Prayer Plant Complete Guide: From Buying to Growing With Confidence

Prayer plants are one of the few tropical houseplants that truly thrive in lower-light indoor spaces. This makes them perfect for areas that other plants might struggle in — like bedrooms, hallways, or shaded living rooms. The key is to avoid intense, direct sunlight and instead aim for soft, indirect light. Bright, filtered light from an east- or north-facing window is ideal, helping the plant maintain its vivid patterns while protecting its delicate leaves from sun scorch.

Because these plants love humidity, they also do well in naturally moist rooms like bathrooms and kitchens — as long as they still get access to light. Placing one on a shelf near a frosted bathroom window or next to a kitchen sink can help balance moisture and visibility beautifully.

Prayer plants also shine in low-to-mid light zones like bookshelves, floating wall planters, or even under skylights that get dappled sun. Their modest height and spreading growth habit make them excellent for coffee tables, bedside stands, and grouped displays with other tropical foliage. You’ll get the most movement from the leaves if the plant is placed somewhere consistently warm and humid, away from cold drafts or heating units.

Buying a prayer plant online is an easy way to find the right variety, size, and pot style without needing to visit multiple garden centers. Many reputable New Zealand plant shops offer detailed listings with photos, care information, and delivery options, making it simple to choose a healthy plant that suits your home.

When shopping online, look for sellers who specialize in indoor plants and clearly describe plant size, maturity, and light requirements. A well-established nursery will also ship plants safely, often with protective packaging to prevent damage during transit. Some stores even offer starter bundles that include pots, soil, and care guides — perfect for setting up your new prayer plant straight away.

Propagation is easiest through division, and the best time to do it is in spring or early summer when repotting. Gently remove the plant from its container and inspect the root ball — you’ll notice natural clusters, or “crowns,” where the stems emerge. Using your hands or a clean knife, carefully separate these sections, making sure each one has healthy roots and at least a few leaves attached.

Once separated, replant the divisions into fresh, lightly moist soil. Keep them in a warm, bright location with indirect light, and maintain steady humidity to help them settle in. It’s normal for new divisions to look a bit limp at first, but with consistent care, they bounce back within a couple of weeks.

Although generally resilient, these plants can occasionally attract a few common indoor pests — especially if the air is too dry or watering habits are inconsistent. Spider mites are the most common issue, particularly in heated homes during winter. They create fine webs between leaves and cause tiny yellow or dry spots to form. If caught early, wiping the leaves and increasing humidity often keeps them under control.

‍Mealybugs are another potential problem. They appear as small, cotton-like clusters along stems and leaf joints, feeding on sap and weakening new growth. Isolate the plant if you spot them, and treat gently with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Fungus gnats can also show up when soil stays too wet for too long — while not harmful to the plant directly, they’re a sign the roots may be sitting in excess moisture.

Maintaining balanced humidity, avoiding soggy soil, and checking leaves regularly will prevent most pest issues before they become serious.

Even when given proper care, these plants can occasionally show signs of stress. One of the most frequent issues is pale, slightly curled leaves, which often means the plant is getting too much direct sunlight. These plants prefer filtered or indirect light — strong rays can wash out their patterns and cause the edges to tighten.

If growth has slowed or stopped altogether, it could be a result of nutrient deficiency or fertilizer buildup. Repotting into fresh soil and holding off on feeding for a few weeks can help the roots recover. Once the plant settles, a diluted balanced fertilizer can support new shoots — which tend to appear most in late spring and summer.

Another issue is when the plant appears weak and floppy despite consistent watering. This can signal a hidden pest problem like root mealybugs, which feed below the surface. Removing the plant from its pot and rinsing the root ball in warm water can help eliminate them before repotting in clean soil.

On the leaves and stems, scale insects may show up as small brown discs. These should be treated promptly and the plant isolated to prevent spread. Similarly, spider mites can cause dry, pale foliage and faint webbing on the undersides of leaves. Cleaning affected areas, improving humidity, and using insecticidal soap are usually effective treatments.