Steady warmth, humidity and soft water matter more than anything else; a bathroom or kitchen with good light suits it.
Care
Bright indirect light; direct sun bleaches and scorches the leaves.
Medium-high — keep the compost evenly moist but not wet; use rainwater or filtered water if tap water is hard.
Peat-free houseplant compost with added bark or perlite.
Trim straggly stems back to a leaf node to keep it bushy; remove dead leaves.
A half-strength balanced houseplant feed monthly during the growing season.
Divide when repotting in spring, or root stem cuttings with a node in water.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- AprilRepot into a shallow, wide pot if crowded. how ›
- JulyKeep compost evenly moist and humidity high in warm weather. how ›
- NovemberKeep away from radiators and cold windows over winter.
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilRepot into a shallow, wide pot if crowded. how ›
- JulyKeep compost evenly moist and humidity high in warm weather. how ›
- NovemberKeep away from radiators and cold windows over winter.
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Tips and margins brown and dry.
What to do. Dry air or hard water; raise humidity and use softer water.
How to spot it. Fine speckling and webbing under leaves.
What to do. Raise humidity, wipe leaves, isolate the plant.
How to spot it. Leaves roll up during the day.
What to do. Compost too dry or too much sun.
Questions
Prayer plant: is it hardy?
H1b: Tender, needs above 10°C. It survives above 10 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — a houseplant; a shallow wide pot suits its roots.
Prayer plant: when do you prune it?
Trim straggly stems back to a leaf node to keep it bushy; remove dead leaves.
When do you feed it?
A half-strength balanced houseplant feed monthly during the growing season. Feeding months, UK: April–September.