Prayer Plant Benefits | Advantages of Growing Prayer Plant

Prayer plant tops the list when it comes to unique houseplants. Here are the benefits of growing the Prayer plant that’ll tempt you to have one as well.

Botanical Name: Maranta leuconeura

The Prayer plant is a splendid houseplant with a bizarre appearance that piques up the interest of onlookers. The opening and folding foliage fascinate everyone, especially the children. Growing to 10-12 inches tall, it does not take up much space, making it ideal for small spaces. So without further ado, here are the benefits of growing the Prayer plant!

1. Unique Appearance

Urban gardeners are always on the lookout for plants that are topics of discussion. The unique appearance of the prayer plant makes it an ideal candidate for your plant collection. The leaves fold upright with the setting sun and unfold again when the sun rises, adding another interesting trait to the plant.

2. Colorful Varieties

There is no chance of getting bored with this plant, what with the many cultivars. The colorful varieties of the Prayer plant include Red, Lemon-lime, Marisela, Kim, Green, and Black.

3. Symbolism

Prayer plant gets the name from the upright folding leaves, which resemble hands folded in prayer. This characteristic of the prayer plant symbolizes gratitude. Also, when presented as a gift, it symbolizes gratitude and thankfulness. In some cultures, it is believed to bring positive energy and good luck.

4. Absorbs Pollutants

Nasa clean air study found that some houseplants reduce pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene from the surrounding air. However, the prayer plant was not included in the list; it’s still highly probable that it also remove these pollutants. Indoor air pollution can be more harmful than outdoor as per CNBC!

5. Health Benefits

It’s a proven fact that surrounding yourself with plants keeps us calm and focused, which goes for the Prayer plant as well. Apart from that, studies have shown that keeping plants in the workspace improves focus and productivity. Also, recovery from illness and injury is faster when a plant is present, as mentioned in this article researchgate.

6. Low Maintainance

Urban dwellers already have a lot on the plate, so it’s no surprise they want houseplants that require minimal care. Prayer plant is one such houseplant that is low maintenance and does not require much care. Bright indirect light, well-draining soil and high humidity are all it takes to make the Prayer plant happy.

7. Requires Little Space

Having a height of 10-12 inches and 15-18 inches spread, the Prayer plant is ideal for urban settings with little space. You can place it almost anywhere, be it the balcony, windowsill, patio, kitchen or bathroom. Also, as it has a shallow root system, it does well in shallow or flat pots. Check out some of the best plants for shallow pots in this post!