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About Sweet Prayer Plant
Thaumatococcus daniellii, otherwise known as the sweet prayer plant, is a plant that is rapidly increasing in popularity. Native to Western Africa, they have long been grown and cultivated for their wide variety of uses. The sweet prayer plant is a natural source of thaumatin, an important sweetener that’s over 3000x times sweeter than sucrose. The plant has gained attention around the world and their genes have even been added to cucumbers to increase their sweetness. 🍬
Some research suggests that they also have antimicrobial properties. Many parts of the plant have important uses. The seeds have jelly that can be used to replace agar, their fruit is used in traditional medicine as a laxative, the leaves are used for wrapping foods and weaving mats and roofing, and the leaf sap used as antivenom for stings and bites. They are also used to prevent weeds, as the foliage grows across the ground and prevents weeds from sprouting up. 🌱
Taxonomy
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Thaumatococcus
Marantaceae
Zingiberales
Also known as
Moi Moi and Thaumataococuss daneillii

How to care for Sweet Prayer Plant

How often to water your Sweet Prayer Plant

every 7
Sweet Prayer Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 7 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
7

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.

Select a city to check sunlight intensity

Finding light for Sweet Prayer Plant in your home

a window
Sweet Prayer Plant love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
Sweet Prayer Plant does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Sweet Prayer Plant in your home 🏡.

How to fertilize Sweet Prayer Plant

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Sweet Prayer Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Sweet Prayer Plant is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!
Water Needs
Sweet Prayer Plant is sensitive to dry soil and should be watered frequently. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Sweet Prayer Plant requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Sweet Prayer Plant is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.
Humidity
Sweet Prayer Plant doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Sweet Prayer Plant does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Sweet Prayer Plant should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
Sweet Prayer Plant does not have a typical pattern of dormancy. If you notice their growth slowing down substantially, double check that they are getting enough sunlight and water to thrive!
Native Region
Sweet Prayer Plant is native to Western Africa.
Flowers
Yes, you may see your Sweet Prayer Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.
Growth Pattern
Sweet Prayer Plant is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
Sweet Prayer Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12a. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
Sweet Prayer Plant can be propagated by division into new individual plants.
- Check to see if there is more than one plant. In some cases they may still be beneath the soil surface. If you feel confident, you may remove the soil to check for baby plantlets below!
- If there are multiple plants growing, unpot the plant and gently tug the plants apart, being careful not to disturb too many of the roots. They may be connected by large root segments which you may need to break to free the plantlet.
- Pot up the new plant in well-draining soil
- Repot the parent plant back into its original pot
Yellow Leaves
Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant retiring old leaves.
If it seems like there’s a problem, the most likely cause of yellow leaves in Sweet Prayer Plant is underwatering. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Yellow leaves can less often be caused by overwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.
Give your plant a good drink and it should perk back up and download Greg to make sure your plant never goes thirsty again!
Care Summary for Sweet Prayer Plant
Sweet Prayer Plant
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 7 days

< 1ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
