The Angel Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura ‘Angel’) is a popular houseplant admired for its striking, intricately patterned foliage and unique daily leaf movements. Its common name, “prayer plant,” comes from its leaves folding upwards at night, resembling praying hands, and unfurling with morning light. This diurnal rhythm is appealing.
Angel Prayer Plant Care
Light
Angel Prayer Plants thrive in bright, indirect light, mimicking their native rainforest understory. Direct sunlight scorches leaves, causing fading or brown spots. Insufficient light leads to leggy growth and diminished vibrancy. Position a few feet from a north-facing window or a window with a sheer curtain.
Watering
Maintain consistent moisture, but never waterlog the soil. Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil feels dry. Overwatering leads to root rot; underwatering causes leaves to curl and brown. Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater; they are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water.
Humidity and Temperature
High humidity is important, reflecting the Angel Prayer Plant’s tropical origins. Low humidity causes browning leaf tips and edges. Increase humidity with a pebble tray, grouping plants, or a room humidifier. The ideal temperature range is 65-80°F (18-27°C), as they are sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 60°F (16°C).
Soil and Fertilizing
Angel Prayer Plants grow best in a well-draining, peat-based potting mix. A suitable mix includes two parts sphagnum peat moss, one part loamy soil, and one part perlite or coarse sand for drainage and aeration. During the active growing season (spring through fall), fertilize every two to four weeks with a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength. Reduce or cease fertilizing in winter when growth slows.
Repotting Angel Prayer Plant
Repot an Angel Prayer Plant when it outgrows its container, indicated by circling roots or slowed growth. This occurs every one to two years, ideally in early spring. Choose a new pot only one or two inches larger in diameter than the previous one, ensuring it has drainage holes.
To repot, gently remove the plant from its old container, careful not to damage the root ball. Loosen circling roots to encourage outward growth. Place a layer of fresh, well-draining potting mix at the bottom of the new pot, position the plant, and fill around the roots, leaving about an inch from the rim. After repotting, water thoroughly to settle the soil and reduce transplant shock.
Propagating Angel Prayer Plant
Propagate Angel Prayer Plants through stem cuttings, ideally in spring or early summer. To take a cutting, select a healthy stem with several leaves and cut approximately one inch below a leaf node using a clean, sharp knife or scissors. Ensure each cutting has a few healthy leaves, removing any that would be submerged.
Place the stem cutting in a clean glass jar with room-temperature water, ensuring the node is submerged and leaves remain above the waterline. Position the jar in bright, indirect light, changing the water every few days. Roots form within three to four weeks; once one to two inches long, transfer to a pot with well-draining soil.
Troubleshooting Common Angel Prayer Plant Issues
Browning Leaf Tips
Browning leaf tips on Angel Prayer Plants indicate environmental imbalances. Low humidity is a frequent cause. Inconsistent watering, or allowing the soil to dry out excessively, also contributes. Fluoride or chlorine in tap water can lead to brown tips. Increase ambient humidity, maintain a regular watering schedule, and use filtered or distilled water to resolve these symptoms.
Curling Leaves
When Angel Prayer Plant leaves curl, it signals stress. Underwatering is a common culprit, as the plant curls leaves to conserve moisture. Too much direct light can also cause leaves to curl as a protective mechanism against intense sun exposure. Cold temperatures or sudden drafts similarly induce leaf curling. Adjust watering frequency, relocate to a shadier spot, and ensure consistent, warmer temperatures to help leaves unfurl.
Pests
Angel Prayer Plants can be affected by common houseplant pests like spider mites and mealybugs. These pests feed on plant sap, leading to symptoms such as curling leaves or sticky residue. Regularly inspect the plant, especially the undersides of leaves, for early detection. For treatment, wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove pests, or apply insecticidal soap or neem oil for persistent infestations.