The others have a point about the darkness, but this is also totally normal for this plant. Maranta leuconeura are called prayer plants for this reason. During the day the leaves hang, and in the evening and through the night their leaves rise up like hands in prayer. I can actually hear one of mine move some evenings and mornings.
houseplantjournal
This plant normally has daily leaf angle changes, which is why it’s commonly called “prayer plant” – your plant’s leaf angles look totally fine. But for long term growth, you need to put it right in front of a window – this is a dark hole (as previously mentioned). One or two hours of direct sun through a window is tolerable as long as you keep up with watering.
MasterpieceMinimum42
Prayer plants prefer bright light, or else the leaves won’t close up during night.
mana-milk
Well, you’ve imprisoned it in a sadness cube.
Vanilla_Neko
Because it’s in a dark cabinet
A lot of plants that are advertised as being tolerant of low light still prefer a decent amount of light. Being tolerant of low light just means they probably aren’t going to die while being in there but they certainly aren’t going to thrive
Thin_Tower9230
I’d be sad too if you stuck me in a box.
senile_butterfly
Poor plant.
Jay2Jee
You too would be sad if you lived in a tiny box like this
Expensive_Ear3791
Why is it stuffed in a cave? It’s a plant
DynamicallyDisabled
Light. If you want it in a box, put a plant light in there, too.
CanYouhearTheS1lence
It needs more light
_wjs3_
Why is it in a dark cabinet that’s dark on 5 sides?
Lynda73
Because it’s in a dark cabinet?
greatfunaideco
FYI, moved it to a dark hole as the leaves were slumping when placed in sunlight. I thought maybe it was because of excessive sunlight. It gets light at least 5 hours a day
anticomet
The same reason the orcas at sea world are sad
No_Carry_3991
uh…because it’s in a box???
Ok_Sentence_6115
It doesn’t like the location
a_fizzle_sizzle
Because it’s a calathea!
hellogelato4
Well first it’s a calathea and second you have him trapped in a dark prison
ocean_flan
The perspective on the first photo made me think you had this GARGANTUAN maranta in a sterile white room a la space odyssey 2001
hellabob420
They move with the light. Move it to a spot where is gets more light.
anOvenofWitches
“A box! My boy’s a box!”
Then-Magician1107
Needs air circulation, and make sure water is able to drain.
ToBePacific
Plants like light. Some might go so far as to say they need it.
Kho240
Cause it’s a maranta
dznyadct91
Good grief I’d be sad too if I lived in a cramped, dark box. Give her some sun and she’ll be super happy!
Key_Ring6211
Needs water, window, some love!
gnndfntlqt
No light ahhh why poor fellow
GirlULove2Love
What crimes did this plant commit that it deserves solitary confinement?
ElaineMK2222
Wants to see the sky
Jake_Corona
This is like asking why prison inmates are always sad.
32 Comments
Because you have it in a dark hole
The others have a point about the darkness, but this is also totally normal for this plant. Maranta leuconeura are called prayer plants for this reason. During the day the leaves hang, and in the evening and through the night their leaves rise up like hands in prayer. I can actually hear one of mine move some evenings and mornings.
This plant normally has daily leaf angle changes, which is why it’s commonly called “prayer plant” – your plant’s leaf angles look totally fine. But for long term growth, you need to put it right in front of a window – this is a dark hole (as previously mentioned). One or two hours of direct sun through a window is tolerable as long as you keep up with watering.
Prayer plants prefer bright light, or else the leaves won’t close up during night.
Well, you’ve imprisoned it in a sadness cube.
Because it’s in a dark cabinet
A lot of plants that are advertised as being tolerant of low light still prefer a decent amount of light. Being tolerant of low light just means they probably aren’t going to die while being in there but they certainly aren’t going to thrive
I’d be sad too if you stuck me in a box.
Poor plant.
You too would be sad if you lived in a tiny box like this
Why is it stuffed in a cave? It’s a plant
Light. If you want it in a box, put a plant light in there, too.
It needs more light
Why is it in a dark cabinet that’s dark on 5 sides?
Because it’s in a dark cabinet?
FYI, moved it to a dark hole as the leaves were slumping when placed in sunlight. I thought maybe it was because of excessive sunlight. It gets light at least 5 hours a day
The same reason the orcas at sea world are sad
uh…because it’s in a box???
It doesn’t like the location
Because it’s a calathea!
Well first it’s a calathea and second you have him trapped in a dark prison
The perspective on the first photo made me think you had this GARGANTUAN maranta in a sterile white room a la space odyssey 2001
They move with the light. Move it to a spot where is gets more light.
“A box! My boy’s a box!”
Needs air circulation, and make sure water is able to drain.
Plants like light. Some might go so far as to say they need it.
Cause it’s a maranta
Good grief I’d be sad too if I lived in a cramped, dark box. Give her some sun and she’ll be super happy!
Needs water, window, some love!
No light ahhh why poor fellow
What crimes did this plant commit that it deserves solitary confinement?
Wants to see the sky
This is like asking why prison inmates are always sad.