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PROTECT YOUR DNA WITH QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayDo you want to grow stunning, multicolored prayer plants this season? As beautiful as they are, some diseases can take them out if you’re not careful. In this article, horticulture expert Matt Dursum covers common prayer plant diseases to watch for this season.
Written by Matt Dursum Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: February 27, 2025 | 2 min read
The prayer plants (Maranta leuconeura) are some of the most beautiful houseplants you can grow, with their radiant leaf patterns and broad foliage. They’re easy to maintain if they have bright, indirect light, consistent watering, and warm indoor temperatures.
They come from the tropical forests of Brazil and bring a tropical vibe to any home. Many varieties are available, and they can be easily found in nurseries across the country. Although they’re easy to care for, these striking tropical perennials are susceptible to some diseases. It’s important to know what to look for and how to treat the symptoms.
If you catch these diseases early, you’ll have a better shot at treating your prayer plants before it’s too late. Let’s dive into the common 5 prayer plant diseases to watch for below.
Root Rot
This disease weakens plants by infecting roots, causing discoloration, wilting, stunted growth, and eventual death.Root rot is a common disease in houseplants like prayer plants. It’s caused by infections in the root system. The disease wears down your plants, causing them to lose leaf color and wilt. Their growth will be stunted, and they will slowly die.
A small amount of soil-dwelling fungi, oomycetes, and molds cause this devastating disease. Soil contains lots of microbes, most of which are beneficial to your plants. However, if the conditions are right, a few will feed on the roots, causing them to decay.
At the beginning of the infection, look for stunted growth. You may see your prayer plant’s beautiful leaves turn yellow and mushy, and eventually droop. The stems may also lose their structure and appear limp and lifeless.
The soil may give off a foul rotten smell. This is a clear indicator that the roots are decaying underneath.
The best way to prevent root rot is by not letting your houseplant’s soil become too soggy. These microbes thrive in wet conditions. Below are the best ways to prevent root rot from infecting your houseplant.
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- Plant in well-drained soil
- Use containers with plenty of drainage holes
- Don’t overwater your plants. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
If you see these symptoms, decrease the watering and misting. With clean pruners, clip away discolored leaves and stems. Continue watering or misting your plants once the soil is dry.
If the problem continues, there’s nothing else you can do. You’ll have to replace your houseplant and adjust your watering schedule.
Fungal Leaf Spot
Leaf spot appears as brown, reddish, or black lesions that expand when conditions are too wet.Leaf spot is a common disease that infects the leaves of prayer plants and other houseplants.
Many species of fungi can cause the disease. It normally occurs when the plant’s growing conditions are too wet.
If you catch the disease early, you can save your prayer plant. It’s important to act quickly before the disease spreads to other houseplants.
Look for small discolored lesions on the leaves. They’ll appear brown to reddish brown or even black. They can combine to form a larger lesion that grows over time.
They spread quickly and will eventually attack the stems. Leaf drop and severe dieback are the most common results if you leave the disease untreated.
It’s easy to prevent fungal leaf spots from developing. The key is growing your houseplants in an environment that’s not too moist. Below are a few tips for keeping them disease-free.
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- Water early in the day to give your plant time to dry off.
- Keep watering directed at the soil and not the leaves.
- Only mist your plants when they appear too dry.
- Space your plants apart to allow enough aeration between the leaves.
If you see signs of leaf spots on your plant’s leaves, move it away from other plants immediately. This will stop the spread of the disease and make it more manageable.
Treat the infected leaves with an organic fungicide, such as neem oil. Follow the product’s instructions on how to dilute and apply the oil. Cover the diseased leaves and repeat the treatment until the disease goes away.
Reduce watering and misting to make the growing environment less moist. By changing the environment and treating it with fungicide, your infected plant should bounce back.
Gray Mold
Gray mold creates water-soaked spots that turn brown, spreading spores that infect other houseplants.Gray mold is a common issue that infects most indoor houseplants. The mold Botrytis cinerea causes the infection. It creates powdery grey spots on the leaves that grow to brown splotches. Eventually, the leaf will wilt and die.
If you leave it untreated, the gray spores will become visible. When this happens, they can spread and infect your other indoor houseplants. Once you notice an infection, act quickly.
Look for fuzzy spots on the leaves. In the early stages, they will appear white or off-colored. As they progress, they’ll turn brown. You may see gray or dust-colored spores on the infected area.
Space your plants away from each other to help improve air circulation between the leaves. Water and mist in the morning and give the foliage time to dry. Consider using a dehumidifier if your home has high humidity.
Try using an organic neem oil solution or diluted copper fungicide. Follow the product’s directions and keep applying until the mold infection disappears.
Bacterial Leaf Spot
Warm, humid conditions encourage bacteria that cause brown lesions with yellow borders on foliage.Several types of bacteria can cause bacterial leaf spot. Although it’s not as common as other diseases, it can wreak havoc on your houseplants. The most common strains that cause this disease are Xanthomonas, Acidovorax genera, and Pseudomonas.
These bacteria flourish when the environment is warm and humid. If your home has high humidity and warmth, it could create the perfect environment for bacterial growth.
Look for small to medium-sized brown lesions with yellow borders on the leaves or occasionally stems. They’ll eventually merge to create larger infections.
The most common cause is purchasing plants, cuttings, or seeds already infected with the bacteria. Buy your plants from a reputable nursery or online supplier.
At home, try not to grow your houseplants too close together. Water gently to avoid splashing, which could transfer the bacteria from one plant to another.
Trim all the infected parts of the plant and dispose of them in the trash. Use disinfected pruners and disinfect them again once you’re done to prevent transferring bacteria to other plants. Whatever you do, don’t dispose of the infected leaves in your compost.
After trimming away the infected leaves and stems, treat your plants with a liquid copper soap. Monitor them for signs the disease has returned and treat them with soap once more. Keep them away from other plants until the disease is gone.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew spreads fast, covering plants in a gray, powder-like coating as infections worsen.Powdery mildew is one of the most common houseplant diseases. It can infect almost every plant and spread quickly. Several species of fungi cause it and each one has its preferred host. If left untreated, the mildew will block photosynthesis and slow down growth.
Look for a powder-like gray coating on the leaves and stems. The worse the infection gets, the more the plant will be covered in the substance.
Water directly on the soil and avoid adding moisture to the leaves. Space your plants far apart to improve circulation. Remove dead leaves or plant debris from the topsoil or other nearby plants. Keep the humidity of your home at medium levels.
Treat powdery mildew by trimming away diseased foliage. Throw it in the trash and not in compost bins. Try using an organic copper fungicide to treat severe infections.
If the mildew keeps progressing, it would be best to dispose of your prayer plant and get a new one. Quarantine it away from your other houseplants and make sure the mildew doesn’t spread.
Final Thoughts
The best way to keep your prayer plants disease-free is by controlling humidity, moisture levels in the soil, and improving air circulation. Grow them in well-drained soil and give them plenty of space to improve aeration between the leaves. If you know the signs of these diseases and what to do to treat them, you’ll keep your houseplants happy for a long time.
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