How To Propagate Prayer Plant Step-By-Step

Root division involves dividing the plant into smaller sections and repotting them individually. This method is ideal for overgrown plants, especially the Calatheas variety, which require transplanting. 

Root division is best done in spring and should be avoided at all costs during winter and fall. However, ensure your mature prayer plant has many stems for this technique, and note that division may make your prayer plant look sparse.

Remove Plant from Pot

You don’t want to damage the plant while removing it from the pot, so take precautions. Do not pull the stems or leaves to remove the plant. Instead, squeeze the sides of the plant pot or run a knife along the pot edges to loosen the roots. 

Then, turn the container sideways to pull the plant out gently because the roots might be tightly wound or hooked around the pot base. Hurrying damages the roots. The plants can handle a bit of rough handling, but you don’t want to take the risk.

Tease the Roots

Brush away the soil on the roots lightly so that they are visible. Gently pull apart the coiled roots from the bottom. The more you divide the roots, the easier it will be to identify the sections. Remove the soil simultaneously as you work your way up. 

As you continue pulling apart the roots, look out for issues such as fungus or root rot. Cut away any roots that feel slimy, are saturated in moisture, or appear dark-colored rather than yellow or white. This step could take a while if your plant is big, but do it patiently, or your mistakes might affect the next step.

Divide the Roots

If you look closely, you will notice groups of roots connected naturally to groups of stems. These independent root clusters have several strong stems and some leaves, making for independent plants.

Once you identify the sections, separate the plant while keeping a healthy number of roots with each section. You can divide it in half to keep as many leaves with each section as possible or in three if it is large enough. If they are tangled or difficult to separate, sterilize sharp scissors or gardening shears with rubbing alcohol, then cut the roots. 

Repot Each Section

Fill as many containers as there are sections with fresh potting mix. The texture of the new mix should be similar to what the plant was in to ensure the plant sections are comfortable in their new home and do not get transplant shock. 

Make a hole in the center of the pots and replant your divisions at the same level they were initially in. Do not bury the stems deeply to reduce the risk of root rot. Tamp down the mix around the base and water immediately to help the roots settle in their new home. Do this step quickly to avoid stressing the plants further.

After Care

The sections will thrive if placed in bright, indirect sunlight and receive adequate water in spring and summer to maintain soil moistness. You can reduce watering in fall and winter. 

Fertilize your plant every 2 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength by mixing half the instructed amount of fertilizer into a full amount of water. Only fertilize once a month in the fall and winter. 

Many prefer using stem cuttings for the propagation of prayer plants because it is simple and requires minimal work. This method is ideal if the plants are not fully developed and lack established root systems. 

Choose A Stem

A healthy stem will root quickly. One ideal for cutting has two or more leaves and shows no signs of disease or damage. Next, locate the nodes on the stem before you cut it. Nodes are the little bumps along the stem that can be felt when you run a finger along the length. If your cutting does not have a node, it might die instead of rooting. 

You can also look for points where a single stem splits into three or four leaves to speed up root development. You can use stems with a single leaf as it will root successfully under the right conditions.

Trim the Stem

Using your shears, cut the stem off just below the node you identified. Cut at least one inch below the node to prevent any potential node damage. Ensure your shears are sharp to avoid hacking at the stems and damaging the parent plant and the cut base.

You can take multiple cuttings for more prayer plants if your plant is large. Choose stems on opposite sides to keep the plant neat or off overgrown areas. 

Rooting in Water

This is optional, but you can dip the bottom inch of the cutting into the rooting hormone to stimulate quicker root growth. Then, pop the cutting in a glass of water (ideally room temperature) so that you can watch the progress of the root growth.

Use a tall glass if you don’t want the leaves to topple the cutting out of the glass or a vase with a narrow opening. You can experiment with what you have till you find something suitable. 

After Care

Place the glass in an area with brightness and heat, but not in the sun, as it will burn the leaves within a few hours. This will, in turn, affect their growth and rooting.

You should top up the water to keep the node fully submerged at all times. Should the water ever dry out, the cutting will not take root. Change the water every week and clean the container to prevent bacteria growth. After a few weeks, the root should grow to an inch or two. It is ready to be transferred to a pot filled with a well-draining mixture.

Water your plant regularly, and feed it fertilizer every two weeks while the warm months last and once a month during the coldest months. You can use this method to propagate most prayer plant variety. 

Prayer plant stem cuttings can also be propagated in soil following the process above. While it is easier to watch the progress of the root growth in a glass with water, planting straight in the soil leads to stronger root growth and decreases the complication of transplanting after roots have grown.

Start with a large container to bury the cutting and keep it anchored. Then, fill it with a light propagating mix of equal parts coconut coir and perlite. If not, you can work with what you have by following recipes online.

Pour your propagation medium into the container and water it down so that the soil is moistened but not soggy, with excess draining easily from the bottom of the container to avoid rotting. Then, make a hole using your finger in the center of the pot and bury the cutting, leaving the leaves exposed. Gently press around the cutting to hold it in place.

If you have many cuttings, you can plant them together along the edges of the same container. Alternatively, you can pot them together when transplanting or move individual ones into separate pots for their continued growth. You can use this technique to propagate rubber plants as well, another popular plant. 

The right time for propagating houseplants like prayer plants is from spring to the end of summer. Warmth induces the fastest root growth, allowing for transplanting before colder temperatures, which slow growth in autumn and winter. 

However, there are no absolutes when propagating prayer plants at the right time. One of the best things about these plants is you can control the growing environment to make them do what you want. So, if you want to propagate during autumn or winter, put the pot or glass in the warmest room and never worry about rooting broods. 

You can propagate a prayer plant using two methods: either by cuttings or by division. Both ways are straightforward and deliver results. Your choice ultimately depends on the size of your plant and the effort you are willing to invest in the process.

Root division is the best route for those with a large plant who want one or two additional plants without waiting long for cuttings to fill out in a container. In this method, you start with slightly older plants, so your plants immediately look more mature. These plants also have developed root systems, meaning you can care for them normally since no special needs or transplanting is required.

Stem cuttings are better for growing multiple prayer plants at the same time. You would take several cuttings at once to increase the chances for success and grow far more plants yearly than waiting for roots that can be divided. They also look great in vases while rooting, and you can monitor the progress and enjoy the foliage.

You can grow a new prayer plant from their seeds if you get your hands on some. Seeds are usually hard to come by and rarer than successfully growing the plant. 

This is because these plants do not flower unless in their natural environment on the forest floor of Central and South America. Flowering is a precursor to seed formation. So, If you have one of the rare flowering types of prayer plant, here are the propagation steps:

1. Collect the Seeds 

Once the seed pods are dry and start to crack open, carefully collect them to prevent seeds from falling out. Open the pods and remove the seeds. Gently clean off any plant debris to prepare the seeds for storage or planting

2. Prepare Seed Medium

Now, you need a growing medium that supports germination and healthy growth. A light, well-draining mix is ideal because it retains enough moisture for the seeds to sprout while preventing waterlogging, which can lead to rot or fungal issues.

If making your own, blend about two parts peat moss with one part sand. The mix should feel airy and crumbly. Lightly dampen the mix before planting seeds. It should feel moist but not dripping wet.

3. Plant the Seed

Plant the seed in the soil mix at a depth of 2 times their diameter. This allows light and air to penetrate, which some seeds need to germinate.

Water the soil evenly. It should be moist, like a damp sponge, so avoid water pooling.

4. Place Seeds in a Warm Spot

Most seeds require a temperature of 65° to 75°F for germination. So, you could place your seed containers near a warm place or a heater with the proper precautions to increase the ambient temperature.

Another approach is to put a plant heating pad directly under the seed containers. Remember to monitor the moisture when using any additional heat source because the seeds may dry out instead of germinating.

5. Maintain Humidity

Place the pot under a plastic dome, cling wrap, or a clear plastic bag to trap moisture and replicate the greenhouse effect. This prevents the soil from drying out and keeps it humid

6. Transplant After Germination 

Wait until you see the seed sprout and the seedlings are 2–3 inches tall with at least two to three true leaves and transplant in a new pot.

Although the prayer plant is generally hardy and easy to care for, sometimes you may encounter problems while caring for it. Below are some examples and ways to troubleshoot them:

1. Low Germination Rates (For Seeds)

Prayer plant seeds may have low germination rates, not sprout, or take a long time to germinate. This is typical of many tropical plants, like prayer plants, especially if the seed is old. Seeds become less viable with time, reducing the chances of successful propagation.

Fresh seeds have a much better chance of sprouting, so collect freshly harvested seeds. They may take time to germinate, anywhere from weeks to months. However, if one maintains an optimum growth environment during the wait, the chances of success will increase.

2. Root Rot

When the plant’s roots are starved of oxygen, they rot. This is caused by overwatering, which occurs because of improper drainage and watering too frequently. It is not visible, and you might have to remove the plant from the pot for confirmation. 

Root rot is difficult to treat. All you can do is remove the rotten parts and plant them in fresh soil. However, if the decay is widespread, the plant is better off dead. It is better to prevent the problem by using well-draining soil than to solve it. Also, check soil moisture regularly and only water if the first inch feels dry. 

3. Pests

Ideal growing conditions and increased humidity can also create a habitat for pests like spider mites, fungus gnats, and aphids. Untreated, these pests can kill the prayer plants or cause stunted growth.

Look for signs of infestation, like webs, tiny flying insects, sticky residues on both sides of the leaf, and soil surface. You can get rid of them using an insecticidal soap or neem oil. 

4. Fungal or Mold Growth

Mold or fungal growth on the soil surface is a problem you could encounter after propagating your prayer plant. Your hydrangea. Molds thrive in continuously wet environments, signifying that your plants are getting too much water or the soil is not draining well. 

Ensure the soil is damp and not soaked. Check the moisture level with a finger-in-soil test or moisture meter before watering and allow the uppermost soil to dry out slightly between watering. A soil mix that drains well will also help prevent water from accumulating at the roots and reduce the chance of fungal infections.