Prayer plants are some of the most beautiful and unique houseplants around. Their leaves fold up at night as if in prayer, giving them their common name. However, prayer plants can start to decline and die if not cared for properly.
If your prayer plant is dying, don’t give up hope! With the right care, you can often bring a prayer plant back from the brink. In this complete guide, we’ll go over the top reasons your prayer plant may be dying and give step-by-step instructions on how to revive it.
Why Is My Prayer Plant Dying?
There are a few key things that can cause a prayer plant to decline Here are some of the most common reasons prayer plants die
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Overwatering – Prayer plants prefer moist but not soggy soil. If the soil stays too wet, it can lead to root rot. This causes the leaves to turn yellow or brown and droop.
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Underwatering – While prayer plants don’t like soggy soil they also don’t tolerate drying out. If the soil gets too dry between waterings the leaves will start to curl up and turn brown at the edges.
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Low humidity – Prayer plants naturally grow in tropical rainforests with high humidity Dry indoor air can quickly dehydrate and damage their leaves
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Insufficient light – Prayer plants need bright, indirect light. Too little light will cause leggy, weak growth. But direct sun will scorch their leaves.
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Temperature stress – These tropical plants thrive in temperatures between 60-80°F. Temperatures lower than 60°F can shock them.
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Pests – Spider mites, mealybugs, and other common houseplant pests may attack prayer plants.
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Diseases – Root rot, leaf spot, and other fungal or bacterial diseases can also cause prayer plants to die back.
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Transplant stress – Repotting at the wrong time or incorrect repotting practices can shock prayer plants.
Now that we know why prayer plants die, let’s go over how to revive a dying plant.
Step-By-Step Guide To Revive A Dying Prayer Plant
Follow these steps to bring your prayer plant back from the brink:
Step 1: Assess The Damage
Start by checking over the plant to determine how far gone it is. Are just some leaves yellowing or is the entire plant wilted and brown? This will give you an idea of your chances of saving it.
Also look for any pests on the plant. Check the underside of leaves and at the base of stems for small insects or webs. Finding the underlying cause is key to reviving the plant.
Step 2: Improve Growing Conditions
Go through the list of optimal prayer plant care conditions below and make adjustments to get your plant back on track:
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Water – Feel the soil. If soggy, stop watering and let it dry out somewhat. If bone dry, give it a thorough soaking. Then water only when top inch of soil is partly dry.
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Light – Move to a spot with bright, indirect light to encourage new growth. Avoid direct sun.
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Temperature – Keep between 60-80°F. Move away from hot and cold drafts.
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Humidity – Increase humidity around the plant by misting, using a pebble tray, or getting a humidifier.
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Air circulation – Stagnant air can encourage pests and diseases. Improve air flow with a small fan.
Getting these basic conditions right will help strengthen the plant against further decline.
Step 3: Remove Dead Foliage
Prune off any leaves that are more than 50% yellow, brown or shriveled. This reduces stress on the plant. Sterilize pruners between each cut with isopropyl alcohol to avoid spreading disease.
Also trim off dead or dying stems back to healthy growth. This encourages new shoots to form.
Step 4: Treat Pests And Diseases
If you found any pests or signs of disease in Step 1, now is the time to treat them:
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For insects like spider mites, spray plant with insecticidal soap. Be sure to coat the undersides of leaves.
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For fungal issues like root rot, repot in fresh soil & pot. Trim off damaged roots before repotting.
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Quarantine plant away from others to avoid spread. Throw away infested soil. Sterilize pot & tools.
Treating these issues can bring an unhealthy prayer plant back from the brink. But you must continue monitoring for recurrence.
Step 5: Fertilize Sparingly
Prayer plants are sensitive to excess fertilizer. But a weak dose can help stimulate regrowth after decline.
Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at 1/4 strength. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the active growing season (spring through summer).
Step 6: Be Patient
With the right adjustments to care, most prayer plants can rebound from significant decline. But it takes time and patience for new growth to appear.
Keep an eye on your plant and continue to tweak conditions as needed. You should see signs of new life within a few weeks.
How To Prevent A Healthy Prayer Plant From Declining
The best way to deal with a dying prayer plant is to not let it get to that point in the first place!
Here are some tips to keep a healthy prayer plant thriving:
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is partly dry. Prayer plants like moist but not wet soil.
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Use distilled or rain water if possible. Tap water containing salts, chlorine, or fluoride may harm prayer plant’s sensitive leaves.
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Keep humidity around 60-80%. Use a humidifier or pebble tray if your home’s air is very dry.
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Situate in bright, indirect light. A North or East facing window is often ideal.
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Repot each spring into a pot one size larger. Prayer plants have shallow roots and need repotting.
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Fertilize monthly during spring & summer with a balanced houseplant food diluted to 1/2 strength.
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Prune off spent flowers and any dead, damaged, or yellowed leaves.
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Check frequently for pests like spider mites that can quickly infest plants. Take action at first signs.
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Avoid cold drafts and keep temps between 60-80°F – cooler at night.
Follow these tips and you can avoid many of the issues that cause prayer plant decline. Pay close attention to your plant’s needs and make adjustments as required. With proper care, your prayer plant should thrive indoors for many years.
Common Prayer Plant Varieties
There are over 40 species of Maranta, the genus that contains the prayer plant. Some popular prayer plant varieties include:
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Maranta leuconeura – The most common. Has oval green leaves with light green veining.
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Maranta leuconeura erythroneura – Leaves have bright red veins.
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Maranta leuconeura kerchoviana – Leaves have purple spots between the veins.
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Maranta massangeana – Leaves have striking zebra-like stripes.
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Maranta veitchii – Rounder leaves that are olive green with silver splotches.
Different prayer plant varieties have slightly different appearances and growth habits. But in general they require similar care. Follow the tips in this guide to keep any type of prayer plant houseplant thriving.
Final Thoughts On Reviving Dying Prayer Plants
Prayer plants are wonderfully unique rainforest plants. But they require some specialized care to thrive as houseplants.
The most common prayer plant problems have to do with inconsistent watering, low humidity, insufficient light, temperature extremes and pests.
Fortunately, prayer plants are resilient plants. With some tweaks to their growing conditions and vigilant care, it’s often possible to being a dying prayer plant back from the brink.
Be patient, attend to your plant’s basic needs, and remove diseased foliage. Over time, you should see new green growth. With the right adjustments, most prayer plants can make a full recovery.
How to Save and Revive a Dying Houseplant: Saving My Prayer Plant from the Brink of Death!
FAQ
How do you save a dying prayer plant?
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1. Check for Overwatering:If the soil is soggy, stop watering immediately and allow the soil to dry out completely. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensure good drainage.
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Reddit · r/plantclinichttps://www.reddit.comHow do I save my dying Prayer Plant? : r/plantclinic – RedditJan 28, 2024 — If you watered it after returning home then the soil should be plenty moist since the plant in its current condition cannot use much water. Over wat…
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2. Address Root Rot:If root rot is suspected (dark, mushy roots), carefully remove the plant from its pot, trim away any rotted roots, and repot in fresh, well-draining potting mix.
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3. Increase Humidity:Prayer plants thrive in high humidity. Misting the leaves, using a humidifier, or placing the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water can help increase humidity.
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White Flower Farmhttps://www.whiteflowerfarm.comPrayer Plant Care – White Flower FarmIf you notice this, increase the humidity with a humidifier or by setting small trays of water around your plant. … Low levels of humidity can also cause Pray…
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4. Provide Bright, Indirect Sunlight:While prayer plants can tolerate low light, they prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
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5. Remove Dead Leaves:Trim away any dead or damaged leaves to encourage new, healthy growth.
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6. Check for Pests:Inspect the plant for pests like mealybugs or spider mites. Treat any infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
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White Flower Farmhttps://www.whiteflowerfarm.comPrayer Plant Care – White Flower FarmIf you notice this, increase the humidity with a humidifier or by setting small trays of water around your plant. … Low levels of humidity can also cause Pray…
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MasterClasshttps://www.masterclass.comPrayer Plant Care: 9 Tips for Growing Prayer Plants – 2025Aug 16, 2021 — Treat pests and diseases. With prayer plants, you want to watch out for mealybugs and spider mites. Treat an infestation by spraying the plant light…
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GrowJoyhttps://www.growjoy.comMaranta Red Prayer HouseplantMaranta Red Prayer Houseplant – Inspect regularly for pests like spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs – Treat infestations with neem oil or insecticidal soap as n…
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7. Repotting:If the plant is in a pot with poor drainage, consider repotting it into a new pot with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
What does an unhealthy prayer plant look like?
Recognizing when your prayer plant is struggling is crucial for its recovery. Look out for drooping or wilting leaves, which often signal distress. Another red flag is leaf discoloration. If you notice yellowing or browning edges, it’s time to investigate further.
How often should a prayer plant be watered?
- General Rule: Water every 1-2 weeks, allowing the top half of the soil to dry out.
- Seasonal Adjustments:
- Spring/Summer: Water more frequently, potentially every 5-7 days, as the plant is actively growing.
- Fall/Winter: Reduce watering to every 10-14 days, as the plant’s growth slows down.
- Spring/Summer: Water more frequently, potentially every 5-7 days, as the plant is actively growing.
- Signs of Overwatering: Yellowing leaves, rotting stems, and a musty smell can indicate overwatering.
- Signs of Underwatering: Curling leaves with brown tips can indicate the plant is not getting enough moisture.
- Soil Type: Use a well-draining potting mix to help prevent root rot.
- Water Quality: Prayer plants are sensitive to hard tap water, so using filtered or distilled water is recommended.
How do I bring my dying plant back to life?
- Look for Signs of Life. …
- Check if You Have Overwatered Your Plant. …
- On the Same Note, Check if You Have Underwatered. …
- Remove Dead Leaves. …
- Cut Back the Stems. …
- Be Cautious About the Lighting. …
- Provide Additional Nutrients. …
- Wait at Least a Month.
Why is my prayer plant dying?
The most common reasons for dying prayer plants are due to underwatering, low humidity, or temperatures lower than 60°F. Prayer plants are tropical plants that prefer warm temperatures and humid air. If the temperature is too cold, the leaves turn yellow and die back. Too much dry air causes the leaves to wilt and turn brown.
What are the most common prayer plant problems?
Here are 5 of the most common prayer plant problems, why they happen, and how to fix them: 1. Drooping or Wilting Leaves Drooping, curling, or wilting leaves are often the first sign of trouble with prayer plants Healthy prayer plant leaves should be flat and firm.
How do I know if my prayer plant is dying?
Before we move on to the causes and treatments of the dying prayer plant, it is crucial to know the signs. Many of the signs of distress or illness for your prayer plant will come in the leaves. Look for signs when you prayer plants is curling leaves or if the leaves have become dried out.
Do prayer plants droop?
Tropical plants like the Prayer plant thrive in high humid conditions. They are native to conditions where the air and environment are moist. If you cannot maintain a humidity level above 50-60%, the plant will exhibit signs like crispy leaves, limpness, and droopiness. If your home is frequent with dry air, your Prayer plant is in grave danger.
How to save a dying prayer plant?
If the gorgeous plant has a pest infestation, you can treat the foliage by spraying it with water and doing a neem oil treatment. So, while prayer plants are delicate, there are a lot of emergency measures you can take to save your dying plant.
Why is my prayer plant not growing?
Many of the signs of distress or illness for your prayer plant will come in the leaves. Look for signs when you prayer plants is curling leaves or if the leaves have become dried out. There are other signs, too, that can help you identify why your prayer plant is not growing. Here are some of the top signs and their causes: