Troubleshooting Yellow Leaves on Prayer Plant

Primary Suspect: Hard Tap Water

Prayer Plants (Maranta leuconeura) are sensitive to fluoride, chlorine, and salts in tap water. Yellow/brown leaf margins are classic symptoms.

Immediate Fixes

1. Switch water: Use distilled, filtered, or rainwater only.
2. Water correctly: Wait until top inch of soil feels dry, then water thoroughly until it drains out. Never let sit in drainage water.
3. Light: "Filtered light" is vague. Place on a north or east windowsill with uncovered window all day. No direct sun.
4. Remove damaged leaves: They won't recover; trim at base.
5. No fertilizer for now.

Pot Size Note

An 8-inch pot for a 5-week-old plant may be too large. If the root ball is small, the excess soil stays wet, causing root issues. Consider moving to a 6-inch pot if roots don't fill the current one.

With pure water and proper watering, new growth should be healthy.