Prayer plant dying is when you see that the plant looks very weak and it, but, there is nothing to be anxious about because our article, here, is to help you to determine the possible reasons and how you are going to fix them.
Some things may be simpler than you think, and if you tackle them, you have an excellent chance in fixing up your plant back to life again. We will also include a care guide to aid you in growing your plant, so continue reading.
Contents
What Are Reasons Why Prayer Plant is Dying?
The prayer plant is dying due to under-watering, overwatering, root rot, pest infestation, incorrect temperatures, incorrect light, nutrient deficiency, disease, and rootbound. In addition, it may also be due to incorrect potting mix, transplant shock, and humidity issues are the possible reasons why your prayer plant is dying.
– Underwatering
If you notice your prayer plant leaves are starting to wilt, underwatering might be one of the reasons why it is happening. The prayer plant is prone to damage because of dry spells. It is more sensitive to drought and dry soil than to wet soil. Most of the time, damages as such are irreversible, so make sure to check the soil at the first sign of wilting.
– Overwatering
The prayer plant’s natural habitat is in the tropics of Latin America, where the soil is fertile and moist but well-draining. These exact growing conditions are what your plant needs to thrive and flourish. If you see your prayer plant leaves turning yellow or turning brown, drooping, and the stems wilting, you might be overwatering them.
– Root Rot
Having wet soil for a long period, which usually happens when your soil is not draining well, makes it more likely for root rot to occur. It is fatal, and if you don’t detect it on time, you may have to start growing a new prayer plant all over again. To easily identify root rot, look for soft and mushy roots as opposed to the firm and white roots of a healthy plant.
– Pest Infestation
The common pests affecting prayer plants are spider mites and mealybugs. These pests typically attack this plant. In short, if you notice your prayer plant leaves turning brown or having a white substance on them, your plant might be experiencing pest infestation. Left untreated could lead to other infections, so do not underestimate the little bugs hovering around.
– Incorrect Temperatures
You must remember prayer plant is a tropical plant that is exposed to high temperatures all year round in its natural habitat. This is why when it receives inadequate temperature levels, it will slow its growth and might impact its survival; it asks for the right environmental conditions to thrive, and when it is lacking, the plant will weaken in the long run.
– Incorrect Light
Prayer plant prefers dappled light rather than bright direct sun. Direct sun exposure may cause the burning of the leaves and threaten these plants’ survival as they are not used to it. You will notice your prayer plant turning brown and becoming brittle because the sun’s scorching heat causes chlorophyll breakdown in the leaf.
– Nutrient Deficiency
We all know that any living thing that is lacking in nutrients will struggle to survive. The same thing goes with your prayer plant. It requires a sufficient amount of nutrition to help it to continue to grow healthy and keep its vigor.
– Disease
There are numerous diseases that might affect your prayer plant and make it wilt and droop. It will show common symptoms, such as leaves turning yellow, dry, and having spots.
Your prayer plant being on the verge of death is probably because of an issue or two that you may not know about, and the diseases that have not been treated with from the beginning are one of them if you left it till the end. By the time you notice these symptoms, it might have already dealt a lot of damage, so consult with a specialist as soon as possible to avoid irreversible damage.
– Rootbound
Rootbound is a condition where roots are overcrowded until there is no room left for them to grow. It causes the drooping of the plant, having brown or yellow leaves, and exhibiting stunted growth. This is why regular repotting and using the right pot size are essential to your plant’s growth.
Using the incorrect potting soil will leave your prayer plant vulnerable to root problems over time. You must be sure that you are using the right potting soil when repotting.
– Transplant Shock
Transplant shock happens to a prayer plant when the root ball is exposed to the air for a long period of time, such that the roots dry out during the procedure of repotting. This is when you have just transplanted, and the plant is not getting used to the new environment, that is starts to show weakening signs.
– Humidity Issues
Another common reason a prayer plant does not survive in a home setting is humidity issues. You will see such signs as browning, curling, or drooping of the leaves if your plant is experiencing problems with humidity.
What Are Ways to Treat Your Dying Prayer Plant
Ways to treat your dying prayer plant are by regularly watering it, checking for root rot, getting rid of pests, and monitoring the temperature. Then manage the light conditions and humidity and properly fertilize it, treat the diseases, use the right soil, avoid transplantation shock.
– Regular Watering
The prayer plant prefers wet and moist soil than dry soil. So, ensure that your plant receives water regularly and does not have dry soil for a prolonged period. Include in your prayer plant care list to keep the water shallow when watering to avoid the risks of overwatering and keep your plant in vigorous health.
Note that if you have a Maranta leuconeura type of this plant, it would prefers distilled or filtered water or rainwater and not tap water. So as you water it, make sure that it isn’t filled with harsh chemicals.
Avoid overwatering by allowing the soil to dry out in between each time you irrigate. Situate your plant in a shady spot for a few days. Inspect the roots and check for root rot, which usually happens when you are overwatering. If the roots are still in good condition, you may continue to water your plant regularly but moderately using room temperature water.
– Check for Root Rot
To ensure your plant is experiencing root rot, gently dig the soil around its perimeter. Once you have loosened the soil, pull the plant, and check its root ball. If the root ball is already damaged, you are already too late.
Unfortunately, your plant will not survive in that state, so you may have to throw it away. On the flip side, if only some of the roots are damaged, you may trim off the damaged ones and repot the good ones using fresh soil.
– Get Rid of Pests
To get rid of pests, you may use neem oil. It is a natural pesticide that does not contaminate the environment and has no side effects. Dilute neem oil with water, add a few drops of liquid soap, and transfer it to a spray bottle for easy application. Reapply as needed.
You may also use a solution of 70 percent isopropyl rubbing alcohol and water, which you can dab directly on mealybugs or use a cotton swab to kill them. You will need to do this procedure every week until the infestation disappears.
– Monitor the Temperatures
Ensure that your plant is always exposed to temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid problems caused by cold temperatures. Place a heat mat under its pot to maintain the temperature it needs.
– Manage Light Conditions
Be mindful of your plant’s light conditions, and keep it away from excess light by situating it in a location with bright but indirect sunlight to avoid any harm that causes damage like having brown leaf. You may opt to put a lace curtain in the window to filter the sunlight.
– Properly Fertilize It
Take note that your prayer plant is a heavy feeder. To keep up with the nutrients it needs, grow it in rich and fertile soil, and feed it with plenty of fertilizer once every two weeks from the spring through the fall. During the winter, reduce fertilizing to once a month. Apply the fertilizer at half strength during growth spurts to avoid shocking the plant.
– Treat Diseases
Given that there are several diseases that might affect your prayer plant and different pathogens causing them, it is best to seek professional help to find the best treatment for each disease.
– Use the Right Pot and Mix
To determine if your plant is rootbound, check for the signs. Have a look at the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot, and see if the roots are coming out. It is advisable to use a pot that is two inches larger than the old one to provide room for your growing plant, put the right soil mix, plant your prayer plant, and water it right away.
Your prayer plant prefers to grow in a potting mix containing perlite, loamy soil, and peat moss at a 1:1:2 ratio and with a soil pH between 5.5 and 6. Providing the preferred potting soil will help with your plant’s growth and nutrition.
– Avoid Transplant Shock
To avoid transplant shock, remember to prepare the new pot first, and add the potting soil and other organic materials before digging out the plant. Do this as quickly as possible to keep the root ball from being exposed to the air longer than necessary.
– Adjust the Air Humidity
Your prayer plant needs 80 percent humidity levels all the time. You can use a humidifier to increase the air humidity inside the house. You can also spray your plant with a fine mist of water during the summer season. Do this at least two to three times a week to maintain the humidity.
Try the simple yet popular pebble tray method to increase humidity. It is done by putting your plant on a tray with pebbles. First, you will need a clean tray or a shallow dish and fill it with at least one inch of small rocks or pebbles. Place your plant on top of the pebbles, put water halfway up the pebbles, and it’s done.
Just make sure that the pot is not sitting in water to avoid root rot. Remember to keep it clean by changing the water regularly.
Conclusion
This tropical plant requires specific plant care to flourish, especially in a home setting. Here’s a quick recap:
- Ensuring you have provided all the maintenance and care it requires for a great help for your plant’s survival so water your plant regularly, but keep it shallow.
- Feed your plant all year round using a houseplant fertilizer.
- Keep the air humidity at the right levels.
- Repot your plant regularly.
- Avoid exposing them to bright direct sunlight.
Upon reading and following all our advice and tips in this article, all the issues your plant is experiencing will be resolved, and it can be saved from dying, which we bet your prayer plant will surely thank you for.
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