Houseplant Profile

Prayer Plant. Beautiful, affordable, perfect for a warm, humid room By Georgie Kennedy

Houseplants are hot. Prices are through the roof for tiny cuttings of exotic tropical vegetation. No wonder: they're non-judgmental companions, distractions from our desperate yearning to be with the ones we love. At any price point, they're cheaper than impulse-purchase puppies. If you have room in your heart for one more, why not experiment with prayer plant (Maranta or Calathea), a beautiful attention-seeker? It’s still available for a reasonable sum.

New prayer plant leaves emerge from the centre stalk fully formed, like rolled wafer cookies, and open to reveal fascinating designs on the top surface. Maranta leuconeura kerchoveana foliage is elliptical with dark green blotches. Leaves lie flat during the day and fold up at night like a pair of praying hands. Fast-growing prayer plant flourishes in an environment similar to its home in the rainforests of South America.

Container: The thin roots are comfortable in shallow, well-drained containers. Use soil based potting mix.

Light: Place it near a north or east facing window. Prolonged exposure to sunlight beaming in a south or west window can burn its delicate leaves. Water and Humidity: During the growing period, keep the soil moist using room temperature water. In the winter, allow the soil surface to dry slightly. Some growers say the brown crisping of leaf edges is caused by chemicals in treated water and recommend using filtered water. If you’d rather not go to that expense, try letting tap water sit out for 24 hours. Keep the humidity level high with regular misting and an occasional shower.

Feeding: Add liquid plant food to the water every two weeks in the active season, less often in winter.

Propagation: Invest in a small plant and observe it carefully. If it gets unwieldy, simply divide into two or three parent plants that can be repotted together or separately. Any cuttings with nodes attached can go directly into the soil. Within two or three months, your plants will be lush.

Pests: The rolled leaves provide perfect hiding places for spider mites or mealy bugs. If you detect an infestation, get rid of the plant and start again. You won’t be sad over this loss, because you spent very little in the first place. If you have some rooted cuttings, all the better.

Good luck with your prayer plant. It’s an ideal substitute for that puppy or kitten you were considering.