Prayer Plant (Maranta) Leaves - Not Folding. Why?

Hi all,

I have just recently bought a Prayer Plant (Maranta) from my local garden centre and it looked like it could do with a little tlc, which is what prompted me to buy it (that and the fact that I have always liked that plant).

When I got it home, I gave it a little pruning to tidy up the dead leaves and gave the plant a wipe with a wet cloth and got it looking healthy. A few days have passed now and I am concerned because the leaves are supposed to fold like hands in prayer (hence the name) and mine doesn't fold any leaves at all.

I keep it in my bedroom in a medium light and out of direct sun, my bedroom is quite a humid room and I have misted the leaves a couple of times during it's time at my house and kept it's soil moist but not too wet (all this information I got off the Internet). All of the leaves look healthy and the plant seems to be growing very well with new leaves sprouting up in many places.

I just worry that I am doing something wrong as I can't understand why they don't fold at night. Could this be due to the season at the moment?

Many thanks,

haych2104

Does it sit near a lamp or other source of light in the evening? That may be part of the problem. If not, give it some time to adjust to its new location and it should start responding to light/dark conditions.

I keep one in my bedroom. Shortly before falling to sleep, I would hear the leaves closing at night. It took me a while to recognize what the rustling sound was. LOL. On the other hand, I kept one in my den that did not wait until the light went off. We'd be watching TV at night and hear the rustling sound and see the leaves folding. It's so cute.

haych--lol! I was just thinking the same thing about a brand new prayer plant. Mine looks great and has grown since I bought it, but I have not seen it "pray" yet. I will check 2night after I have turned off the lights for a while..I just went to look at it and it was "standing up" but not in prayer. My plant has pink stipes on it...so nice!

Another possibility is that the plant wasn't identified correctly--many stores that sell houseplants aren't great about labeling things right so it could be something else other than prayer plant.

Here is a picture of mine...It would be ironic if it isn't a prayer plant as I wait for it to "pray"

Ok- I was finally up late at night and watched my prayer plant close up. I just went to bed too earlier to see it.

Yeah for you.

Simple answer: Too much light.

Mine only prays when it is really thirsty. So I don't water it till it prays again. Mine must be wierd. I got mine from my Grandmother's funeral. It is getting taller and leggy.