Noticing Prayer Plants fungus is possibly the worst for indoor gardeners. This disease can leave you with unsightly plant leaves that mess up your aesthetics.
Luckily, there are ways to treat prayer plant fungus, and in this article, I share how. You’ll also come across a few other tips to help you take better care of this indoor plant!
Does My Prayer Plant Have Root Rot?
Root rot is pervasive in most plants. Some gardeners would even say it is the most common issue they face in their gardens. You can spot root rot when it has invaded your Prayer Plant by looking out for a few signs.
- Yellow Leaves: No plant should have yellow leaves. If your Prayer Plant’s leaves start turning yellow, even at the tips, you should prepare to fix the root rot.
- Brown Stems: Bright green stems are a sign of healthy Prayer Plants. If the stems turn brown and wilt, you have a problem. The stems support the entire plant and transport water and nutrients to the leaves. Ill-looking stems will cause your plant’s health to deteriorate.
- Droopy Plant: Prayer Plants close in the evening when there is no light. Although they look slightly different during this time, they should never look sad and droopy. It is a clear sign that something underlying is wrong with your plant.
Fortunately, you can save your plant if root rot is the culprit. Start by making changes to your watering schedule. Root rot typically indicates overwatering.
You can also repot your plant into a bigger container and provide it with soil that drains better. Sometimes you may need to cut rotten pieces off the roots, depending on the severity of the root rot.
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How Often Should a Prayer Plant Be Watered?
Prayer Plants are tropical, which means they enjoy humidity and water. However, it would be best if you didn’t overwater them. Many issues can arise.
Never use ice-cold or boiling water when watering your plant. They are susceptible to temperature, and you may kill them. If you prefer cooked or bottled water, leave it out to reach room temperature first.
Always wait for the top of the soil to dry out. Your fingertip shouldn’t come out wet if you press it into the top layer of the ground. On the other hand, the soil shouldn’t have a chance to dry out completely before the next watering session.
It’s best to water your plant every morning. Check the soil to see if it’s dry before watering. The water should drain thoroughly. If you notice water pooling on top, you’re overwatering your plant.
Over- and underwatering can leave damage your Prayer Plant. The overall look of your plant won’t be as pretty because yellow, droopy leaf tips are a common warning sign.
Root rot and fungal issues are just a few of the other problems that your plant could be facing.
Prayer Plant Fungus Issues: Causes And Identification
Helminthosporium Leaf Spot
Identification: The first tell-tale sign of this nasty fungus is yellow spots on your pretty Prayer Plant leaves. The leaves are the main focus of these plants, making getting rid of this fungus a bit more urgent.
The spots will become more prominent tan markings when the fungus starts spreading and progressing. You can still tell it is the same fungus since the blotches will be circled with yellow rings.
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Causes: This type of fungus is caused by water. If you are over-irrigating your plants, the leaves will stay wet. The yellow spots develop at the exact location where drops of water accumulate. If the water lies in the same place for too long, the fungus appears.
Solution: You may need to treat your plant to a dosage of fungicides if the problem persists. Try cutting off the infected leaves to stop the fungus from spreading to the entire plant.
Prevention: Hydrating your plant without getting water on the leaves is the best way to prevent this fungal disease.
Why Is My Prayer Plant Leaves Curling And Dying?
Prayer plants have large, flat leaves. They shouldn’t be curling up or changing color. There are a few things that can cause curly, unhealthy leaves:
Underwatering: Dead leaves and dry tips indicate that your Prayer Plant is thirsty. Although overwatering is scary, and you may be trying to prevent it, you shouldn’t let your plant dry out.
Water Quality: Tap water has a lot of added minerals, salts, and other things that aren’t good for your plant. The chlorine and fluoride in water can harm your plant’s health, and dying leaves will be the first hint.
Temperature: Prayer Plants enjoy warm, humid places. If the air conditioning is causing your plants to freeze, they’ll tell you. The same goes for dry, warm air flow around your plant.
Should I Cut Off Brown Leaves On My Prayer Plant?
Yes, it would help if you cut the brown leaves off. Doing this has many benefits, and your plant will thank you in the long run. Most of the time, the issues that cause brown leaves are solvable, but the leaves can’t be saved. Once they turn brown, they’ll dry up until they fall off.
The aesthetic of your plant will look much better if it is full of healthy green leaves. Plus, cutting the ugly pieces off allows new leaves to grow.
Leaving the brown leaves to sit out and wait brings down the look of your plant. Nobody wants dead plants unless it’s Halloween and you’re using it as decorative pieces!
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Final Words – Prayer Plant Fungus Issues
Prayer plants are undoubtedly one of the most stunning indoor plants there are! But, having one of these in your home can quickly become an eyesore if it develops fungi. Being on the lookout for and acting at first sight of problems is the best way to combat fungus.
I hope this article gave you enough info to stop prayer plant fungus infestations. If you have more questions about handling this, ask them in the comments!
Natasha is an avid gardener and lover of nature. She grew up in a rural area surrounded by flowers, trees, and birds. She was inspired by this environment to grow her own garden. Natasha spends her weekends tending to her garden and taking care of her plants. She also enjoys hiking and exploring different areas to find new and interesting plants to add to her collection. Natasha‘s love of gardening has also inspired her to take classes and study horticulture. Her knowledge of plants, flowers, and trees is extensive and her garden is a testament to her hard work. Natasha loves to share her passion of gardening with others and often hosts gardening events in her community. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and gardening is infectious and she is always eager to help others learn about gardening.