How to Propagate Prayer Plant: 3 Methods That Really Work

The stunning striped leaves of the prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) and its easy-going maintenance needs make it a favorite of houseplant enthusiasts. Prayer plant also happens to be easy to propagate, so you can start your own mini prayer plant collection at home and become the person who gifts this popular plant at every occasion.

These tropical plants, which are native to Brazil, can be propagated in three primary ways: root division, taking a stem cutting and rooting it in water, or rooting a stem cutting in soil.

Here's how to propagate prayer plants the easy way.

How to Propagate Prayer Plant by Dividing the Roots

Root division is a nearly foolproof way to propagate a prayer plant. This is best done in early spring, though you can also propagate by root division in summer.

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot. Give the plant a shake to remove excess soil.

2. With the excess soil removed, it should become clear which plant is the main plant and which are the children that have sprung from the main plant. These sections will each have independent root sections and several stems.

3. Detach each section from the main plant. Use a clean, sharp knife.

4. Repot the divided sections in well-draining potting mix soil. Water them thoroughly.

5. Place the newly independent plants in bright, indirect sunlight. Let them adapt to their new home.

How to Propagate a Prayer Plant in Water

Whether you've had a piece of a stem fall off on its own or you're trying to propagate a section from a prayer plant that hasn't yet grown big enough to have independent root sections, taking just a stem cutting can be a successful way to propagate your plant.

1. Using a good pair of sharp, clean garden shears, cut off a stem cutting approximately one inch below a node. A node is a thicker area of the stem and it's a home base for new leaf growth.

2. Dip the bottom inch of the cutting into rooting hormone. This will help to stimulate the roots to grow more quickly.

3. Fill a glass container with water (ideally room temperature) and place the cutting in the water. Make sure the leaves remain above the water line.

4. Cover the container with clear plastic and place it in bright, indirect light to create a humid environment. This should encourage growth. Change the water weekly.

5. Check back within three to four weeks, and the roots should reach roughly one to two inches. The prayer plant is ready to transfer to a pot.

6. Carefully transfer the rooted cutting to a pot. The pot should be filled with a well-draining mixture including peat moss, vermiculite, perlite, and compost. Water thoroughly.

7. Keep the plant watered and the soil moist. Use a fertilizer every two weeks throughout the warmer months and once a month during the cooler months.

How to Propagate a Prayer Plant in Soil

You can also skip watching your prayer plant grow roots in water and go straight to propagating a stem cutting in soil.

1. Cut a stem cutting roughly one inch below a node. Use sharp, clean garden shears.

2. Dip the bottom inch of the stem into rooting hormone. This will help to stimulate the roots to grow more quickly.

3. Fill a pot with a nutrient-rich potting soil, including two parts peat moss, one part vermiculite or perlite, and one part compost. Plant the cutting in the soil, ensuring it can stand on its own.

4. Cover the pot with clear plastic wrap, then place it in bright, indirect light. This will create a humid environment that mimics its natural tropical environment.

5. Fertilize the cutting every two weeks. Continue to keep the plant moist and watch out for new growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with a leggy prayer plant?

If your prayer plant is getting leggy, it may be because it's not getting enough sun. Prune off the leggy stems until it reaches a more compact size, then move it to a brighter spot. The prayer plant should grow into a fuller shape.

How do I make my prayer plant fuller?

If you prune your prayer plant regularly, you'll encourage new growth, which will give it a fuller, more robust shape. Also, make sure it gets lots of sun to encourage new leaves!

How do you transplant a prayer plant?

To transplant a prayer plant, make sure you pick a pot that is 2" larger in width than the root ball. Water the plant in its current pot, let it drain, then plant it with a well-draining potting soil in the new pot.

Read Next: 4 Common Reasons Your Prayer Plant’s Leaves Are Curling

Read the original article on The Spruce.