How To Care For a Maranta Lemon Lime Prayer Plant

The Maranta, or Lemon Lime Prayer plant, is a fascinating beast! Its closing petals seem to resemble hands in prayer. But do you know how to care for a Lemon Lime Prayer plant for the best growth?

This plant tends to thrive on plenty of water – but there’s more to it than just giving your greenery a quick bath every so often. 

Let’s look at everything you need to know, and first – how you should pick your first Lemon Lime.

Selecting a Lemon Lime Prayer plant

When choosing a Lemon Lime Prayer plant, check that its leaves look vibrant and healthy. Beware of any recently snipped stems that may have been diseased and removed.

Color combinations vary, but these plants have a striking appearance – some will probably appeal more to you than others! 

This plant’s leaves should be oval-shaped and nicely firm, not flaccid. Sometimes, you may find one of these plants in flower – which can be a bonus for collecting seeds from later! Its flowers should be a delicate pale pink and very small.

Many Lemon Lime plants have stripes and flecks, meaning the odd dotting isn’t always a sign of disease. Always check that your prospective plant is free from pests, too, before taking it home with you.

Where should I place my Lemon Lime Prayer plant?

Lemon Lime Prayer plants prefer brightly lit places but do not do well in direct sunlight. Consider space, too! Reaching between 12 and 24 inches tall, they can achieve a girth of up to 18 inches – but average around 12 inches in width. 

They are happy on window sills away from drafts and need rooting in a well-draining growth medium. Ideally, they enjoy warm temperatures of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit – but direct sunlight will harm them.

Think about where you’d like to show off your beautiful new plant! They have gorgeous foliage, and their movement can be fascinating – yes, you read correctly – they can move!

Lemon Limes close their leaves together at night and open them up slowly during the morning. Position them where you can see this happening!

How much water do Lemon Lime Prayer plants need?

These plants need to dry out only for a short time between watering. They prefer regular doses of water little and often, rather than being drenched.

They thrive in humid atmospheres, so bathrooms with window sills are great for showing them off. Alternatively, give them a treat by misting them occasionally! While you’re at it, why not look for a few other bathroom plants to house close by?

It’s a good idea to place their pots on a tray of pebbles. This will help keep a localized zone of moisture from runoff water after giving your plant a drink. 

Do be careful not to overindulge these plants with water. They will wilt and be susceptible to root rot if the compost becomes soggy.

When should I repot my Lemon Lime Prayer plant?

Only ever repot your Lemon Lime Prayer plant when it outgrows its home. This can be soon after the point of purchase if it is becoming pot-bound – e.g., just before the growth period starting at the end of spring.

Older plants reach their maximum dimensions and can remain in the same pot for a long time. What will need changing, however, is the growth medium.

Lemon Lime Prayer plants use up nutrients in pots and will require fertilizer. Ideally, you should replace their growth medium with fresh compost every couple of years. At that time, check the roots for damage and ensure they have enough space.

When should I give my Lemon Lime Prayer plant fertilizer?

For optimum results, give your Lemon Lime plant fertilizer regularly during the growth season, typically between the months of April and August. 

By the end of August, your plant will start to slow down on stem growth, though may occasionally produce further leaves. The typical Lemon Lime will continue to have actively mobile leaves, but will otherwise start slowing down for rest. 

Can I propagate Lemon Lime Prayer plants?

Yes – it’s not only easy to propagate and care for new Lemon Lime plants, there are several ways you can do so.

You can propagate Lemon Lime Prayer plants:

  • From seeds
  • Through root division
  • In water

Let’s take a quick look at each method so you can start creating your own Prayer plant jungle.

Propagating Lemon Lime Prayer plants from seeds

woman planting seeds in biodegradable pots

You can either grab seeds from existing plants or purchase them online or at a garden store. If collecting seeds, remember that Prayer plants do flower but only for a short time – you need to act fast!

Seeds need to be sown individually, not in a cluster. Placed on moist compost, lightly dust them with a further compost cover and place them in a warm spot. 

It may be good to further protect them with a clear plastic bag. This will trap humidity and keep them away from drafts. 

If successful, you will see signs of life after approximately 14 days. Remember to keep seedlings moist but not soaked. Allow some fresh air into the area, then cover again for protection for at least another week. 

Propagating Lemon Lime Prayer plants by dividing roots

For this method, you’ll need a mature plant with visible stems sprouting up through its container surface. You’ll need to choose “slips” to propagate, but take caution! It’s important to select large slips with a portion of root without causing perilous wounds to the mother plant.

Do this by gently removing the mother plant from the pot and gently tap away any loose compost. Don’t allow the root system to dry out completely by taking too long!

Select the number of slips to set by first unraveling any tangled roots. You should be able to identify which roots are attached to slips. Ease these away from the mother plant and the larger root system. 

Plant them immediately in one large pot, ensuring they are spaced out. Once they have developed sufficiently, you can plant them in individual pots. 

Alternatively, plant them in small individual pots and place them in a trough on a layer of pebbles or on individual saucers!

Propagating Lemon Lime Prayer plants in water

To propagate this way, yall you need are glass jars, water, a plastic bag, and a cutting tool. A knife or scissors will do the job.

Simply take a cutting from the stem beneath a leaf node. You must have at least one node to take a successful cutting. Cut half an inch below so that roots can easily form from the stem.

Pop the cutting straight into dechlorinated water and ensure the node is beneath the water’s surface. Water should be tepid, not freezing cold or too hot.

Place a plastic bag over your cuttings and store them in a well-lit place but away from direct sunlight. It will take between two and four weeks for roots to form. They need to be over an inch long before they can be placed in a pot with a growth medium. 

It’s wise to cover the newly potted cuttings with a plastic bag for extra protection for a week and a half to allow them to get acclimatized!

Are Lemon Lime Prayer plants at risk of diseases and pests?

Sadly, yes – your Lemon Lime plant will normally succumb to root rot and stem rot if you overwater them. Check your plant’s tips for brown discoloration and curling.

They’re also likely to get invaded by mealybugs and spider mites – so make sure to use a plant-kind insecticide or pesticide to send them on their way.

Lemon Lime Prayer plants are some of the most gorgeous houseplants you’ll ever hope to host. As you can see, caring for them doesn’t have to be tricky, either!

Take the advice above into account and you’ll have a hardy grower that looks great all year round.