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Prayer plants, or Maranta leuconeura, are some of the most unique houseplants to have in your collection. Not only do they boast striking variegated foliage that appears painted, they also move their leaves in and out with daylight, mimicking praying hands and earning their common name.
And their special qualities dont end there, as you may not realise prayer plants actually make the list of indoor flowering plants. However, while its true prayer plants can flower, it isnt always so easy to get them to do so at home. It requires creating the right growing environment and providing the right care for prayer plants to flower.
Here, a horticulture expert reveals all about how and when prayer plants flower, so you can make some adjustments to your plant care regime and encourage blooms to appear.
As a houseplant enthusiast who’s been growing prayer plants for years I get super excited when folks ask me about prayer plant flowers! Today I’m gonna spill all the tea about whether these gorgeous blooms are something to celebrate or stress about.
The Short Answer
Lemme cut to the chase – if your prayer plant is flowering, it’s actually a GOOD thing! It means you’re totally crushing it as a plant parent. Unlike some drama queen plants that die after blooming (cough bromeliads cough), prayer plants keep on living their best life even after putting on their flower show.
What Do Prayer Plant Flowers Look Like?
Okay real talk – don’t expect some mega-flashy flowers here. The blooms are
- Small and kinda subtle
- White, light purple, or pale pink in color
- Similar to sweet pea or snapdragon flowers
- Growing on tall, skinny stems
- Usually appear in spring/early summer
The funny thing is, most peeps grow these plants for their stunning leaves (which look like they’ve been painted by a tiny plant artist), not the flowers. But when those flower spikes pop up, it’s like getting a gold star for awesome plant care!
Why Is Your Prayer Plant Blooming?
Here’s the deal – your prayer plant is blooming because you’re giving it exactly what it wants, These tropical divas only flower when they feel like they’re living in their natural rainforest home Here’s what you must be doing right
- Temperature game on point (65-75°F)
- Humidity levels are perfect (60-80%)
- Got that partial shade situation figured out
- Keeping the soil just right (moist but not soggy)
- Protecting it from drafts like it’s your firstborn
Should You Keep or Remove the Flowers?
This is where it gets interesting! While the flowers are totes adorable, here’s what I recommend:
- If you’re all about leaf growth: Snip those flower stalks as soon as they appear
- If you’re curious: Let them do their thing for a few months
- If you’re indecisive: Know that the blooms can last up to 4 months (but individual flowers only party for a few days)
Pro Tips for Getting Your Prayer Plant to Bloom
Want your prayer plant to put on a flower show? Here’s my tried-and-true recipe for success:
️ Temperature: Keep it cozy (65-75°F) Humidity: Think tropical rainforest vibes Soil: Well-draining but nutrient-rich Water: Regular drinks when top inch feels dry Fertilizer: High-phosphorus bloom booster in spring (half strength)Common Questions I Get Asked
Is it rare for prayer plants to bloom indoors?
Yup! It’s like seeing a unicorn in your living room. When it happens, you’re definitely doing something right!
Do all types of prayer plants flower?
Even the fancy fishbone prayer plant (Ctenanthe burle-marxii) can bloom when it’s living its best life.
Will blooming hurt my plant?
Nah, your plant will be fine! It might slow down on making new leaves while it’s flowering, but that’s totally normal.
My Personal Experience
Last spring, my prayer plant surprised me with flowers for the first time. NGL, I freaked out a bit thinking something was wrong! But after doing some research and watching how happy my plant stayed, I learned to enjoy these little blooming moments as signs that I’m not completely failing at this plant parent thing.
Final Thoughts
Remember, seeing flowers on your prayer plant is like getting a high-five from Mother Nature herself. Whether you choose to keep the blooms or snip them off is totally up to you – there’s no wrong answer here!
Keep growing and glowing! ✨
Pro Tip: Want your prayer plant to focus on those gorgeous leaves instead? Just trim off the flower stalks when they appear. Your plant will redirect that energy into making more of those stunning painted-looking leaves we all love!
Why is my prayer plant flowering but not growing new leaves?
If youve been able to get your prayer plant to flower, you may notice it has stopped producing so many new leaves. Horticulturalist Gail Pabst of the National Garden Bureau explains: Blooming diverts the plant energy from producing new leaves, so some remove the flowers to encourage increased foliage growth. You can simply use essential pruning tools or sharp scissors (from Walmart) to cut off faded flower spikes. Provide optimal prayer plant care going forward to encourage leafy growth.
Do prayer plants flower? (Image credit: Panther Media GmbH via Alamy)
Yes, all prayer plants will flower although it is not as common when grown indoors, says horticulturalist Gail Pabst of the National Garden Bureau.
There are around 50 types of prayer plants with some popular varieties including the dark and pink Fascinator and the chartreuse Lemon Lime. As Gail mentions, all types have the ability to flower, and they often do in their native environment of Brazilian tropical rainforests.
They flower in the spring after winter dormancy when they are starting new growth. They can flower continuously, into spring and summer, says Gail.
Like other indoor plants that can flower all year round, youll spot prayer plant flowers on slender flower spikes. They tend to be white, purple, or pink, and are gem-sized, similar to the flowers found on different types of spider plants.
The reason its tricky to get a prayer plant to flower in a home environment is its difficult to recreate the tropical environment it usually blooms in. However, Gail notes there are a few things you can do to encourage blooming.
Rare as it is for them to bloom, prayer plants bloom when they are happy. They are happy when they are healthy and in ideal conditions.
To encourage flowering, you need to maintain a consistent temperature between 65 – 75°F, a humid environment, and bright indirect light, Gail explains.
Alternatively, use indoor greenhouse ideas or consider moving your prayer plant into your greenhouse for the warmest season.
Gail is a passionate horticulturist with over 25 years experience in the industry. She is an avid home gardener too and loves to try out the newest varieties and techniques. Gails work with the National Garden Bureau and the All-America Selection has helped her to continue their mission of inspiring and teaching gardening with others.