Common Fishbone Prayer Plant Problems (and How to Fix Them Fast)

Wilting, curling, or yellowing leaves on your Fishbone Prayer Plant usually mean issues with water, light, or humidity. The good news? Most problems are easy to fix with consistent care and the right environment.

What does an unhealthy Fishbone Prayer Plant look like?

Look for these common red flags:

• Leaves curling inwards or folding at night and staying that way
• Brown edges or tips
• Drooping or limp stems
• Yellow patches or fading color
• Slow or no new growth
• Sticky spots or webbing from pests

Each symptom is your plant’s SOS. Let’s break down exactly what’s going wrong—and how to fix it.

Why are my Fishbone Prayer Plant leaves curling?

Curling leaves are usually a cry for water or humidity. But they can also signal over-fertilizing or too much sun.

Pro Tip: Fishbone Prayer Plants close their leaves at night—but if they stay curled during the day, it’s a sign of stress.

Why are the leaf tips turning brown?

Brown tips mean dry air, inconsistent watering, or too much light. Fishbone Prayer Plants are sensitive to dry indoor air and tap water chemicals.

Quick Fixes:

• Use filtered or distilled water
• Water on a regular schedule (don’t let it go bone dry)
• Keep away from direct sun or radiators
• Group with other plants to raise humidity

Pro Tip: Trim brown tips with clean scissors, but don’t cut into the healthy green part.

What causes yellow leaves on a Fishbone Prayer Plant?

Yellowing leaves often mean overwatering or low light. Sometimes it’s just old leaves dying off naturally.

Quick Fixes:

• Feel the soil—if soggy, wait longer to water
• Use well-draining soil with perlite or orchid bark
• Move to a brighter spot with indirect light
• Remove yellow leaves to redirect energy to healthy ones

Pro Tip: Soggy roots can kill your plant fast, so always empty the saucer after watering.

Why is my Fishbone Prayer Plant drooping or wilting?

Drooping usually means root trouble—either too much or too little water.

Pro Tip: If it perks up within a few hours after watering, underwatering was the problem.

Why isn’t my Fishbone Prayer Plant growing?

Stunted growth means it’s not getting what it needs—usually light, space, or nutrients.

Quick Fixes:

• Place in bright, indirect light (east or north window)
• Repot if rootbound (check for roots circling the pot)
• Feed monthly with a gentle liquid fertilizer (spring-summer)
• Ensure temps stay above 60°F

Pro Tip: These plants grow slowly in winter—don’t panic unless the issue continues into spring.

What pests attack Fishbone Prayer Plants?

Spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs love hiding under the striped leaves.

Signs of Infestation:

• Tiny webs or sticky residue
• Speckled or faded leaves
• Crawling bugs on stems or undersides

Fix It Fast:

• Spray with neem oil weekly
• Wipe leaves with soapy water
• Quarantine new or infested plants

Pro Tip: Regular leaf showers (in the sink or tub) keep pests away and humidity up.

How do I prevent Fishbone Prayer Plant problems?

Here’s your simple care checklist:

🪴 Weekly Care Routine:

• Water when top inch is dry
• Wipe leaves to keep pests away
• Rotate the pot for even growth
• Check for drooping/curling signs early

📋 Environmental Must-Haves:

• Bright, indirect light (never direct sun)
• Consistent humidity (aim for 50–60%)
• Temperatures between 65–80°F
• Airflow without cold drafts
• Well-draining soil with added perlite

Check our Essentials Fishbone Prayer growing tips

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Fishbone Prayer Plants (Ctenanthe burle-marxii) are sensitive but totally fixable when issues arise. Most problems—curling, drooping, yellowing—come down to watering, light, and humidity. With consistent care and fast fixes, your plant will bounce back fast.

Give it steady care and it’ll bounce back with bold stripes and rhythmic leaf movement.