You are here:

House Plants/Identification

Advertisement

Expert: Darlene K. Kittle - 7/3/2009


Question

plant
I am trying to figure out what kind of plant this is. A friend gave it to me and Im not sure I am taking care of it properly. Could you help me identify it please.

Thankyou for you time.

Answer
Marsha,

It's common name is Prayer plant because it folds up it's leaves at night. The Latin name is Maranta leuconeura. It is in too large a pot. It is a plant that likes to be root bound. It should be in a pot with a diameter about half of the one it is in.

Below is some of it's needs:
Light Requirement for Prayer Plant: Bright Light to Filtered Light
Water Requirement for Prayer Plant: Evenly Moist
Humidity for Prayer Plant: High
Temperature for Prayer Plant: House
Fertilizer for Prayer Plant: Balanced
Potting Mix for Prayer Plant: All-Purpose
Propagation of Prayer Plant: Division, Stem Cuttings
Decorative Use for Prayer Plant: Hanging Basket, Table
Care Rating for Prayer Plant: Easy

If you have more questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene

Darlene K. Kittle

Expertise

I have been a Master Gardener for 23 years and I raise around 300 houseplants and bonsai trees a year including tropicals, succulents, and cacti.

Experience

She is also studying the Japanese art of bonsai with tropical plants and is President of the Fort Wayne, IN Bonsai Club.

Organizations
Fort Wayne, iN Master Gardeners. President of the Fort Wayne Bonsai Club. Allen County Master Gardeners

Education/Credentials
I am not a hortculturist. I am a Purdue University Master Gardener for 23 years. I have studied plants on a personal level by growing hundreds of plants annually for the last 35 years. I have also studied under several nationally known American Bonsai experts.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.