Health benefits of Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura scientifically known as prayer plant is a type of flowering plant in the Marantaceae R. Br. (Prayer-Plant) family. This family also has famous houseplants like Calathea, Stromanthe, and arrowroot. The plant comes from Central and South America. In the Brazilian jungles, it grows most often. The plant is known for its big, soft, oval leaves that are decorated with complex patterns. The plants are also known as the Herringbone Plant, the Rabbit Tracks Plant, the Rabbit’s Foot Plant, the Zebra Plant, the Calathea Prayer Plant, the Marisela Prayer Plant, the Rattlesnake Calathea, the Oval Leaf Prayer Plant, St. Joseph’s Coat, the Rattlesnake Plant, the Peacock Plant, the Maranta Prayer Plant, the Prayer Peacock, the Green Maranta, the Red Veined Prayer Plant, the Living Plant, Cathedral Windows, and the Green Red Vein Prayer Plant.

This plant was given the genus name “Maranta” to honor Bartolomeo Maranta, an Italian scientist and doctor who lived in the 1600s. He made important advances to botany and worked on plants that could be used as medicine. Two Greek words are used to make up the name of this species: “leuco” means “white” or “pale,” and “eura” means “flower.” “Neura” means “nerve” or “vein.” It’s also called the “prayer plant” because the way its leaves fold up at night makes us think of praying with two hands. The plant looks great all the way down, so it’s often put in the edges of furniture or in a hanging basket. Cats and dogs can handle prayer plants without getting sick, so they are a good choice for homes with pets.

Prayer Plant Facts

Plant Description

The prayer plant is a decorative, spreading, evergreen, rhizomatous houseplant that grows slowly and ornamentally. It usually gets about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 centimetres) tall and the same width. But some species and cultivars can get a little higher, up to or more 18 inches (45 centimetres) tall. Most of the time, Prayer Plants are grown as pets. They work well in homes, businesses, and other indoor places. They are usually put near windows that let in filtered light or in places where the sun shines in shady spots. The best soil for it is a peat-based indoor potting soil that lets air in and keeps water in but drains fast. The pH level of the dirt should be between 6.1 and 6.5 for it to do well.

The Prayer Plant, like many other flowers, can help clean the air inside by removing pollutants and adding oxygen. Prayer Plants are very popular as houseplants because their leaves have beautiful, complex patterns that make them look classy in any room. The unique way the leaves move is said to make people think of folded hands in prayer, which is where the name “Prayer Plant” originates from. In some societies, it has also been linked to spirituality. Small flowers are kind of pretty, but they aren’t very useful as decorations.

Appropriate growing environment of Prayer plant

The Prayer Plant is a popular houseplant known for its attractive foliage and unique habit of folding its leaves upward in the evening, resembling hands in prayer. To provide an appropriate growing environment for a Prayer Plant, you should consider the following factors:

• Light: Prayer plants like bright light that comes from the side. Keep them out of direct sunlight, as it can burn the leaves. They can survive with less light, but the colors may fade and the leaves may move less quickly.
• Temperature: For best growth, keep the temperature between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C) warm and steady. Stay away from drafts and quick changes in temperature; they can stress the plant.
• Humidity: When there is a lot of dampness, prayer plants do very well. Try to get the humidity to be at least 50%. Misting the plant often, using a humidity tray, or putting a fan nearby is all ways to raise the humidity.
• Watering: Make sure the dirt is always damp, but not soaked. When the top inch (2.5 cm) of earth feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water. To stop root rot, use water that is at room temperature and make sure there is good ventilation. During the winter, when the plant grows less quickly, water it less.
• Soil: Use a peat-based potting mix that drains well and has a lot of air holes in it. Adding compost or peat moss or other organic matter can help the soil hold on to more water.
• Potting: If the roots of your Prayer Plant get too big, you should repot it every one to two years. Pick a pot that is a little bigger. Spring is the best time to move plants to new pots.
• Fertilization: If you want to keep your Prayer Plant growing, you should give it a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Fertilization should be cut back or stopped during the dormant winter months.
• Pruning: Cut off any leaves that are yellow or dead to help the plant grow well. You can also cut back the plant’s tips to make it grow bushier.
• Propagation: You can make more Prayer Plants by dividing them when you repot them or by cutting stems with a node and putting them in soil or water.
• Pest Control: Keep an eye out for common houseplant pests like aphids and spider mites, and treat any cases right away with the right chemicals.

Roots

The Prayer Plant has flexible roots, which are found in many houseplants. Thus, it has a web of very thin, fine roots that spread out from the plant’s base in different directions. It may also make rhizomes in addition to its woody roots. Rhizomes are thick, horizontal roots that grow from the ground. They store energy and can grow new leaves and shoots. They help the plant stay alive and get better after being stressed by things like damage or weather. For the Prayer Plant to be healthy all around, its roots must be in good shape. Most of the time, roots that are healthy are hard and white or cream-colored. Root rot can happen if the roots turn brown, mushy, or smell bad. This is usually caused by too much water or poor draining.

Stem

Typically, stems are thin, juicy, and a little bendy. They start at the base of the plant and grow up and out. The Prayer Plant’s stems have nodes and internodes, just like the stalks of many other plants. Along the stem, nodes are places where leaves, branches, or flowers grow. The parts of the stem that are between the nodes are called internodes. Prayer Plants can grow roots that branch out over time. These branches can come from nodes on the main stem or from the plant’s base. You can get stems to spread out and grow fuller by pinching or pruning the tips of the stems.

Prayer Plants can grow both roots that grow above ground and rhizomes that grow below ground. The rhizomes are thick, flat plants that store food and energy and can grow new roots and shoots. Depending on how big and old the Prayer Plant is, the roots may need to be supported so they don’t fall to the ground. You can use sticks or just let the plant hang over the edge of a pot or hanging basket to do this.

Bark

A Prayer Plant’s stems are grass, which means they are soft, not made of wood, and usually green or pink. The outside layer of these plants doesn’t get thick and protected like the outside layer of trees and shrubs do. The stem’s top layer is made up of epidermal cells and a cuticle. This layer protects against outside forces, helps keep water loss in check, and facilitates gas exchange.

The outside layer can have different colors and textures based on the type or cultivar. It’s usually green to light green, and compared to the rough, corky bark of woody plants, it’s pretty smooth. Prayer Plants don’t have growth rings in their roots like trees do. Trees have growth rings in their woody bark that show how much they grow each year. Instead, the plant’s growth is mostly controlled by the growth of new stems, leaves, and roots.

Leaves

The form of leaves is usually oval or elliptical, with pointy ends and smooth edges. The exact shape and size can be a little different between species and types of the Maranta genus. The leaves can be different sizes, but most of them are about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimetres) long. The leaves of some types may be bigger or smaller. The leaves’ top side is usually shiny and smooth, while the bottom side is usually lighter in color and might feel a little soft. The leaves can be a wide range of colors, based on the type. Shades of green are common, and they often have complex designs of contrasting stripes, spots, or veins in other colors, like white, cream, or pink. The Prayer Plant’s leaf marks are one of its main draws.

There are straight veins running the length of the leaf, which is called venation. The venation design makes the leaves look more beautiful. Each leaf has a long, thin stalk that connects it to the stem. The petioles are usually green and can be a bit long, which lets the leaves stick out above the stem. The way the leaves move is one of the most interesting things about it. The leaves are joined to the stem at a unique point called the pulvinus. The leaves can move in response to changes in how much light they get through this joint. During the day, the leaves spread out horizontally to take in as much light as possible. The plant is called that because its leaves fold up like a prayer at night or when there isn’t much light.

In a rosette shape, new leaves grow from the middle of the plant. As the leaves get bigger, they slowly unfold from being rolled or folded, showing their full shape and pattern. Each leaf on the Prayer Plant only lasts for a short time. They get old, get spots, and may be shed by the plant over time. Getting rid of old, sick leaves on a regular basis can help new, healthy leaves grow.

Read More: Why Are My Prayer Plant Leaves Curling

Flowers

The flowers grow in groups on long, thin stalks that grow from the plant’s base. Inflorescences are the name for these groups of flowers. Small flowers, often less than an inch (2.5 centimetres) across, make up the plants. These parts are not the plant’s main ornamental trait. Flowers can be any color, but most of the time they are white or pale yellow, with hints of other colors. The flower leaves don’t look like much at first glance.

There are many parts to a flower. The sepals are the outer parts that cover the flower bud before it opens. As for the Prayer Plant, its sepals are generally green and not very noticeable. Flowers’ “petal-like” parts are called petals, and they are made up of colorful, tiny structures. Most of the time, the flowers of Prayer Plants are small and narrow. The flower’s male reproductive parts are called stamens. They are made up of thin stalks and anthers, which make pollen. The flower’s female reproductive part is called the pistil. It is made up of the stigma, the style, and the ovary. The stigma receives pollen, the style joins the stigma to the ovary, and the ovary has the ovules, which can turn into seeds if they are fertilized.

As long as the conditions are right, Prayer Plants can bloom, but their flowers aren’t known for being very beautiful or lasting a long time. The blooming period isn’t very long, and the flowers may show up at different times during the growing season, usually when the light or environment changes. The Prayer Plant’s flowers need to be fertilized in order to make seeds. Most of the time, insects or other visitors that visit the plant do this. After being pollinated, the flowers may turn into small fruits that look like berries and have seeds inside.

Fruits

Fruits are actually capsules or capsules that look like berries. These fruits aren’t very big, and they’re either round or oval. The flowers of the Prayer Plant can be any color, but when they’re not fully grown, they are usually green. When they are ready, they may turn yellow or orange. Most of the time, the seeds are very small, measuring less than half an inch (1.3 centimetres) across. Outside of the fruit, the skin is usually smooth, but it can look a little waxy or shiny. The fruit’s taste isn’t particularly interesting or unique. There are usually more than one seed inside the fruit. These seeds are pretty small, and they might be brown or dark brown. Each fruit can have a different number of seeds.

Seeds

Small seeds, about a few millimeters across, are found in plants. Most of the time, they are flat and oval or kidney-shaped. A lot of the time, seeds is dark brown to black and feel hard, like wood or rocks. The seed coat, also written as testa, is the seed’s outside layer. Because it is hard, it protects the baby inside. It’s possible for the seed coat to look a little wrinkly or rough. Embryos, which are young plants, are inside the seed coat. This baby has all the genes that a plant needs to grow into a full-grown plant. The embryonic shoot (future stem and leaves) and the embryonic base make it up.

Varieties of Prayer plant

The Prayer Plant is a popular houseplant known for its attractive foliage and unique leaf movements. There are several varieties and cultivars of Prayer Plants, each with its own distinctive leaf patterns and characteristics. Here are some notable varieties of Prayer Plants:

• Maranta leuconeura ‘Erythroneura’: The leaves of this type are dark green with bright red lines and midribs. When put against the green background, the red lines look stunning.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’: This type of Prayer Plant is often called the “Rabbit’s Foot” Prayer Plant. Its leaves are light green with darker green spots and a red midrib that stands out. The marks on the leaves look like rabbit tracks.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Fascinator’: This type of plant is known for having dark green leaves with bright silver lines and spots on them. It’s a very attractive type because the leaves have very detailed silver designs.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Red Vein’: This type of plant has dark green leaves with red lines that stand out, as the name suggests. It looks very interesting because of the difference between the green and red.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Beauty Kim’: The leaves of “Beauty Kim” are known for being light green with cream-colored spots along the midrib and edges. The different colors give the leaves a bit of elegance.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Lemon Lime’: The lime-green leaves of this type stand out because they have dark green spots and red veins that contrast with them. The coloring is especially happy and bright.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Green Prayer Plant’: The leaves of this type are bright green with dark green stripes and a design that looks like a fishbone.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Kim Prayer’: ‘ Kim Prayer has green leaves with bright white lines that make a pattern that looks like lace. It is known for having beautiful differences in color.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Leuconeura’: The normal type of Prayer Plant has green leaves with dark green spots and red lines. For people who like the way Prayer Plant leaves move, this is a classic pick.
• Maranta leuconeura ‘Silver Band’: The midrib and edges of this variety’s green leaves have silvery-white lines going along them. The metal bands make the leaves look more elegant.

Health benefits of Prayer plant

The Prayer Plant is a popular houseplant known for its unique foliage and relatively easy care. While it may not have well-documented medicinal properties, it offers several health benefits as an indoor plant:

1. Stress Reduction

Taking good care of plants like the Prayer Plant can help you relax and be more aware. Taking care of your plant by watering, trimming, and repotting it can help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. It gives you a chance to get away from the busy world and focus on something relaxing and caring.

2. Improved Indoor Environment

There are many indoor plants, like prayer plants, that can help make the air inside better by filtering out pollutants. These things take in dangerous chemicals like formaldehyde and xylene, which are found in things like furniture, paint, and cleaning supplies. This could make the air better and lower the risk of breathing problems.

3. Increased Humidity

Many indoor plants, like prayer plants, can help clean the air by removing toxins. You can find formaldehyde and xylene in furniture, paint, and cleaning tools and these things can take them in. This might clean up the air and make it less likely that people will have breathing problems.

4. Enhanced Cognitive Function

Prayer plants and many other indoor plants can help clean the air by getting rid of toxins. Formaldehyde and xylene are in paint, furniture, and cleaning supplies and these things can breathe them in. This could make the air cleaner, which could help people who have trouble breathing.

5. Emotional Well-being

Some people feel better when they look at the Prayer Plant. Its beautiful leaves and designs can help with mental health. The plant’s beauty can improve your mood and make your living place look better and feel more peaceful.

6. Restful Sleep

As a result of its ability to raise the temperature inside, the Prayer Plant can help you sleep better. Having the right amount of air can keep your throat and nasal passages from drying out, which can help you, sleep better and stop you from snoring.

7. Connection to Nature

People can stay connected to nature even when they live in cities by keeping indoor plants like the Prayer Plant. This connection can help your mental health by making you feel calm and at ease, which can lead to lower levels of worry, anxiety, and depression.

8. Educational Value

Having a Prayer Plant at home can help you learn, especially if you have kids. It gives you a chance to teach them about ecology, plant biology, and how important it is to take care of live things. This hands-on activity can help people care more about nature and the world.

9. Improved Productivity

According to some study, having plants in the office may make people more productive. The Prayer Plant can make your workspace more welcoming and comfortable, which can boost your drive and productivity.

10. Natural Décor

In addition to being good for you, the Prayer Plant makes any room look more beautiful. Its unusual leaves and bright colors can be used as a decorative feature to make your home or office look better overall.

11. Air purification

Aside from being good for you, the Prayer Plant makes any room look nicer. Its unique leaves and bright colors can be used as art to make your office or home look better overall.

12. Humidity regulation

Through a process called evaporation, the Prayer Plant naturally lets water into the air. This can help raise the humidity in your home, which is good for your lung health, especially if you live in a dry place.

13. Enhanced mood

There is evidence that having plants in your home can improve your happiness. Taking care of plants and enjoying their beauty can make you happier and more satisfied.

14. Improved focus and productivity

Some study shows that having plants inside can help you focus and get more done. Looking at the Prayer Plant’s unique leaf patterns can be a nice break that helps you stay focused on your work.

15. Symbolism

The leaves of the prayer plant stand straight up and fold in a way that looks like clasped hands. These leaves represent thanks. When given as a gift, it sends even stronger messages of thanks and appreciation. It is thought to bring good luck and draw positive energy in some cultures.

16. Absorbs Pollutants

According to a NASA study on clean air, some flowers can lower the amount of formaldehyde and benzene in the air. Additionally, the prayer plant wasn’t directly mentioned in this study, but it seems likely that it also has the ability to remove these pollutants. CNBC said that air pollution inside can sometimes be worse for your health than pollution outside.

Different uses of Prayer plant

The Prayer plant is primarily grown as an ornamental houseplant because of its attractive foliage and unique leaf movements. Here are some different uses and benefits of the Prayer plant:

• Indoor Decoration: One of the main ways the Prayer plant is used is as a home decoration. Its brightly coloured, patterned leaves make homes, businesses, and other indoor places look more beautiful and classy.
• Air Purification: Prayer plants, like many other houseplants, help clean the air inside by removing toxins and other pollutants. This makes the space healthy for the people who live there.
• Relaxation and Stress Reduction: Taking care of houseplants like the Prayer plant can help you relax and feel better. As you watch its leaves close up at night and open up during the day, you may feel calm and aware.
• Teaching Tool: Children and adults can both learn a lot about plants and circadian rhythms by watching the Prayer plant’s leaves move in a very interesting way.
• Botanical Interest: People who are interested in plants will find the Prayer plant an interesting example of how plants behave because its leaves move in response to light and dark.
• Conversation Starter: The Prayer plant’s unique look and behavior can be a great way to start a talk when people come over.
• Gifts: Because they are pretty and have meaning, prayer plants are often given as gifts. You can give them as a nice gift on birthdays, housewarmings, or other special days.
• Aesthetic Variety: Prayer plants come in a lot of different types, and each one has its own leaf patterns and colors. Because they are so different, you can pick the one that goes best with your home’s style.
• Low Maintenance: There are many kinds of prayer plants, and each one has its own color and design on the leaves. You can choose the one that best fits the style of your home because they are so different.
• Natural Ambiance: Putting flowers like the Prayer plant in your living space can make it feel more natural and calm, which is good for your health.
• Educational Tool: Schools and botanical parks can use prayer plants to teach students and visitors about how plants change, how they make food, and how they react to light and dark.
• Interior Landscaping: A lot of the time, interior designers use Prayer plants to bring a little bit of nature inside, which makes the place look better and makes people feel calmer.
• Feng Shui: According to Feng Shui, some flowers, like the Prayer plant, can bring good energy and balance to a room. Putting them in your home in a way that follows Feng Shui rules can help.
• Photography: Prayer plant leaves can be interesting to photograph up close because they have unique and complex patterns. This is called macro photography, and it lets photographers catch the details and beauty of nature.
• Botanical Research: Botanists and experts may look into how Prayer plants work and what they do as part of larger studies on how plants move and change.
• Gift Shops and Florists: Experts and botanists may study how Prayer plants work and what they do as part of bigger projects that look into how plants move and change.
• Interior Workshops and Classes: As part of their lessons, some interior design workshops and classes teach people how to use houseplants like the Prayer plant to make indoor areas look better.
• Meditation and Mindfulness: Caring for a Prayer plant, like watering it and watching the leaves move, can be a mindful and meditative exercise that helps people connect with nature and feel less stressed.
• Symbolism: Different cultures may see the Prayer plant as a sign of faith, growth, or renewal. For these kinds of things, it can be used in ceremonies or traditions.
• Retail Displays: Businesses and stores that sell things sometimes use prayer plants as part of their visual merchandising displays to make the shops look nice and welcome.

Side effects of Prayer plant

The Prayer plant is generally considered safe to have as a houseplant and does not pose significant health risks to humans or pets. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind:

• Toxicity to Pets: The Prayer plant is not very dangerous, but if cats, dogs, or other pets eat it, it can make their stomachs upset. Some signs are drinking, throwing up, or having diarrhea. To keep dogs from eating the plant, it’s best to keep it out of their reach.
• Irritating Sap: If someone with sensitive skin comes in touch with the Prayer plant’s sap or juices, it may cause mild skin irritation. For people with sensitive skin, it’s best to be careful with the plant and wash your hands after touching it.
• Allergic Reactions: People who are allergic to pollen or other plant allergens may be affected by the Prayer plant, just like other flowers. Some allergic responses are sneezing, a runny nose, or skin irritation.
• Fungal Issues: Fungal problems, like root rot, can happen in Prayer plants if they get too much water or don’t water properly. These problems aren’t caused by the plant itself; they’re caused by not taking good care of it.

References:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=b604

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maranta_leuconeura

https://gd.eppo.int/taxon/MARLE

https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/230330

https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=MALE7

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