My prayer plants has yellow leafs at the bottom

by Donna James
(Lauderdale lakes florida)

I got this plant a week again i thought i was going good but i notice the small bottom leaves are turning yellow and the brown spots are on the un rolling leaves

Comments for My prayer plants has yellow leafs at the bottom

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 10, 2022

New Plants
by: Jacki Cammidge, Certified Horticulturist

All plants, even cast iron types like Maranta, will undergo changes in a new environment. Some of this damage could have already happened by the time you brought it home, so there is nothing you can do about that. All plants do occasionally lose their lower (older) leaves, so this could be what's happening with the ones that are yellowing. That is totally normal, but watch it in case it doesn't just stop after a few.

The other issue of the spots seems more serious, to me. This could be one of the many bacterial or fungal diseases that plants can get. Especially if stressed, which it would be when adjusting to a new environment.

One disease that prayer plants are prone to is a fungal infection called Helminthosporium Leaf Spot - the symptoms sound a lot like your picture. The cure seems to be to stop any kind of overhead watering to avoid getting the leaves wet.

Do not over water these plants, ever. It
is easier to prevent this issue than try to treat it. The leaf spot already started will take over the whole plant (it may already be too late). These are not the easiest of plants - they require consistent care, a bright spot in curtain filtered light, and tempered water only when they start to dry out a bit (not bone dry, just damp) and attention when there is a problem.

Oct 10, 2022

Thanks for your help
by: Donna James

Thank you! Do you think I should cut off that leaf or just leave it alone cause it still
Moves around with the sun.. or return it and get a nicer one?

Oct 10, 2022

Moving
by: Jacki

I don't believe the way these plants close up in lower light levels is an indication of health. If you could replace it, and get one that doesn't seem to have the leaf spot problem, that would help to give you another chance. However, if it's from the same source, the chances are good that it may also have the same issue. Sorry, I have no other suggestions except to get your money back and go to a different supplier.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Ask the Horticulturist.