Are there any small, water-soaked spots on the leaves?
Are the leaves mottled and covered in a mosaic pattern?
Are the leaves distorted?
Are the leaves discolored, fine webbing may be present?
Helminthosporium leaf spot is a fungal disease that causes small, water-soaked spots to appear on prayer plant leaves. These spots soon yellow and spread, eventually becoming tan areas with yellow halos. This fungus takes hold when plants are overwatered and leaves frequently are covered in standing water. An application of neem oil or the fungicide chlorothalonil can kill active disease, but the prevention of future outbreaks is vital.
If the leaves are mottled and covered in a distinctive mosaic pattern, your prayer plant suffered from cucumber mosaic virus. There is no treatment for these diseases. Destroy infected plants. Control aphids to prevent infection.
Distorted and curled leaves are caused by aphids. These tiny insects cluster under leaves and on growing tips where they feed on plant sap. You can control them by washing them off the plant with water spray. Insecticidal soap should be used with severe infestations.
Spider mites are known to cause problems for prayer-plants. Hose off plants when symptoms first appear. A strong stream knocks mites off plants and may give control. Introduce predatory mites. For severe infestations, spray plants with insecticidal soap or pyrethrin.
If the tips of the leaves are turning brown or curling up, your prayer plant is getting too much light. Another cause for brown tips can also be the chlorine found in tap water. Use filtered water or let water sit for 24 hours before watering the plant.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/prayer-plant/yellow-prayer-plant-leaves.htm
https://www.epicgardening.com/prayer-plant/
Ellis, B. W., Bradley, F. M., & Atthowe, H. (1996). The Organic gardener's handbook of natural insect and disease control: a complete problem-solving guide to keeping your garden & yard healthy without chemicals. Emmaus, Pa.: Rodale Press.
Sreten null
Hi! I’m Sreten Filipović. I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Belgrade, with a master's degree in Environmental Protection in Agricultural Systems. I’ve worked as a researcher at Finland's Natural Resources Institute (LUKE) on a project aimed at adapting south-western Finland to drought episodes. I founded a consulting agency in the field of environment and agriculture to help farmers who want to implement the principles of sustainability on their farms. I’m also a founding member of the nonprofit organization Ecogenesis from Belgrade whose main goal is non-formal education on the environment and ecology. In my spare time, I like to write blog posts about sustainability, the environment, animal farming, horticulture, and plant protection. I’ve also published several science-fiction short stories.
You can find me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sreten-filipovi%C4%87-515aa5158/
