As for why they’re called “prayer plants,” Mandi Gubler, a master gardener and founder of Happy Happy Houseplant, explains that “At night, their leaves fold in on each other and it looks like hands that are praying.” It’s more of a descriptive name than a scientific term, and Gubler adds that Calatheas (which also belong to the family Marantaceae) move in a similar way and are often referred to as prayer plants, too. However, Maranta is what’s known as “the true prayer plant,” Gubler says. Hailing from a tropical climate, Maranta prayer plants love warmth and humidity, but with the right care, they can thrive just about anywhere. With proper care, your Maranta can grow up to 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide. You’ll have a good chance of finding one in a nursery near you, but if you do have any trouble, try an online nursery or peek around Etsy. There’s some discrepancy from our experts around how frequently to feed your prayer plant, from every time you water to every two to four weeks depending on the season. So it may be best to create a feeding schedule that works for your lifestyle (and memory). This part could take months. And that’s OK! “As long as it’s green and the water stays clean and clear, it will be fine,” Gubler tells mbg. With a unique view on life, she taps into her own experiences to guide folks to live life for themselves, empowering them to explore their inner wild and find their own way in adulthood. Her weekly newsletter is a tiny way she furthers her mission to hold space for the unfathomable, romantic, and messy parts of life that make it that much more beautiful.
