How To Propagate a Prayer Plant?

Some plants are much easier to look for than others. That is why new gardening enthusiasts are recommended to start out with low-maintenance plants such as Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (ZZ plants) and Maranta Leuconeura, more commonly known as prayer plants.

How to propagate Prayer Plants in different ways?

Not only do prayer plants thrive in simple living conditions, but they are also surprisingly easy to propagate. And there are several ways to propagate those gorgeous house plants – experiment with them to pick your preferred method!

Note: While it is super easy to grow new beautiful houseplants at home, It isn’t recommended to start propagating from November until early spring. The best time to propagate a maranta is summer since there is more than enough indirect, bright sunlight.

How to Grow a Prayer Plant from Cuttings?

Propagation from cuttings is a preferred method for many plant lovers. It’s easy, requires minimal work, and isn’t messy, unlike division. Not every plant can be cloned using this technique – for example, Laceleaf Weeping Japanese Red Maple. But for prayer plants, it works great. Taking the cuttings is a simple process.

1. Pick out a branch from the moth plant (at least 3 inches long) with some healthy leaves and identify a node on the stem. Nodes are small bumps on the stem where new leaves grow.
2. Use a clean and sharp pair of scissors or a knife to cut 1 to 2 inches below the node.
3. If the branch carries many leaves, remove the lower ones. You don’t want any leaves to get into the water or soil.

The best way to make a perfect cutting is if you snip just below the node.

How to Water Propagate Maranta Prayer Plant?

Water propagation is by far the easiest way to propagate your prayer plant. You’ll need the cutting you just took, a glass or a jar, and optionally a clear plastic bag and some rooting agent.

1. (Optional). Dip the end of your cutting into a rooting agent to encourage faster root growth.
2. Fill your glass with room temperature water and place your cutting in. The node on the stem should be underwater. Instead of tap water, use filtered water if possible.
3. (Optional). Cover the cutting and the glass with a clear plastic bag. This serves as a DIY greenhouse – the humidity can potentially speed up the rooting process. Water when you see the water level getting lower. Keep the glass in a bright and warm spot.
4. Plant the prayer plant cutting once it has grown big enough roots (2-3 inches). This can take from a couple of weeks up to a few months.

You should change the water every second day, but at least once a week.

Maranta Plant Soil propagation

Prayer plant stem cuttings can just as well be propagated in soil following the same process above. Take your cuttings, and plant them in moist soil – the node should be under the ground and all the leaves above the ground. Keep the cuttings in indirect light and the soil moist. And again, rooting hormones and a plastic bag are recommended.

Unlike cuttings in water, you won’t be able to see when the cutting has developed roots. To check on the root development, give your cutting a gentle tug – if you feel resistance, the cutting has grown roots under the soil. It takes about two weeks for the new roots to become strong enough.

How to Propagate Prayer Plants by root division?

Slip division is another effective and fast way to propagate prayer plants. Division basically means you will divide your plant into several plants. However, it’s worth mentioning that you need a mature plant with many stems for this technique.

1. Get new pots with some planting medium ready.
2. Remove your prayer plant from its pot and loosen the soil around it to expose the root system.
3. Gently tug the roots apart into sections.
4. After you have separated the roots into sections, plant each root section in a separate pot.

Maranta Leuconeura from seed

If you have access to prayer plant seeds, you can use them to grow a new plant. Generally, getting your hands on praying plant seeds is much more challenging than the growing process itself. That is because prayer plants rarely bloom when not in their natural environment. And without flowering, they don’t produce any seeds. So if you are one of the few lucky ones possessing a flowering prayer plant, here are the propagation steps:

1. Collect the seeds when you notice your plants blooming, as the blooming lasts for a short time.
2. Plant your seeds in a moist growing medium.
3. Place your seedling tray in a warm spot.
4. Cover the seedling tray with a tray cover or a clear plastic bag – this allows the seeds some humidity.
5. Water regularly to keep the soil moist.
6. Wait until you see the seed sprout and replant it when it has grown bigger.

Frequently Asked Questions