My first prayer plant arrived yesterday and she’s lovely, but I’m not too sure she’s supposed to look like this?
From ones I’ve seen in person and online they’re usually… perkier? 😆 I’m not sure if she is stressed from travel or if perhaps wasn’t given enough light so is a bit leggy? Or something else entirely?
Yesterday I popped her in the bathroom in a south facing frosted window for some humidity and acclimate her to our very bright house, but considering giving her more light inside the kitchen (pictured) next to a SE facing window. I haven’t watered yet as the soil is still pretty moist.
Not sure if this is enough info, I’m veryyyy new to plants so any help would be appreciated!
by Eastern_Tree3692
3 Comments
It’s a Calathea. It needs moist but not wet soil all the time, with never a complete drying out. It also needs bright indirect light. They do well in self watering planters with rope wicks. I killed 3 before I mastered what they need. Set it in water for about 30 minutes to soak up what it needs, then drain. Check the soil twice weekly. I use a moisture meter that I stick in the soil. There are also color indicator ones. I use diluted plant fertilizer about once a month. I just put a bit in the soaking water for it. They are sensitive buggers.
Put something under the grow pot so it’s lifted evenly with the top of the decorative pot and put more soil in. The soil needs to be high enough so the soil receives sunlight. If the soil is low and the grow pot is low in the decorative pit, the soil will stay wet and your plant will continue declining.
It’s a maranta.
It looks perfect in your photos. It will move around and eventually vine. We water that size one ounce every 4 days and that keeps them looking really nice. Once a month or six weeks water to flush. Medium plus light.