Members of the Marantaceae family, prayer plants are versatile indoor plants, much loved by both seasoned plant parents and beginner gardeners. They are non-toxic to pets and have several other benefits, including strong air-purifying properties, aesthetic appeal, and symbolic significance.  

However, as with all houseplants, improper care can harm these vibrant plants with unique foliage, leading to curled, yellow, brown, or droopy leaves. 

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll discuss each of these prayer plant leaf issues and their causes, and share with you the right solutions to fix or prevent these common problems. 

About Prayer Plants

Prayer plants are unique houseplants with stunning, vibrant, and decorative foliage. The term is used for plants from the Maranta genus, often referred to as the “true” prayer plant, along with a wide variety of Calathea plants. Both types of these prayer plants thrive in warm, humid conditions, just like their native tropical environment. Note, however, that Maranta plants are more high-maintenance, while Calathea care is relatively easy.

These South American pet-safe plants are slow growers and prefer indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. Well-draining soil and regular watering to keep the soil moist (but not waterlogged) are essential for their health. Since prayer plants appreciate higher humidity, occasional misting or the use of a humidifier is highly beneficial to their well-being. 

Nyctinasty, or the rhythmic movement of leaves in response to light, is an interesting feature of prayer plants. While their leaves open wide to absorb as much light as possible, they fold up during the night, resembling the hands in prayer. 

Some popular prayer plant varieties for your indoor space include the Calathea Rattlesnake, Peacock Plant, Calathea Concinna “Freddy,” and everyone's favorite, the hanging Maranta Red Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura). 

Prayer Plant Leaf Problems: What Is Wrong With My Prayer Plant?

Prayer plants have a fair share of leaf problems like other houseplants, including curling, browning, yellowing, and drooping leaves.

Let's understand the causes behind each of these problems and their easy fixes.

Prayer Plant Leaves Curling: Reasons & Solutions

The leaves of prayer plants are quite delicate and can start curling for many reasons. Luckily, you can reverse curled leaves on your Calathea or Maranta plant, as discussed below.  

Why Do Prayer Plant Leaves Curl and How to Fix It?

Your prayer plant leaves may curl, due to the following reasons:

• Over/underwatering
• Extreme temperature fluctuations 
• Too low humidity 
• Exposure to direct sunlight 
• Pest attacks and diseases 

Solution:

To prevent your prayer plant's leaves from curling, follow a consistent watering schedule to avoid both overwatering and underwatering. Using a well-draining soil mix and pot with an adequate number of drainage holes will also assist your plant in getting just the right hydration, keeping waterlogging at bay. Monitoring the temperature fluctuations and humidity levels around your plant is crucial, too. Lastly, find a sweet spot of bright, indirect light for your prayer plant to keep its leaves flat and fabulous.

Prayer Plant Leaves Turning Yellow: Causes and Fixes

If your prayer plant's leaves are turning yellow, the root causes might be the following:

• Improper watering 
• Low/high humidity 
• Low temperature 
• Nutrient deficiency, especially iron
• Pest infestations 

How Do I Fix Yellow Leaves on My Prayer Plant?

Fix the yellow leaves of your prayer plant by adjusting your watering routine. While you need to ensure the soil is consistently moist, at the same time, it shouldn't get soggy. The best practice is to water this tropical houseplant when the top inch of its soil feels dry. Next, maintain a balanced humidity level (neither too high nor too low) around your plant. During dry spells you can use a humidifier or place a pebble tray nearby.

Keep your plant in a warm environment, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C), away from cold drafts. Check for nutrient deficiencies, particularly iron, and consider using a balanced houseplant fertilizer or a specific iron supplement. Note that overfertilization can also cause yellow leaves. If that’s the case, flush your plant’s soil to remove salt buildup. Finally, regularly inspect your plant for unwanted guests like spider mites (most common) or aphids and treat them with insecticidal soap or neem oil (much recommended).  

Why Are My Prayer Plant Leaves Turning Brown?

How Do You Fix Brown Leaves on a Prayer Plant? 

You can prevent your prayer plant from having brown leaves by giving it the right attention and care it deserves. Water it regularly using rain or distilled water, but don't let the water accumulate around the roots. Maintain sufficient humidity around the plant by misting its leaves or turning on a humidifier nearby. Don't forget your prayer plant’s exposure to sunlight; it shouldn't be under direct light for prolonged periods. Lastly, check for pests and trim any brown, damaged leaves to promote new healthy growth. 

Prayer Plant Leaves Drooping: Reasons & Solutions

The drooping problem is very common with prayer plants, which is usually triggered by very little sunlight, temperature swings, imbalanced humidity, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, and the use of tap water, containing chemicals like fluoride and chloride.

How Do You Fix a Droopy Prayer Plant? 

Start by tweaking the plant’s watering schedule. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Here, a pot with good drainage and the right soil is key for your plant’s health. Adjust your prayer plant's position if needed so it receives sufficient bright, indirect light. Low-light conditions cause droopiness in plants and direct light can scorch your prayer plant’s delicate leaves. Increasing humidity levels through misting or placing a humidifier nearby can also help its foliage to perk up.

Prayer Plant Leaf Problems: FAQs

Q: What does an underwatered prayer plant look like?

A: You can identify an underwatered prayer plant by looking at its leaves, which will probably droop, curl, or look limp in the absence of enough moisture in the soil, which will feel dry and hard to the touch. Dehydration may also result in brown, crisp tips on the leaves. 

Q: How do you know if a prayer plant is overwatered?

A: An overwatered prayer plant can usually be recognized by its yellow leaves, funny smell coming from the waterlogged soil, due to root rot, mushy stems, and in some cases, water-soaked spots or blisters on the leaves. 

Q: Should I cut dead leaves off a prayer plant?

A: Dead leaves on a prayer plant (or any plant) don't serve any purpose and should be regularly trimmed to promote new growth. If your plant looks messy, this will give it a clean look. 

Q: Should I mist my prayer plant?

A: Prayer plants are fond of medium to high humidity. Due to this reason, they will appreciate frequent misting, especially if the air around them is dry. 

Q: Why does my prayer plant have crispy edges?

A: There can be several reasons behind your prayer plant's crisp edges, including exposure to direct sunlight, low humidity, the use of regular tap water with fluoride and chloride for watering the plant, underwatering, and pests. 

Q: How do you know if you have spider mites on my prayer plant?

A: You can easily spot the signs of your prayer plant being infested with spider mites. White dots on the leaves, fine webs, and discoloration on the undersides of the leaves usually indicate this problem. 

Conclusion

The well-being of your prayer plants, whether Calathea or Maranta, depends on various factors, such as correct exposure to sunlight, temperature, water quality, humidity levels, soil type, etc. Monitoring these can help you address your plant's leaf-related issues like curling, yellowing, and browning. Protection from pests and diseases is also vital to ensure your prayer plants are vibrant and thriving. 

You can group your gorgeous prayer plants with some relatively easy-care beauties that flourish in similar growing conditions. Consider complementary plants like Alocasia Polly, Bromeliad Neoregelia, or peperomias to create a diverse and beautiful indoor garden.