Did you know that some plants can close their leaves at night? The prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) has fascinated botanists for centuries with its unique ability to mimic nightly prayers and sleep cycles. Their dramatic effect of raising, folding, and closing the leaves during the evening has captivated many — but what makes these unusual plants do this?
Below you’ll find the fascinating science behind why prayer plants close at night, how to care for them, and how even a little plant can make all the difference in your home!
Hey plant lovers! Today I’m super excited to share something that’s been blowing my mind lately – the incredible movement of prayer plants! As someone who’s been growing these beauties for years, I still get amazed watching their daily dance. Let’s dive into why these plants literally “pray” and move around like they’re doing yoga throughout the day.
What’s This Movement All About?
So here’s the deal – prayer plants (mainly from the Marantaceae family) do this cool thing called nyctinasty. In simple terms, they move their leaves up and down during a 24-hour cycle. During the day, their leaves spread out flat, but come evening, they fold up like hands in prayer (hence the name!).
The Main Types That Show This Movement
The most common prayer plants that show this behavior include:
- Maranta leuconeura
- Calathea species
- Stromanthe
- Ctenanthe
How Do They Actually Move?
Here’s where it gets really interesting! The movement happens thanks to something called a pulvinus – it’s like a little joint at the base of each leaf. Think of it as the plant’s tiny hydraulic system:
- The pulvinus contains special cells filled with liquid
- These cells respond to light changes
- When they fill up or empty, they create pressure changes
- This pressure makes the leaves move up or down
Why Do They Do This Dance?
No one’s 100% sure why prayer plants move, but scientists have some pretty cool theories:
Theory #1: The Water Saver
- Leaves spread out during day to catch rain
- Folding at night helps retain water
- Water droplets trickle down to roots instead of evaporating
Theory #2: The Survival Strategy
- Folded leaves = smaller target for predators
- Might help protect against night-feeding insects
- Could help regulate temperature better
Theory #3: The Multi-Purpose Move
TBH, it might be all of these reasons combined! Plants are smart like that.
When My Prayer Plant Won’t “Pray”
Sometimes your prayer plant might stop moving. Don’t panic! Here’s what might be going on:
-
Light Issues
- Too little light during day
- Too much light at night
- Not enough darkness to trigger movement
-
Water Problems
- Not enough water = no movement
- Cells need water to create pressure
- Keep soil consistently moist
-
Environmental Stress
- Wrong temperature
- Low humidity
- Recent repotting shock
Tips to Keep Your Prayer Plant Moving
-
Give it proper light cycles
- Bright indirect light during day
- Dark period at night
- No artificial light when sleeping
-
Water properly
- Keep soil moist but not soggy
- Use filtered water if possible
- Maintain high humidity
-
Create the right environment
- Warm temps (65-75°F)
- High humidity (50%+)
- Protection from drafts
My Personal Experience
I remember when I first got my prayer plant – I legit thought something was wrong with it when I saw the leaves moving! Now I love watching this daily ritual. Sometimes I even take time-lapse videos because it’s so cool to watch.
Fun Fact Corner!
Did you know that prayer plants aren’t the only movers and shakers in the plant world? Other plants like Venus flytraps, sensitive plants (Mimosa pudica), and even some calatheas show similar movements. It’s like they’re having their own little dance party!
Final Thoughts
Prayer plants are truly amazing creatures that remind us how dynamic and alive our houseplants really are. Whether they’re moving to save water, hide from predators, or just showing off their cool tricks, they’re definitely one of nature’s most fascinating shows.
Remember, if your prayer plant stops moving, don’t freak out! Just check the basics – light, water, and environment – and give it some time to adjust. These plants can be a bit dramatic sometimes (aren’t we all?), but with the right care, they’ll get back to their daily yoga routine in no time!
Have you noticed your prayer plant doing its evening prayers? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear about your experiences with these amazing plants!
P.S. If you’re thinking about getting a prayer plant, just do it! They might be a bit high-maintenance sometimes, but watching those leaves move is totally worth it!
Why Do Prayer Plants Close Their Leaves at Night
credit: Feey via Unsplash
Many people with prayer plants experience this movement and wonder why it occurs. There are actually several potential reasons a prayer plant would close up in the dark.
Nyctinasty refers to movements that occur because of the lessening of light as the day turns into night. Darkness may trigger the closing of these leaves, as it serves to protect photosynthesizing tissue from harm caused by a lack of light.
While prayer plants may appear to have a routine for when their leaves close and open up each day, this phenomenon is actually an adaptation from nature that helps keep its cells safe from damage.
Although this idea is the most accepted explanation, reports suggest other factors that have contradicted it.
While diseases and infections are rare among these plants, pests such as mealybugs, aphids, and spider mites can still be a problem. Closing their leaves helps protect them from pesky insects which may feed on the leaves and cause harm to the plant. By closing up when they sense unsafe conditions outside, prayer plants maximize their chances of survival against these common insect threats.
Although, this curious phenomenon has been the topic of debate among gardeners for years. Because spider mites are active at night, but aphids are active during the day, this may not be the best justification for why the prayer plant closes its leaves at night.
This adaptation may help prayer plants survive and thrive in tropical environments where high humidity can be an issue. By folding up their leaves, prayer plants can decrease the surface area exposed, reducing the chances of evening dew forming and damaging their delicate foliage.
Furthermore, this behavior also reduces the risk of disease caused by excessive leaf wetness or damp conditions. With these special adaptations, prayer plants can take advantage of the warm and humid climate while avoiding potential pitfalls.
How Does All This Work?
credits: Maritxu via Shutterstock
The secret behind prayer plants’ circadian rhythm lies in their pulvinus, a motor organ at the base of each leaf. This unique structure helps regulate turgor pressure inside cells, which allows prayer plants to respond to changes in light.
During the day when light is strong, water pressure builds up as these cells absorb more and more moisture. As darkness falls and light weakens, water pressure decreases — causing the cells to relax back into their original shape. This relaxation then causes the leaves to curl and close up for the night.
Easy Prayer Plant Care / Grow Miraculous Maranta Prayer Plants
FAQ
Why do prayer plants pray?
So now we know how prayer plants pray, but it doesn’t really explain why. Surely if being able to lift your leaves was such an advantage, then all plants would do it. The current thinking is that prayer plants pray to reduce fungus and bacteria forming on their leaves. Plants belonging to the Marantaceae family are found naturally in rainforests.
Do prayer plants move?
When, Why, and How Do Prayer Plants Move and “Pray”? Maranta leuconeura gets its common name, Prayer Plant, from the way its leaves move in the evening. Depending on the time of day, you may see the leaves horizontal and relaxed, trailing over the side of the pot, or lifted and standing straight up.
Why is my prayer plant not moving?
Prayer plants move in response to the changes in light. So, if you’re keeping your plant in a shady spot, it won’t move. It will try to keep its leaves flat as much as possible to capture more light. This movement indicates that the plant is trying to sleep. If you keep it in a brightly lit room, it won’t be able to do this.
What is a prayer plant?
One of the most appealing aspects of Maranta leuconeura, aka Prayer Plant, is how its leaves move and “dance” as light changes throughout the day. Unlike some plants that seem to just sit there, month after month, the frequent movement of the Prayer Plant gives the feeling of having a living thing in your home.
What does a prayer plant look like?
Some people hear the name “Prayer Plant” and expect that the leaf movement looks like actual praying hands. Maranta leaves don’t fold in on themselves at night, but instead, the stems are usually elevated, and the leaves move into a vertical (but still straight) position. If your Prayer Plant doesn’t move, the first thing to evaluate is lighting.
What is prayer plant movement?
Prayer Plant movement mimics the circadian rhythm, following a 24-hour cycle. Some early scientists studying nyctinasty believed that the plants were doing something similar to sleeping at night. The reality is that plants don’t experience waking and sleep in the way animals do.