Hello everyone! So, prayer plants…they are a beautiful addition to any household and getting one, or more, for your home would not go amiss.
But, did you know that you can get more than one plant out of your current prayer plant? That’s what propagation is, using the leaves or stems from a ‘mother plant’ and using that to grow a whole new plant.
That’s what this article is about. We are going to tell you all about prayer plant propagation and everything else you need to know. So, let’s get started.
When Is The Best Time To Propagate A Prayer Plant?
The best time to propagate a prayer plant is in the spring when plants are active and roots are large. This time of year is also when prayer plants are no longer dormant and actively growing.
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The Best Ways To Propagate A Prayer Plant
There are several ways you can propagate a prayer plant. In this article, we are going to go over many of these methods, so you can pick one that suits you best. So, without further ado, let us begin.
Root Division Propagation
This type of propagation is usually done when you are repotting your prayer plant. That is because this method involves shaking the dirt off the roots before you can do it.
This method sounds scary, but it is actually super simple and with a little guidance you should be able to do a root divide without killing your mother plant.
Before we see how you do this method, let us see what you will need to do root division on your plant.
What Do You Need?
- Scissors or Knife – You will need a pair of scissors or a knife. make sure that either one is sharp and sterile so that you make clean cuts. By doing this you reduce the risk of damaging your plant too much.
- Plant Pot – You will need one or more pots available to plant your divided prayer plants in. Make sure that they are an appropriate size.
- Soil – Before you begin you will need a well-draining soil. It is recommended that you have soil that has peat moss, and a bit of sand to make the ideal home for your prayer plants.
Below you will see a simple step-by-step guide on how to propagate using the root division method. Let’s get started:
Step 1 – To start you will need to take the mother plant out of its pot. Try to get off the excess soil, but be gentle as the roots of these plants can be quite fragile.
You will need to make sure that you can easily see the roots, so you can make an accurate cut in the following steps.
Step 2 – Now that you can see the root system you will need to look for a part of your plant that has its own root system.
Once you find a spot like this you need to use a small sharp knife to divide the plant into smaller portions. You can use your hands if you are careful.
If you notice that the roots are tangled you should use your knife or a pair of sharp sterile scissors to separate the new plant from the mother plant.
Make sure that each plant you divide has its own root system and try to not damage the mother plant’s root system if you can help it.
Step 3 – Time is of the essence. If you are too slow you run the risk of your new plant’s roots drying out and stressing out the mother plant.
Once you have your new little plants you will need to plant them in pots filled with soil. Make sure that each pot is the correct size and water the propagated plant well before you continue.
Soil Propagation
This is a very simple method you can use if you want to propagate your plants in the spring or summer months. Even amateur gardeners should have little trouble with this type of propagation.
Before we look into how soil propagation works, let’s see what we will need before we begin.
What Do You Need?
- Scissors or Garden Clippers – You will need a pair of sharp-cutting implements. You should also make sure that they are sterilized so that no harmful foreign bodies make your mother plant or your cutting sick.
- Cutting – You will, of course, require a cutting from your mother plant. Make sure to cut below a leaf node that is near the bottom of the plant.
- Soil – Before you start you will need an appropriate soil mix for your new cuttings. It is recommended that you get soil that has peat moss, vermiculite, and compost in it for the best results.
- Plant Pot – You will need a plant pot that is an appropriate size for your prayer plant cutting.
- Plastic Bag or Clingfilm – You will need a plastic covering to seal in the warmth and moisture of your cutting.
Below you will see a basic step-by-step guide on how to propagate a prayer plant using the soil method.
Step 1 – First you will need to get a cutting from your mother plant. When you are choosing a stem you should pick one from a thriving section of your plant and make your cut near the bottom of the stem just below a leaf node.
While you are doing this it is important that you do not damage the mother plant or the leaf node. Make sure that the cut is clean so that the plan does not suffer any excessive damage.
Step 2 – Your next step is to place the cutting into a pot with appropriate soil in it.
Step 3 – It is critical that your cuttings get the warmth and moisture it needs so they can grow roots and thrive as a new plant.
So, your next job is to cover the soil with plastic to trap the moisture and warmth in the pot. Once the pot and soil is covered, use your scissors to poke some holes in the plastic.
This is to allow a restricted airflow to help your plant breathe.
Step 4 – Now all that is left is to place your cutting in a nice warm and sunny spot. This will help warm the plant up and by extension create the perfect environment for your prayer plant to grow.
Slip Propagation
This type of propagation is similar to root division and just about has the same steps.
But it is slightly different. But before we look at the steps more closely, let’s take a look at what you will need to slip propagate.
What Do You Need?
- Plant Pot – You will need several appropriately sized pot plants that you can use to plant your slips into after they have been separated.
- Mother Plant – You will need a healthy mother plant with plenty of leaves.
- Soil – You will need appropriate well-draining soil. It is recommended that you use soil that has peat moss and vermiculite in it.
We have written a set of simple steps on how you can easily slip propagate your prayer plant. So, let’s take a look:
Step 1 – You first need to take the mother plant out of the pot and clean off the soil, so you can see what you are doing.
Step 2 – Now you will need to carefully hold your mother plant upside down. Using your fingers you will need to carefully and gently separate roots into little sections.
Your goal here is to separate your large prayer plant into numerous individual plants.
Step 3 – Now all you have to do is plant your slips into pots you have prepared already. Make sure that easy slip is planted at the same depth as it was before.
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How To Care For A Prayer Plant
Regardless of whether you have started propagating prayer plants or you just bought one of these plants fully grown at your local garden center you might want to know a bit about how to care for them.
So, we have included a section that will tell you about some basic needs of a prayer plant.
Water
You should water your prayer plant twice a week, only watering when it appears to be looking thirsty. The best time to water is right before bedtime. Because you can never tell when they will wake up again.
You should use lukewarm water because cold water can shock the plant causing it to shut itself off.
And heat kills your plants! Just be careful about overwatering these indoor plants, if the soil gets too moist or waterlogged it can result in your prayer plant developing root rot.
So make sure to give these plants the right amount of water.
Light
The amount of sunlight your prayer plant receives influences its growth rate. Although you cannot control the time of day you expose your plant to light, you can make sure you bring it indoors at night or keep it inside during winter.
If you live in a region where there is lots of sunlight, then you might consider positioning your plant somewhere where there is shade.
However, if you live in a shady area, then you definitely want to position your prayer plant outside under full sunlight.
Soil
Prayer plants like soil that contains a lot of peat moss. Peat moss helps the plant absorb nutrients from the air while also being extremely moist making it great for houseplants.
There are many other types of soils but if you want to start thinking outside the box then you could try starting the seedlings in something dry like sand then transplant them when they are bigger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions surrounding the prayer plant. Let’s take a look!
Where Is The Leaf Node On A Prayer Plant?
The leaf node of a prayer plant can be found in the center of a new root system, where it looks like a little ball. It should be about the size of a pea.
How Do You Divide A Prayer Plant?
You divide a prayer plant by pruning back your prayer plant’s main stem and removing any of its leaves. This will help prevent it from growing too aggressively, but you should always be careful not to cut off its water supply.
Does A Prayer Plant Need Sun?
Yes, your prayer plant needs bright and indirect sunlight. If your prayer plant gets too much sun exposure, it can grow like crazy and become very thick and bushy.
It also will lose its bloom colors faster when exposed to direct sunlight.
Does A Prayer Plant Flower?
Prayer plants generally don’t flower as much as other types of houseplants, but they do produce small buds at times — usually in spring or fall. The flowers are extremely tiny, so you’ll have to wait until the bud opens up to see what kind of flower it produces.
Do Prayer Plants Require Repotting Every Spring?
No! All that’s required is to remove the dying roots and soak the rest of your prayer plant in some sort of fertilizer. It will then start producing new roots once again.
Are Prayer Plants Cold-Hardy?
In general, most prayer plants will stay healthy throughout all four seasons. However, you might want to place them outside during winter if you’re unsure about their cold-hardiness.
As long as you provide your prayer plant with enough light and warmth, it will probably make it through whatever weather we have here in Florida.
Just keep an eye out for pest infestations.
Can I Use Fertilizer On My Prayer Plant?
Fertilizers can sometimes cause problems when used incorrectly, so make sure to read the instructions that come along with your prayer plants’ fertilizer carefully.
For instance, many fertilizers contain nitrogen, which encourages new growth. When this happens, it could mean that your prayer plant will get taller and thicker.
But too much nitrogen can also damage your prayer plant’s root system, causing it to rot eventually. So be careful.
Final Thoughts
Propagating prayer plants is super simple and something that you should be able to do easily with a bit of practice. We hope that you have terrific luck propagating your prayer plant. Good luck gardening!
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The majority of people who have no interest in the subject, and aren’t green fingered assume that all plants and vegetables require the same growing conditions. This is not the case at all. Each plant has its own unique and interesting history and growing process.
I hope you will find The Natural List useful, and that it will help educate you on the wide variety of different flower and plant species there are across the globe.
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