HouseplantsDiscover the right indoor plants for your home.
Sweet Dreams ® Exotica . picture by : Proven success
If you ’ve never heard of a never never implant ( Ctenanthe ) , you ’re not alone . Although it looks standardized to the popularprayer plantand belongs to the same family , this attractively variegated houseplant has only recently started to gain a following , thanks to the initiation of new cultivar that greatly expand the kitchen stove of leafage color and pattern . Each plant is overwhelmingly unique , with some run around intricate fishbone markings while others are adorned by bluff stripes and blotch .
Because never never plants are native to tropical rainforest , they can be a bit fussy about their growing conditions and require consistent watering and high humidity to thrive . But if you could meet its canonic needs , this head - turning houseplant make a wonderful gain to any indoor plant collection .
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page : Basics|Growing Tips|Care|Varieties|FAQs
On this page :
BASICS
Botanical name:
Ctenanthespp . ( prounounced ten - AN - thee )
Common names:
Never never institute , fishbone prayer plant , bamburanta
Origin:
aboriginal to tropic rain forest of Central and South America
Care level:
temperate
Light:
Medium to burnished , indirect light source
Height:
1 to 4 feet , depending on the variety
Foliage:
Features elliptical or ellipse - mould folio with distinctive markings and diversification . leafage colors crop from argent grizzly to grim special K , with some cause purple or Burgundy wine undersides .
Flowers:
May produce small , insignificant white prime in summertime , but this is a rare occurrent when plants are grown indoors .
Fun fact:
Like many plants in the prayer plant family unit ( Marantaceae),Ctenanthefolds up its leaf at night , giving them the appearance of praying hands . When the sunlight returns in the morning time , the leave blossom forth again to a flat side . This circadian movement , callednyctinasty , occur in response to change in light strength .
GROWING CTENANTHE PLANTS
Where to grow:
Never never plants perform better in spiritualist to bright collateral light , such as near a north- or eastern United States - confront window . Avoid placing them next to a window that get lineal sunshine , unless it is other break of the day or later good afternoon sun . photo to direct noon Sunday can singe the leaves .
Temperature and humidity:
Like many tropical houseplants , never never plant prefers temperate to high levels of humidity and well-heeled way temperatures of 60 ° to 85 ° F. To increase humidity , use a humidifier , obnubilate the leaves regularly , or set your plant on a shallow tray filled with pebble and water . See morehouseplants that fly high in humidness .
Also , forefend placing your never never constitute near drafty windows or heating vents . If the foliage tips set forth wrick brown and crispy , it is likely that your plant life is suffering from a lack of humidness .
Soil type:
employ a high - calibre , all - function potting intermixture that drains well . To avail promote drainage and improve airflow , consider adding some perlite or orchid barque to the mix .
Pot requirements:
plant life in a stack somewhat large in diam than the rootball and with adequate drainage hole to help prevent root hogwash .
Sweet Dreams ® Grey Star . Photo by : Proven winner
CTENANTHE PLANT CARE
Watering:
BecauseCtenantheis a rainforest plant , it loves consistently moist but not waterlogged soil . For the dear results , water thoroughly when the top 1 to 2 inch of soil feels dry to the ghost , allowing the excess water to run out from the bottom of the mass . Do not reserve your plant to sit in stick out water , which can result in chlorosis ( yellow of the leaves ) and root rot .
steer : Never never works are sensitive to impurity and salts in pat water , which can result in leaf spotting . It ’s good to water supply using distilled or filtered piddle or tap water that has been left out overnight so the mineral can settle down . The water should also be at way temperature to avoid shock to the industrial plant ’s root word system .
Fertilizing:
Apply a balanced water - soluble plant food diluted to one-half strength once a month during spring through early fall , when your plant is actively grow . go for off on fertilizing during the later fall and winter months , when plant life growth slows .
Pruning:
Because of its bushy ontogeny habit , Ctenantherarely require dress to maintain its shape . However , you should trim off any all in or browning leaf back to the base of the plant to encourage healthy , raw growth .
Leaf care:
To keep the beautiful leaf of your never never engraft dust - free , now and then wipe the leaf with a moist cloth or sponge . Cleaning the foliage regularly also yield you a good chance to check for louse pests that might be hiding on the undersides of the leaf .
Repotting:
Ctenanthegrows fairly tardily , so it can more often than not stay in the same skunk for 2 to 3 year before it ’s quick for a new home plate . If your flora begins showing signs of becoming rootbound , move it to a pot about 2 inches big in diam than the current one and fill it with refreshed potting mixing . The best time to repot is in spring or early summertime , when the root are actively growing and will benefit from the excess space .
Pests and diseases:
Be on the watch for common houseplant pests , particularly wanderer soupcon , aphids , and mealybug . If you mark any signs of an plague , isolate your industrial plant and put up treatment immediately . Learn and treating the most vernacular houseplant pests .
CTENANTHE PLANT VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven winner
Sweet Dreams ® NeverLand ™ —Buy now from Proven WinnersCtenanthe lubbersiana
big , oblong dark green leaves show off brilliant splashes of favourable yellow , as if dipped in gold fairy dust . Growing to a height of up to 4 metrical unit , this Ctenanthe is idealistic for economic consumption as an eye - trance focal point in a brightly lit room .
Mature height:2 to 4 feet
More Info & observe a Local leafjoy ® retail merchant
Sweet Dreams ® ExoticaCtenanthe setosa
Broad brushstrokes of olive dark-green pop against a background of silvery gray foliage . When the leaves fold up in orison at night , they reveal wine - red undersides and stems .
Mature height:1 to 3 fundament
Sweet Dreams ® Grey StarCtenanthe setosa
Elegant grey - green leaf perched on top of bamboo - like stems are accent by slender dark green crease and midrib . To prevent scorching of the pale foliage , avoid placing near a windowpane that receives direct sunlight .
Sweet Dreams ® Burle - MarxiiCtenanthe burle - marxii
Sometimes called fishbone petition plant , this classic never never plant sport a fishbone - same pattern of sullen green transmission line on a canvas of pallid mint - green leaves . At night , the leaves fold up to show off burgundy - purple undersides .
senesce height:6 to 12 inches
Sweet Dreams ® AmagrisCtenanthe burle - marxii ' Amagris '
Similar to Sweet Dreams ® Burle - Marxii but with a more intricate fishbone practice of thin , dark greenish lines on small oval - shaped leaf . Grows to a height of no more than 12 inches , ca-ca it idealistic for display on desks and tabletop .
Sweet Dreams ® First Frost ™ Ctenanthe setosa
Smooth , egg-shaped , silvern unripe leaves have prominent green lines radiate from the midvein . Like otherCtenanthe , this flora appreciates a boost in humidity by being placed on a pebble tray filled with water or near a humidifier .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sweet Dreams ® Burle - Marxii . Photo by : Proven Winners
Is Ctenanthe a good indoor plant?
In its aboriginal home ground , never never flora resides in the understory of tropic forests and therefore adapt well to the depressed light levels and warmth of an indoor environment . This make it an splendid houseplant , as long as you cater to its needs for frequent watering and stack of humidity .
During the summer , you could also grow never never plant outside in a shady position . However , it is very sensible to ice exposure and must be moved indoors in the gloaming in all but the warmest climate .
Are never never plants toxic?
Ctenanthes are non - toxic and safe for multitude and pet , but can cause stomach disquieted if absorb in gravid amount .
Is Ctenanthe a prayer plant?
Ctenanthe is related to the prayer plant ( Maranta ) and belongs to the same kin , along withCalatheaandStromanthe . All these plants are do it for their colorful foliage and share interchangeable care necessity . However , there are some conflict in foliage shapes , leaf patterns , and growth substance abuse .
Does Ctenanthe need sun?
Yes , but you should avoid exposing your industrial plant to channelise sunlight . Bright or filtered light is ideal forCtenantheand will leave in the most vibrant foliage color . At lower light levels the leave may start turn a loss their variegation and growth can become leggy .
Does never never plant like to be rootbound?
If you want your never never found to remain healthy and grow to its full potential , you should repot it before it becomes rootbound . If you point out that the territory does n’t hold wet for long and the origin begin to pry out of the potty ’s drain holes , those are signs that it ’s clip for repotting .
Why are the leaves of my ctenanthe plant curling?
Leaves that fold up at night are normal for a never never implant , but if they remain curled during the day , that is often a sign of distraint . verify the room temperature is between 60 ° to 85 ° F and increase the humidness if necessary . YourCtenanthemay also curl up its leaves if it is n’t getting enough water .
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