Prayer plants are gorgeous and are commonly the preferred houseplant by most people.
Their leaves bear an incredible pattern, ultimately distinguishing them from the other houseplants. However, when they start to curl, it can be frustrating.
Are you wondering why prayer-plants leaves curl?
Numerous reasons can lead to this problem. This article contains well-researched information on the reasons for the leaves curling among prayer plants.
Continue reading to discover this and much more about prayer plants.
Table of Contents
Why Are Prayer Plant Leaves Curling?
Dry soil resulting from underwatering and extreme temperatures can cause leaves to curl. Lack of humidity and water sensitivity can also cause a prayer plant’s leaves to start curling. However, it can also be due to their natural behavior.
Top 5 Reasons Why Prayer Plant Leaves Curl
Soil dryness
Water inadequacy is one of the reasons for prayer plants to curl inwards.
However, before adding water to the plant, ensure dryness is the cause of the curling; otherwise, you might end up soggy plants.
Instead, use a stick to check the water content or moisture level in the container before watering.
If the stick comes out dry, underwatering could be the cause of the problem. Inadequate watering results in low water uptake on the plant, resulting in prayer plant leaf curling.
However, avoid heavily watering the plant as sudden environmental change can plant a shocking and ultimately dying since watering daily for about a week will most likely kill the plant.
Instead, develop a daily watering schedule allowing the soil to become moist enough without shocking the plant.
Soon, you will notice the leaves coming back to normal. When this happens, ensure to maintain the watering process so that the plant leaves do not curl again.
It is best to keep checking the soil moisture level with a water meter to avoid overwatering.
Temperature extremes
High temperatures or too low temperatures can cause your prayer plant to curl its leaves.
When the temperatures are too high during summer, avoid placing your plants near the window or direct sunlight for too long.
Also, it might result in prayer plant leaves curling if they are placed close to a radiator or heating vent. In that case, ensure your room is adequately ventilated and avoid placing the plant near the radiators.
Too much cold can also result in prayer plants curling upwards. During cold seasons, avoid leaving the windows open for too long as a cold air stream can cause leaves to curl.
During winter, draft proof all windows and doors that are near the prayer plant.
What are the desired temperatures for the continuous growth of the prayer plant?
Your plant will thrive under temperatures that range about 70- 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and not lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit during the night.
Using digital thermometer is one way to keep track of room temperature changes throughout the year.
Low humidity
The player plant is a tropical plant and will therefore thrive in a highly humid environment.
While it is impossible to achieve the humidity levels of a greenhouse or tropical, it is possible to improve the humidity levels by using a pebble tray or moving a humidifier close by.
The desired humidity level for the prayer plant is about 50% and above. However, there are some sensitive species requiring humidity levels above 60%.
How to Improve Prayer Plant Humidity Levels at Home
Regularly mist the leaves
You can use the amber glass spray bottle, fill it with water, and spray the prayer plants.
It’s recommended that you mist the Prayer plant’s leaves in the early mornings a few times per week.
Shower the prayer-plants
Use a hosepipe to wash down the leaves of the prayer plant. This process will achieve the desired humidity level and wash off the dust and pests that might be hiding in the leaves.
Do this process regularly, whether the leaves are curling or not.
Use a humidifier
To successfully grow tropical plants in non-tropical countries, using a humidifier is the solution. In addition, since prayer plants require high humidity levels, using a humidifier will provide a long-term solution.
Water sensitivity
Most of the prayer plants have an allergic reaction to tap water. This is an indication they prefer water with low PH.
Tap water is usually more alkaline as opposed to rainwater which is a bit acidic. If all other conditions are not the cause of the curling, the issue could be water quality.
What type of water are you watering your prayer plant, especially during summer when there is no rain? It is probably tap water.
If this is the only available water, you can try to purify it, flushing out any possible elements that make the water alkaline.
For continuous healthy growth of the prayer plant, it is recommended to use rainwater or purify the tap water before use. This will ensure chemicals like fluoride are eliminated.
Natural behavior
Generally, at night, prayer plants fold their leaves and unfold them during the day. This is the reason for their names, as the plants appear as if they are praying.
In this case, worry not as it is their natural life routine. However, if this is your first time planting a prayer plant and have no background information, this behavior can be confused with real issues that could be detrimental to the plant.
How do you know whether it is natural behavior or if the plant is crying for help?
The best thing is to keep a keen eye on the plant for a few consecutive days. If it starts folding its leaves in the late evening or at night and during the day, it starts unfolding; it is a behavioral issue and nothing to worry about.
However, if it folds and never unfolds them, each day they become more folded, the plant is in serious trouble and needs saving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why Are Prayer Plant Leaves Curling
How do you save a curling prayer plant?
First, you need to determine the course of curling. Then, based on the cause, you can develop solutions like watering rain or purified water, increasing humidity, and temperature regulation, among others.
What’s the watering frequency for a prayer plant?
Usually, it is recommended to water for at least 1 to 2 weeks, allowing the soil to dry a little bit. However, since some soils have high drainage instead of others with poor drainage, it is best to develop a personal watering schedule. Water immediately, you notice the soil has started to dry out and no moisture remains.
Conclusion
If you have a prayer plant in your office or at home and you are wondering why they are curling their leaves, this article has provided adequate possible courses.
Evaluate each of the factors to find out the cause behind it. But, don’t you worry, as there’s a solution for every cause behind your prayer plant leaves curling.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.