Prayer Plant Leaf Curling - All You Need To Know

Welcome to our guide to prayer plant leaf curling, and other issues with calatheas and marantas…

Both calatheas and marantas are commonly referred to as prayer plants, we will cover leaf curling for both these types of plants as the root causes are the same and they are very similar plants. They are both fussy and dramatic plants that will show on their leaves when they are unhappy. You need to get their care just right or you’ll have curling, yellowing or dropping leaves.

Prayer Plant Leaves Curling

Prayer plants get curling leaves when they lack moisture. Normally it is due to lack of humidity, they need 50% or more as a minimum. You are best to put them in humid room or near a humidifier. If not you can put them on top of a wet pebble tray to increase the ambient humidity around the plant. Sometimes the curling leaves can be due to a lack water – so make sure you are watering the plant well, which is really easy, just check the soil regularly.

They can also curl up from cold draft, so watch out for these in the winter. Sunburn or fertilizer burn, can cause curling too, so make sure you use a well diluted feed and don’t put the plants in direct sun.

For more info on prayer plants see our guide: Calathea Musaica, Prayer Plant Care, Prayer Plant Propagation, Calathea Beauty Star, Maranta Lemon Lime, Calathea Louisae, Calathea Rufibarba.

Tip: The key to avoiding prayer plants leaves curling is to keep them humid, aim for 50% or more in the day and they’ll be ok with a bit less at night. You can buy a humidity meter (affiliate link) to keep an eye on maximum and minimum levels.

How to Increase Humidity?

The easiest way to increase humidity is to keep the plants with other plants, as they give off moisture and increase the local humidity around them. If the air is really dry you can put a bag (taller than the prayer plant) around the plant with the top open to allow air to circulate but it will keep the plant humid.

Will Prayer Plant Leaves Uncurl?

The good news is that they should uncurl if you can remedy the root cause of the issues, normally giving them some water and upping the humidity.

Prayer Plant Leaves Curling And Turning Yellow or Brown

Leaf browning and yellowing can be due to under or overwatering. But if the leaves are curling too then it is likely a lack of water or lack of humidity issue.

Prayer Plant Leaves Curling At Night

Prayer plants can curl up slightly at night and re-open again when the sun rises. It is very normal and nothing to worry about.

Why Do Prayer Plant Leaves Fold Up At Night?

Plant leaves folding up at night stops moisture sitting in them and fungus or pests developing.

Can Prayer Plant Leaves Uncurl?

Prayer plants uncurl when they regain the moisture in the leaves.

Should I Mist My Prayer Plant?

You need to keep your marantas and calatheas humid, the best way is by keeping them in a humid room or with a humidifier, but if not you can use wet pebble tray under them or mist them.