Prayer Plant Outdoors

It can thrive outdoors only in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 11 and 12, so it's typically cultivated indoors. Prayer plant care isn't difficult as long as you address its specific needs. As a tropical plant, it has distinct requirements for humidity, temperature and water.

Can a prayer plant go outside in the summer?

Most people choose to grow their Prayer plants indoors. However, keep in mind that you may grow your plant outdoors, as long as you don't live in a very cold area.

How cold can prayer plants tolerate?

As prayer plants are tropical plants, they do not thrive when temperatures dip too far below 70 °F (21 °C). Colder temperatures and dry air will cause the prayer plant's leaves to shrivel and turn brown.

Where is the best place to put a prayer plant?

Hang or set your prayer plant near a window where it will receive indirect sunlight. Never set your plant in direct sunlight because the sun will scorch the plant's leaves or the leaves will develop blotches or patches and fade in color intensity. 1 Prayer plants are generally tolerant of lower light areas.

Can prayer plants survive winter?

Prayer plants can grow indoors year-round, making them attractive houseplants any time of year, but especially during the cold winter months. Prayer plants do best in high-humidity, low-light conditions (partial to full shade), and moist but well-draining soil.

Do prayer plants like full sun?

While prayer plants can tolerate low light conditions, they do best in bright, indirect light. They don't like direct sunlight. Light that's too bright can bleach your prayer plant's leaves, so if your plant's leaves begin to appear washed out, try moving it into lower light conditions.

Are prayer plants hard to keep alive?

The Red Prayer Plant is an easy plant—place it in a sunny spot, keep it's soil damp, and mist it's leaves once a week and it will flourish.

How long do prayer plants live?

Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season and prune up to three times per year as desired. Getting these factors right is the key to producing healthy, long-lasting plants. In many cases, prayer plants can live well over thirty years.

How long does a prayer plant last?

In most cases, these semi-perennial plants only last between 3 to 5-years before they start to die off.

Do prayer plants like tap water?

Water Quality There may be too much fluoride, salt or chlorine in your tap water–especially if you use a water softener. Water your Prayer Plant with distilled water or leave a pitcher of tap water uncovered overnight so the minerals can evaporate before watering.

Should I cut the brown tips off my prayer plant?

Any time you see a leaf turning yellow or brown on your Prayer Plant, or if it accidentally gets torn or broken, go ahead and cut that part off. Unfortunately, a damaged leaf can't regain its health and will eventually die and fall off anyway. A quick removal will keep your plant healthy and looking good.

Why do prayer plant leaves turn yellow?

While Marantaceae houseplants originate from wet tropical areas and are therefore moisture-lovers, they also require good soil drainage. Letting your prayer plant sit in waterlogged soil won't do it any good. Left in such conditions, the lack of oxygen around the roots can cause its leaves to turn yellow and even die.

How often should a prayer plant be watered?

Water every 1–2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out half way down between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Marantas can be sensitive to hard tap water. Try using filtered water or leaving water out overnight before using.

How do I know if my prayer plant is happy?

Healthy Prayer Plant leaves should be firm and flat. A droopy plant may also have curling leaves and/or soft stems. Remember that the leaves will point downward during the day because this plant moves in response to the light levels. Check it in the late evening to see if the plant still looks droopy or not.

Do prayer plants need deep pots?

Pot requirements: Prayer plant has shallow roots, so a pot that is somewhat shallow and wide is more suitable than one that is tall and deep. Plant in a pot with adequate drainage holes that is slightly larger than the root ball.

Should I cut back my prayer plant?

Pruning two or three times a year (best times are in fall and spring) helps to encourage bushy growth. Pruning a prayer plant also helps to remove any leggy stems or dead leaves.

Will prayer plant leaves grow back?

During their dormant season, which generally takes place over the winter, a prayer plant's leaves will often die completely, but this doesn't mean the plant itself is dead. If provided with bright light, the leaves will likely grow back in the spring.

What is special about a prayer plant?

The prayer plants (also called praying hands, Obedience Plant) gets its name for its unique habit of raising the leaves to an upright position at night time like the way children put their hands together to pray. The leaves fold like hands during prayer.

Do prayer plants get big?

Prayer plants grow 10 to 12 inches tall and can spread 15 to 18 inches wide. In a large mixed planter, prayer plants make ideal “fillers” where their lush leaves blend well with other houseplants. Plus, prayer plants help clear the air in your home by filtering indoor air pollutants.

How do I make my prayer plant bushy?

If you want to make your prayer plant bushy, prune it. Use a sterilized pair of garden scissors and clip the stems right above a leaf node. The prayer plant will respond by sending out new shoots directly below the cut area, making for a bushier appearance!