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The prayer plant is a very unique table plant
for your home or office. The large patterned leaves with hues of red, green, brown, and cream lift up and close each evening
and open again the next morning. It also gets small, but rather insignificant flowers. This plant loves a warm humid environment.
Prayer plants are used as gifts after the death of a loved one.
Houseplant 411 for the iPhone & i Pod Touch
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CARE OF PRAYER PLANTS
Light: Prayer plants do well in medium to high light, but no direct sun. When there is not enough light: the leaves close at night and do not fully open during the day. When a prayer plant gets too much light the color
in the leaves starts to fade.
Water: Keep your plant moist but never soggy.
Unlike most houseplants, a prayer plant does not like to dry out between watering.
Temperature
& Humidity: A prayer plant likes a warm humid environment. Although regular household temperatures are fine, the
humidity in our homes is often too low. You can increase the humidity by grouping plants together, misting your prayer plant,
placing it in your bathroom or kitchen, or putting a small humidifier or bowl of water near it. Avoid sudden temperature changes
and draughts.
Fertilizer: This is an acid loving houseplant. Use a basic
houseplant food like Miracid at ½ strength every two weeks in the spring and summer. It’s not necessary to fertilize
in the winter and fall.
Potting: Prayer plants have very shallow roots so
always plant them in shallow pots.
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| Prayer Plant |
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| Picture by Kurt Stueber (GNU) |
PRAYER PLANT FAQ’S
1. I have my prayer plant sitting on a windowsill. It was doing great, but in January the leaves
started to get brown around the edges. Am I watering it too much?The leaves of your plant are probably touching
the cold glass of the window. Try moving your prayer plant to a warmer location. 2.
My prayer plant is getting flowers. Should I cut them off or leave them alone?The plant won’t develop leaves
as quickly when it is also producing flowers. Personally I like the leaves of a prayer plant more than the flowers so I always
cut the flowers off. 3. Why are the beautiful colors in the leaves of my prayer
plant starting to fade? Should I give it more fertilizer?The leaves of a prayer plant usually fade because it
is getting too much light. Move your plant to a shadier location and see if that solves the problem. 4. A friend suggested that I give my plant left over tea, is that a good idea?A prayer plant is an acid
loving plant; tea is acidic so it’s not a bad idea. 5. Why are the leaves
of my plant shriveling up? The tips of some are turning brown also. There could be several causes; be sure your
plant is not in the direct sun; if your water is heavily chlorinated, allow it to sit overnight before watering your prayer
plant with it; your room may not have enough humidity, or may be too cold.
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