Red Prayer Plant Care Guide

Your complete guide to nurturing a thriving Red Prayer Plant

Your Plant's Story

This beautiful Red Prayer Plant started its journey as a cutting from one of our thriving mother plants in our greenhouse. Each plant carries the strong genetics and resilient energy of its parent, carefully propagated and nurtured until ready for its new home.

The Magic: This mystical plant actually "sleeps" - its leaves fold up at night like praying hands, then open again each morning in a daily dance with the sun!

From Brazilian rainforest to your space: Your prayer plant's ancestors evolved in the dappled light of the forest floor, developing their unique "praying" behavior to maximize light exposure during the day and conserve energy at night.

Hand-selected for you: Every Dirt Witch prayer plant is chosen for its vibrant red veining, healthy root system, and that special plant energy that makes them thrive in home environments.


At a glance

  • Pet Safe

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  • Bright Indirect Light

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  • Beginner-Intermediate

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Introduce your brand

Plant Overview Table
Common Name Red Prayer Plant
Scientific Name Maranta leuconeura 'Erythroneura'
Family Marantaceae (Arrowroot family)
Mature Size 8-12 inches tall, spreads to 18 inches wide
Growth Rate Slow to moderate
Pet Safe ✅ Non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans
Care Level Beginner to Intermediate
Native to Brazilian rainforests

Monthly Care Checklist

Every month, give your prayer plant some love:

  •  Check soil moisture and water as needed

  •  Inspect leaves for pests (especially undersides!)

  •  Wipe leaves clean with damp cloth

  •  Rotate pot 1/4 turn for even growth

  •  Remove any dead/yellowing leaves

  •  Check humidity levels (especially in winter)

Growing season bonus (Spring/Summer):

  •  Apply diluted liquid fertilizer

  •  Consider light pruning for bushier growth

  •  Check if repotting is needed (every 2-3 years)

Hello, World!

Hello, World!

 

Seasonal Care Calendar

  • Spring

    (March-May)

    • Resume regular watering as new growth appears

    • Begin monthly fertilizing

    • Best time for repotting if needed

    • Increase humidity as heating systems turn off

  • Summer

    (June-August)

    • Peak growing season - maintain consistent moisture

    • Continue monthly feeding

    • Watch for spider mites in dry conditions

    • May need watering twice weekly in hot weather

  • Fall

    (September-November)

    • Begin reducing watering frequency

    • Stop fertilizing by late October

    • Prepare for a slower growth period

    • Start increasing humidity as heating begins

  • Winter

    (December-February)

    • Reduce watering - soil takes 2-3 days longer to dry

    • No fertilizing needed

    • Provide extra humidity (this is crucial!)

    • Move away from heat sources but keep in a bright spot

FAQ & Problem-Solving

  • Yellow leaves usually mean watering issues! Check if the soil is soggy (overwatering) or bone dry (underwatering). Also check if it's getting too much direct sunlight, which can bleach and yellow the leaves. Bottom leaves naturally yellow and drop as they age - this is normal.

  • This screams low humidity! Prayer plants need 50-60% humidity. Try a pebble tray, humidifier, or grouping with other plants. Also check if you're using tap water - switch to filtered water if your tap water is hard or heavily treated.

  • First, stick your finger into the soil. If it's dry, your plant needs water. If it's soggy, you may have root rot due to overwatering. Also, check for pests under the leaves and make sure it's not near heat sources or cold drafts.

  • Faded colors usually mean too much direct sunlight (move to bright indirect light) or not enough light at all (move closer to a window). During the growing season, make sure you're fertilizing monthly to support those vibrant colors.


  • Don't worry, your plant isn't broken!

    This usually happens when there's too much artificial light at night (plants need 12+ hours of darkness) or not enough bright light during the day. Also, check if the plant is stressed from other care issues like watering or pests.

  • Eeek! You've got spider mites! It can happen. These tiny pests love dry conditions. Increase humidity immediately, wipe leaves with a damp cloth, and spray with neem oil. They hate humidity, so a humidifier is your best defense.

  • Those are mealybugs - annoying but treatable! Dab them with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to kill them instantly. For larger infestations, use insecticidal soap spray. Check all your plants as they can spread.

  • Those are fungus gnats - they love moist soil. Let your soil dry out slightly between waterings and use yellow sticky traps to catch the adults. They're more annoying than harmful, but they indicate you might be overwatering.

  • Every 2-3 years in spring, or when roots are coming out of the drainage holes. Prayer plants actually like being slightly pot-bound, so don't rush to upsize. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger than the current one.


  • Absolutely!

    The easiest way is division during repotting. Gently separate the root clumps with your hands - each division needs roots and several stems. Plant in similar soil and keep warm and humid until established.