Prayer Plant and Pepper Plant Care

Two plants, one search

People searching “prayer pepper plant care” usually mean one of two things: caring for a prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) and caring for a pepper plant, or a plant they have heard called a prayer pepper. This guide covers the prayer plant in detail and then the two most common meanings of “pepper plant”:

Pepper plants in the sense of chili and sweet peppers (Capsicum), including ornamental chili plants grown in pots (see indoor ornamental pepper plant care).
Peperomia, sometimes called pepper face or radiator plant, a compact houseplant that is unrelated to edible peppers.

If you are not sure which you have, check the label or the fruit: pepper plants (Capsicum) produce small pods or fruits, while peperomias have thick, glossy or textured leaves and produce thin flower spikes.

What does a prayer plant look like?

The prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura) is a low, spreading plant with oval leaves about 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long. The common forms have:

Dark green or brown blotches on a lighter green leaf (often called rabbit’s foot).
Red or pink veins on dark green leaves (red-veined or red prayer plant).
Purplish or reddish undersides.

It spreads outward and can trail over the edge of a pot or hanging basket. At night the leaves rise and fold together, which gives the plant its name. It is related to calatheas; for the wider family, see Is a peacock plant a prayer plant?

Prayer plant care basics

Light: medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun can scorch and fade the leaves; very low light leads to weak growth.
Water: keep the soil lightly and evenly moist, watering when the top inch or so feels dry. Avoid both soggy soil and long dry spells.
Water type: filtered, rain or distilled water is often suggested because prayer plants can show brown leaf edges with mineral-heavy tap water.
Humidity: higher than typical indoor air is better, and a humidifier is more reliable than misting.
Temperature: warm and steady, about 18 to 27 C (65 to 80 F). Prayer plants dislike cold drafts and temperatures that drop low.
Soil and pot: a loose, well-draining mix and a pot with drainage holes. Repot every year or two in spring.
Feeding: a diluted balanced fertilizer every few weeks in spring and summer, none in winter.

Many of these needs match calatheas; the calathea care guide goes into more detail on watering, humidity and troubleshooting.

How to revive a prayer plant

First work out what went wrong, since the fix differs.

Check the soil. Bone dry soil with drooping, curled leaves suggests underwatering. Water thoroughly, let it drain, and keep an eye on it over the next day or two; plants often recover within days.
Check for overwatering. Soggy soil, yellowing leaves and a sour smell suggest root problems. Let the soil dry slightly, make sure the pot drains, and if the roots look brown and mushy, trim them and repot in fresh mix.
Check the light. Move scorched or bleached plants back from direct sun, and dull, leggy plants closer to a brighter window.
Check humidity and drafts. Crispy edges often mean dry air. Move away from heaters and cold windows.
Check for pests. Look under the leaves for webbing or tiny specks, which can mean spider mites.
Trim. Cut off fully dead leaves at the base. Brown tips will not turn green again, so trim them only for appearance.

A prayer plant that has lost many leaves can still regrow from the base if the roots are healthy. Be patient and avoid changing many things at once.

Are coffee grounds good for a prayer plant?

There is no strong evidence that coffee grounds are a reliable fertilizer for prayer plants, and used grounds can cause problems when put on top of the soil, such as compacting, holding too much moisture, or growing mold. If you want to try them, add only a very small amount, mix them thoroughly into compost first, and do not rely on them as a fix for struggling plants. A diluted houseplant fertilizer is a more predictable choice. Keep grounds away from pets, as coffee can be harmful if eaten.

Pepper plant care (Capsicum)

Chili and sweet pepper plants are warm-season, sun-loving plants, quite unlike a prayer plant.

Light: as much bright light as you can give, usually direct sun for several hours a day or a strong grow light. Without enough light, plants grow tall and produce little fruit.
Water: keep the soil evenly moist; do not let it dry out completely but avoid waterlogging. Pots must drain.
Temperature: warm. Peppers struggle in cold, and growth slows below about 15 C (60 F).
Feeding: peppers use more feed than many houseplants; a balanced fertilizer, then one with more potassium once flowers and fruit appear, is a typical approach.
Pollination: flowers on indoor plants may need a little help, such as gentle shaking or brushing with a soft brush.

How to revive a pepper plant

Wilting in dry soil: water thoroughly, and provide shade if it was in very hot sun.
Wilting in wet soil: root rot is possible. Improve drainage, let the top layer dry, and repot in fresh mix if needed.
Dropping flowers or leaves: often caused by sudden temperature changes, too little light, or irregular watering. Keep conditions steady.
Yellow leaves: can come from over- or underwatering or a lack of nutrients. Check watering first.
Pests: aphids and spider mites are common. Rinse the plant and treat with a product that is labelled for edible plants if you plan to eat the fruit.

If you meant Peperomia

For a full guide, see our peperomia care guide. Peperomias (sometimes called pepper face or radiator plants) prefer bright, indirect light and need much less water than prayer plants, because their thick leaves store moisture. Let the soil dry out partway between waterings, and avoid overwatering, which is the most common cause of failure. They tolerate typical room humidity without fuss.

Pet and child safety

Be conservative and check the exact plant:

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura): listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Peperomia: also generally listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Pepper plants (Capsicum): these belong to the nightshade family. Ornamental pepper plants are listed by the ASPCA as toxic to pets, and the fruits contain capsaicin, which can irritate the mouth, eyes and stomach. Treat pepper plants and their fruits as unsuitable for pets and young children, and keep them out of reach. Wash hands after handling hot peppers and avoid touching your eyes.

Non-toxic does not mean safe to eat for any plant. If a pet or child has eaten part of a plant and seems unwell, contact a vet, poison control or a doctor promptly.