Ctenanthe care guide

Ctenanthe is a prayer plant cousin with patterned leaves that fold up at night. Ctenanthe burle-marxii has gray-green leaves striped with dark green, like a fishbone, and purple undersides. Ctenanthes look a lot like calatheas, but they are tougher. They handle drier air and a missed watering better. They are safe for cats and dogs.

The “c” in ctenanthe is silent. Say “teh-NAN-thee.”

Light

Give it medium to bright indirect light. An east or north window is ideal. A spot a few steps back from a south or west window works too.

Direct sun fades the pattern and burns the leaves. In low light, it grows slow and the stripes look dull.

Water

Water when the top 2 cm (1 in) of soil is dry. Water until it drains, then empty the saucer. In winter, it needs water less often.

It does not like to dry out all the way. Curled leaves are the first sign of thirst. Tap water minerals can brown the tips. If that happens, use rainwater, filtered, or distilled water. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use a houseplant mix with some perlite and orchid bark. It holds moisture but lets air reach the roots.

Repot every year or two in spring, one size up. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

It does best at 40% humidity or higher. It copes with dry winter air better than a calathea, but leaf edges still brown in the driest rooms. A humidifier helps. Keep it away from heat vents.

Keep it between 18 and 27°C (65 and 80°F), and above 15°C (60°F). Cold drafts curl and spot the leaves.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in fall and winter.

Pruning

Cut old, yellow, or damaged leaves off at the base of the stem. Trim brown edges with clean scissors, following the leaf shape.

Propagation

Divide it in spring. Ease the plant out of its pot and pull or cut the clump into pieces. Each piece needs several leaves and good roots. Pot each one up and keep it warm and humid while it settles.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Leaves curl in during the day	Thirst, dry air, or cold
Brown, crispy edges	Dry air, tap water minerals, or dry soil
Faded pattern, scorched patches	Too much direct sun
Yellow leaves and soggy soil	Too much water
Leaves stay folded up all day	Too little light, or it needs water
Fine webbing and speckled leaves	Spider mites

Pests

Spider mites are the most common pest, most of all in dry winter air. Check under the leaves every week. Rinse the leaves in the shower to knock mites off. Watch for mealybugs at the leaf joints.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists the never never plant, Ctenanthe oppenheimiana, as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Other ctenanthes are treated the same way.

Varieties

• Ctenanthe burle-marxii has gray-green leaves with dark green fishbone stripes. It stays under 45 cm (18 in).
• Ctenanthe burle-marxii ‘Amagris’ has silver leaves with thin green edges.
• Ctenanthe oppenheimiana ‘Tricolor’ has long leaves splashed with cream and pink. This is the classic never never plant.
• Ctenanthe lubbersiana, bamboo ginger, has bright green leaves with yellow streaks. It grows tall and upright.
• Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’ has silvery leaves with dark green veins and purple undersides.