It’s confession time.
I am a renowned indoor plant killer. It’s true. Typically when I acquire a new plant, I say a little prayer, cross my fingers and hope it lives to survive my neglect.
Nothing intentional on my part. Life is busy. Kids, work, blogging…then it’s laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, emptying the dishwasher before prep work for dinner.
Then it’s onto homework, music lessons and somehow fitting in a little family fun time.
So when I recommend an indoor plant, this means the plant is foolproof. You almost can’t kill it if you try.
This sums up my feelings for my red prayer plant that I’ve kept alive and thriving for 1.5 years and counting. Time to celebrate the life of this evergreen perennial plant. (Again…thank you Cheri L. for the plants.)
Here’s why you must acquire a red plant plant to add some drama to your dwelling today!
How the red prayer plant got its name
The red prayer plant acquired its name because the leaves fold up every evening resembling hands folded in prayer.
What a sharp looking plant with alternating light and dark two-toned 6 inch green leaves. Leaves that feather in an out for a vibrant green patterned palette.
Red lines stretch across the many shades of green oozing warmth from the center of each leaf. Although I notice the red almost disappears entirely during the winter months when it doesn’t get as much sun.
But the lines come back strong in spring when sun increases. So even though the red prayer plant is tolerant of low-light conditions and will be happy almost anywhere in your home, the light increases the red lines.
Aside from its striking appearance, I like how compact the red prayer plant is. It never gets any taller than 8-12 inches, an ideal bushy plant!
There are a few varieties of Maranta but the most common one is the tricolor variation which is featured in all the pictures in this post. They are quite similar to Calathea plants in looks and care. But the other Maranta plants do not have red veins making them easier to distinguish.
Another common name for the red prayer plant is the Herringbone plant.
Lighting requirements for the red prayer plant
What can I say? My red prayer plant is content. It comes inside at the end of September and heads back outdoors on my shaded front porch when spring hits in early May. It’s a good life!
As long as its getting bright, but indirect light the red prayer plant is happy.
I’ve observed that the leaves of prayer plants tend to follow the light. Over time careful observation will reveal that the leaves fold in and get more compact at night, while they open up with the sun each day.
But never place a red prayer plant will it will receive direct sunlight all day. This is likely to scorch the leaves making them blotchy and they won’t thank you for that. Too intense sun can also cause patches that fade the color.
A windowsill is an ideal location for a red prayer plant to meet its lighting needs. Bright, indirect sun even in winter will help them maintain growth until active growth resumes in spring.
The red prayer plant also likes to chill under a curtain that can shade the plant from direct sun allowing dappled light to shine though.
Temperature & humidity requirements…
Since the red prayer plant is native to Brazil and used to a tropical climate, it does prefer high humidity.
But where I live, that’s simply not possible especially since we have a woodburning stove that makes our home extremely dry. So we run five humidifiers throughout our home not only for the plants but for ourselves.
While this helps increase the humidity in our home for the good of all, I find misting the red prayer plant once or twice a week makes the plant flourish. It also keeps the dust off the leaves!
If you don’t have a humidifier, place a bowl of water near the plant. Or, fill a tray with small stones and add water just to the level of the stones and place the pot on top of the stones.
A prayer plant prefers normal household temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything under 60 degrees and you risk damaging the leaves.
And before you bring your plants in for the winter, it’s always smart to inspect the plant for unwanted travelers like spidermites, mealybugs and aphids all of which are attracted to the red prayer plant.
Pruning & propagating the red prayer plant
After a year of proud ownership of the red prayer plant I did notice it starting to look a little scruffy with brown tinged-leaves.
So I hauled my plant outside and went to work. I cut off about 12 leaves that looked despondent and trimmed the plant back where it looked bulky.
Then I stood back and admired the result. My plant looked better. I was also pleasantly surprised at how in the coming weeks the plant grew fresher and greener leaves to replace the cut ones.
If you notice the plant getting too leggy and spindly the likely culprit is not enough light. Time for a change of scene to a brighter location!
Pruning and re-potting is also the time to consider propagating the red prayer plant. The easiest method is accomplished through division.
After taking the plant out of the pot and laying it on its side, gently pry apart the plant into 2 or 3 clumps untangling the roots as you work them apart. Each new plant must have a good chunk of root and several stems.
Pot these new smaller plants into small, shallow pots keeping them warm and moist until new growth emerges.
A second way to propagate is through stem cuttings that can be taken from spring to early summer. Snip cuttings just below the nodes as close to the bottom of the stem as possible.
Place cuttings in moist peat and perlite and cover is plastic Saran wrap to retain moisture. Place cuttings in a sunny location.
You can also try rooting stem cuttings in water. Take a broken piece of prayer plant, dip into rooting hormone (if you have any) and place in distilled or purified water.
Don’t be discouraged if your first try with cuttings fail, and try it again! Eventually, it works.
Watering requirements for this non-fussy indoor plant
Over the years, I’ve killed far more plants by overwatering them not underwatering them. Most houseplants simple do not like “wet feet” and to sit in standing water.
This is true of the red prayer plant which likes damp soil but not soggy soil. So I tend to check water levels about once a week but only water about every 10 days and this has worked like a charm for me.
I stick my finger in the soil to about an inch or two. If the soil is still moist, I wait to water. If it’s on the drier side, I water.
Overwatering tends to encourage fungal problems. It can also cause the leaves to turn yellow and drop from the plant. But underwatering can also turn the leaves yellow so you must strike a balance.
During the active growing season in spring and summer you’ll water more and less during the winter months.Don’t use super cold water, room temperature water is best and on the warm side at that!
Potting & fertilizer requirements for the red prayer plant
The red prayer plant likes rich, well-draining soil with a pH between 5.5-6 so slightly acidic conditions are best. A peat moss potting mix will do the trick.
If you don’t have any, regular potting soil is fine and eventually you can mix in some sphagnum peat moss or perlite. Perlite is a favorite of mine and I always keep a bag on hand to increase drainage making plants happy.
Using pots with drainage holes is always a good idea. Perlite increases solid drainage as does adding rocks or gravel to the bottom of the pot.
When re-potting a plant, always start with clean, fresh and pre-packaged soil that has no bugs yet or potential weed seeds. It’s never okay to use garden soil for indoor plants.
Only re-pot if your plant becomes root-bound as that causes the plant to grow slower. The best time to re-pot is in spring right become active growth commences. Always choose a pot that is only one or two inches wider than the nursery pot or existing pot.
I like to fertilize my plant every two weeks during the winter months and more during the summer when active growth is taking place. Dilute a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer (10-10-10) to half strength.
Too little fertilizer and you won’t get results from your efforts, but too much fertilizer will either burn the roots or kill the plant entirely. If you notice leaves getting too brown, it could be that you are using too much fertilizer. It’s all about balance!
As you can see for your own eyes~ there’s no faking it! The red prayer plant is healthy and happy spiffing up my indoor space!
I love how the red prayer plant got its name! Your life is so full, the story of a busy mother and wife 🙂
I have four of these plants now. I started with one and I have given some away. Great article. I do keep mine under lights in my plant room where I also grow orchids and other tropicals. Lots of humidity in there.
Such a pretty plant! I also like mother-in-law tongue (aka snake plant) for a hard to kill indoor plant.
So easy to grow and the colors are pretty
I love the colors of this plant. I will look for it at my local nursery.
Pretty plant, I have had one of these long time ago when I wasn’t living in such a dry climate.
Thanks for the tips!
It is pretty! If it doesn’t bloom or make food it isn’t for me.
great information, I want to get one
Thanks for the misting tips!
Nice
Very interesting.
This are some amazing tips and a beautiful plant.
Great! Thanks for the giveaway!
Will have to watch for this one! So pretty and thanks for all the useful info!
This is a very cool plant. Thanks for letting us know about it.
I really like the colors this has. I want one!
colors are great
Definitely a beauty ! : )
I haven’t seen this pretty variety before!
Very pretty plant
I just got a humidifier do thanks for the tip!!!!
Such a pretty plant. We need more variety in the house. Thanks for this article!
Had never heard of this plant. Really unique!
Such a beautiful plant! I would love to have one.
This plant looks so unique.
I had raised these in Belgium and did not know the English name. Thanks.
I have seen these before an always thought the were tough to grow!
Beautiful plants!
I wish I could get serious about a garden now. It’s hard with so much snow.
maybe i could grow this plant!! lol
Thanks for the giveaway!
You always pick classy things to give away
Beautiful plant! I want one
This sounds like a really nice plant.
Seeds! Love ’em. Most of my garden is from seeds from here and there, planted to see if they can tolerate the “soil” in a trailer park. Nasturtiums are happiest, but I’ll try anything.
I really want to get another one of these plants. And thanks to your great tips and info I think it would do better next time.
I can’t wait to get my hands in the soil. I am surviving by growing flowering plants inside.
Would be nice to know if succulents are pet friendly (e.g. not poisonous to cats)
I have never seen this before- and it definitely looks like one I need, as I do have trouble keeping many houseplants alive! The only plant I knew of that closed it’s leaves was the “sensitive plant”, which is totally different- you touch the leaves and they close! My mom and I had them in our apartment when I was a kid!
I have had these off and on all my life. They are nice and easy for me to take care of.
I need an easy peasy houseplant myself.
Nice!
I now have mote outdoor plants than indoor. This tropical would be worth the challenge. Humidifier might help.
I struggle with gardening with the climate here in ND. Oh and those dang Rabbits keep stealing my onions.
I don’t have a lot of luck with house plants. But I would like to give it another try. Prayer plants are so pretty. Wish me luck…
Anything that isn’t easy to kill is the plant for me.
Wow! so pretty !
I have found that I love orchids. They are my favorite!
what a beautiful plant love to know some awesome tips wish I could keep all theplants alive this year 2 of my snake plants died
I gave up on houseplants recently because our new kitten either eats them or destroys them. I need to make sure they aren’t poisonous to cats now first, and I think now that she is older she has been taught not to destroy, knock over, or dig in them so I might get some more. I do love houseplants so much.
I need a green thumb.
I would love one of these plants. I like the uniqueness of the folding leaves at night. It sounds like a great plant to gift to my niece with my grand nephew & niece. They would it’s special powers.
My parents always had 1 or 2 of these plants in the living room, and little jars filled with leaves as my mom made cuttings for friends. A true classic houseplant.
neat plant
Gorgeous. I have a plain one, but that red one is prettier than mine. 🙂
thank you
I have only been successful at killing these plants, lol.
I live in a small condo so this is the perfect sized plant for me! I love the red veins!
Interesting, I like the way it looks.
I used to keep these a long time ago.
This easy Red Prayer Plant seems wonderful to have and care for. I do like it!
I had these plants years ago and forgot how pretty they are. I think I need to get a few.
yup
That’s a neat plant! I just got a bunch of house plants last spring. I love learning about them and watching them grow!
Love this.
My grandma always had these growing!
Very cool, I love the look!
Very interesting article, thank you.
I love plants with the most colors.
WOW! I love orchids but the Red Prayer Plant is absolutely gorgeous.
This prayer plant is so beautiful. Love the detailing in each leaf! Thanks for the information!
What a beautiful plant to grow in your home. The Red Prayer plant is such beautiful colors of the leaves. I also love plants in my home they have so many wonderful pots to plant them in now too.
What a unique plant
I’ve had one for years. I haven’t killed it, but it’s not exactly thriving either.
good to know that you can cut them back to “refresh.” Unfortunately, our home is not laid out well for plants – even low light needs, as we have only two southern facing window, and one of them is under a deep porch overhang. Very pretty plant!
Cheers!
sweet
adding this one to the list
I need this plant for my collection!
Wow another plant that would do wonderful in my house, I run dehumidifiers year round. This one sounds interesting also and my husband is going to kill me if I buy anymore plants.
I entered all three ways.
I really like this new plant The Red Prayer plant . I will see if i can keep this one alive.
I grow this plant…so prolific….easily rooted..makes a great gift
Thanks for all the tips in caring for the Red Prayer Plant. You make it easy to know what to do as a plant parent. My favorite plant is a snake plant. My mom has had one for years and it gets indirect light, no water and she essentially ignores it. The snake plant is also called Mother-in-Laws tongue by lay people.
Sounds like this could be my new favorite houseplant. Non toxic and hard to kill! Thanks for all the information. I really want this beautiful plant in my home.
Easy peasy? I am sure I would find a way to kill it. Which is why I always stick to cacti inside. I can make anything grow outside, But indoors, no such luck.
Is this plant pet friendly?
Love to know why it is called prayer plant
I have never heard of this plant before. It is so pretty!
I have grown red Prayer Plants for years. I have always had good luck with them.
This is a beautiful plant. Thank you for sharing this great information. I have a beautiful one that was my Mom’s, I took home when she passed away. I am so grateful it’s still thriving. It reminds me of her. I was so sad early on because I thought it had died, but it came back. These tips you have shared are true- thanks for the refresher advice because this one does get those brown edges so I need to do some misting. Thanks.