---
title: "Prayer plant is super top heavy. I’m still new to the whole pruning…"
description: "Prayer plant is super top heavy. I’m still new to the whole pruning of plants. How would one go about getting this plant back to its perky, lighter self? Also…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/l87cz92gDKKeFpvGlDPwQs"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Jenn"
published: "2025-03-31T23:07:16.872527Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mMLTvMkaD1k0Yp00xOkorX4h1hLVGbIsNTDExGnHIMY/GK_uE2i6RKW_6GJb4KbLgA.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md)

# Prayer plant is super top heavy. I’m still new to the whole pruning…

_Posted by Jenn on 2025-03-31_

Prayer plant is super top heavy. I’m still new to the whole pruning of plants. How would one go about getting this plant back to its perky, lighter self?

Also came back home to it having a spider mite problem. I hate those things 😖 sprayed it off and put a neem oil concoction on it.

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mMLTvMkaD1k0Yp00xOkorX4h1hLVGbIsNTDExGnHIMY/GK_uE2i6RKW_6GJb4KbLgA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mMLTvMkaD1k0Yp00xOkorX4h1hLVGbIsNTDExGnHIMY/QnwXpDULSHia1XpHHZk7Yg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/mMLTvMkaD1k0Yp00xOkorX4h1hLVGbIsNTDExGnHIMY/QvCPcih-TDWt8_5s4OQFqw.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### Jacob :) commented on 2025-03-31

There are two yellow leaves that need pruned. Some plant stakes to hold it up would be a good idea. I would say move to stakes before anything else, just to get the plant standing and healthier. After that you can prune 1/4 of the plants leaves at a time, at most, 3 times a year, again, at most. Removing more than 1/4 of the leaves gives a decent chance of hurting the plant. You can also watch a video to give more answers on how and when to prune. It still looks pretty healthy though, which is impressive with how many leaves are on it. And of course, prune the least healthy leaves. Hope this helps!

### Jenn commented on 2025-03-31

Stakes it is! I’ll give that a go. Thanks.

#### Jacob :) replied on 2025-03-31

I would also watch a video on how to use plant stakes. It seems simple but it was very tedious when I did it, there is a chance that some professional have good tips and tricks. Good luck and no problem!

### West Coast Plants commented on 2025-04-01

Prayer plants are trailing plants, more like vines. They are not climbers so they don’t need stakes. It’s normal for it to trail out of its pot as in its native habitat it crawls on the ground. I would prune yes, but I would actually suggest trying to repot it in such a way that the centers I more full so it can get bushier. But again, it being top heavy, so to speak, it not a problem.

---

_Source: the Planta community (https://getplanta.com). Reading is open to everyone. To post, comment and like, get the Planta app: https://getplanta.com/download_
