The silvery-blue variegation on Ctenanthe setosa quickly catches your eye, and it is accompanied by rosy-hued stems and purplish leaf undersides. Because of the way that their leaves fold upward at night, Ctenanthe and its relatives Calatheas and Marantas are sometimes known as “Prayer Plants.” Give Ctenanthe setosa plenty of humidity, and it will reward you with an abundance of patterned leaf. It has an upright growth habit and grows slightly higher than many other members of the genus.
PLANT CARE
- Medium to strong indirect lighting When the top 1-2″ of the soil feels dry, water. Considerations: Ctenanthe setosa benefits from additional humidity; spray it occasionally or place it on a pebble tray. Accepts pets! For in-depth information, see our Care Guide for Prayer Plants.
WHAT TO EXPECT
In a 6″ nursery pot, you’ll receive a healthy Ctenanthe setosa that satisfies our exacting standards for quality. Since each plant is different from the others in terms of personality, size, and shape, you should anticipate this natural difference from the images.
Our houseplant best practices handbook, which contains information on how to repot, seasonal care, and more, is included with our plants and includes extensive care instructions. Visit our blog to learn more about prayer plants.
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Is the prayer plant the same as the cathea?
All Calatheas, also referred to as “prayer plants,” belong to the Maranta genus, which they are closely related to. If you’re unfamiliar with prayer plants and the humidity-loving Calatheas, we’ll go over their history and maintenance requirements.
Are Ctenanthe and Calathea the same thing?
In your garden, do you have any Never Never Plants? If you reside in a warm region, you very well may have done so without even realizing it. These hardy plants are frequently relegated to the interiors of offices or the furthest corners of shaded landscapes. They don’t frequently appear in gardening books or articles, thus their prevalence is evidence of their toughness. These can be the right plants for you if you have some shady areas and are searching for some lush, resilient plants that require little upkeep.
The genus Ctenanthe includes several plants. They are herbaceous shade-loving plants related to Calathea, Maranta, and Stromanthe, all of which are well-known shade-loving foliage plants. They are a member of the Marantaceae family, also referred to as the “prayer plant” family because several species fold their leaves upward at night as if in prayer. However, as a whole, members of this genus appear to be more robust than members of closely related genera, withstanding periods of aridity and low humidity. Some plants grow fairly tall, and the leaves are dense. They are highly well-liked as indoor plants because of these qualities, but they are also hardy understorey plants in the tropics and subtropics. South-east Brazil is home to the majority of species.
My garden contains a lot of Ctenanthes. They are definitely favorites of mine due to their durability and ease of upkeep. I have a small amount of rainwater for the garden because I rely on natural rains. Even though the recent rainfall has been irregular, these plants have done nicely. The plants have a special method of water conservation if they are allowed to dry up for a while. Simply rolling in on themselves, the leaves lessen transpiration. As any gardener will know, gum trees (Eucalyptus species) may be a tremendous challenge when trying to establish a garden, but I have them thriving under them.
The genus has about 15 species, many of which are widely cultivated and easily accessible from nurseries. However, don’t expect them to be labeled accurately, if at all. I’d suggest them all to serious gardeners. I cultivate seven of these species as well as many of the well-known varieties.
This plant typically spreads laterally rather than growing upright and, as a result, tends to be lower than many other species. It has typical elongated leaves in soft greyish green and grey. In especially in damp regions, branches will root at the notes and plants also suckers from the base, so they can spread over time. It does look exotic. Despite being equally at home in the subtropics, it is more frequently seen in tropical regions. Compared to many other species in the genus, it appears to want a little bit more moisture.
One of my all-time favorite foliage plants is this one. It is an amazing plant with dramatic colored foliage that grows slowly. This plant is most likely the smallest in its genus. The plant was found by Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle-Marx and has been grown for about 50 years, although it wasn’t officially documented until the mid-1990s. The normal species has somewhat large, rectangular, silver-grey leaves with a herringbone-patterned deep green underside. It is the perfect plant for a minimal care garden because it is a superb groundcover plant for the shade and always looks perfect. Additionally, it has rather flat ground growth.
Similar to the above, Ctenanthe burle-marxii var. obscura has mid-green leaves with deep-green markings, making it a more subdued variation of the above. It has the same habits and requirements.
A plant patent has been issued for Ctenanthe burle-marxii “Amagris,” an accidental mutation that happened in a tissue culture lab in Belgium. The silver grey color of the grey leaves predominates because to their extremely tiny light green veining. Another dwarf mutation of this plant exists, albeit it doesn’t seem to have a name as yet.
Many gardeners are familiar with the “Bamburanta Plant,” which appears to have been widely accessible since at least the 1960s. It has broad mid-green leaves, unlike the other species mentioned. This plant is quite resilient. “Hanger on.” It can handle quite dry, shady conditions and will live for a very long time after the gardener has gone. Although unattractive, it offers a consistent, lush green backdrop. It’s a shame that the plant is no longer easily accessible commercially. Look for some “slips” in your fellow gardeners’ yards.
For nearly 50 years, this plant has been sold commercially in its variegated varieties. As a lush green backdrop in shaded locations, the simple green form is appealing to me. It occasionally appears as a reversion from the widely grown variegated plants, while not being commercially accessible. From a branching stem that is between 1.2 and 1.5 meters high, shiny green rectangular leaves sprout. The effects of established plants are “layered.”
There are often two variegated cultivars available. The leaves of Ctenanthe lubbersiana ‘Golden mosaic’ have creamy golden splashes and blocks covering them, providing highlights where there are shadows. The leaves of Ctenanthe lubbersiana ‘Variegata’ have a finer venation pattern in golden hues. It is refined and understated.
This plant was a “cult” inside plant in the 1960s and 1970s, but finding it today can be challenging. The leaves of this plant have grey and grey-green stripes, just like those of closely related species.
The well-liked cultivar Ctenanthe oppenheimiana “Tricolor,” which has irregular white and pink splotches on its variegated leaves, is probably more well-known. It gives a shadowed corner some color.
Another hardy plant that can be found in many older, tropical gardens. The leaves, which can reach a height of one meter, are striped with green and grey and have a stunning purplish underside. The ‘bristly or hairy’ leaf stalks (petioles) and the new growth are what give the species its name, setosa. This characteristic makes it simple to recognize the plant.
One of the more robust Ctenanthes is this one. Provide the plant with some space so it can grow to its full potential after a good wet season.
The solid grey leafed Ctenanthe setosa ‘Grey Star’ is more frequently found in nurseries. It can offer visual interest by having green leaves in contrast to a shady area.
I also cultivate a different unnamed kind. It is enormous and has a metallic top surface that is greyish-green with purple undersides. It grows in older gardens in northern New South Wales and is another hardy plant. It would be wonderful to give this plant a name because I adore it so much. It has undoubtedly been present in the nation for a long time. The growth and bloom structure distinctly distinguish it as belonging to this genus.
Ctenanthes is frequently utilized in both private gardens that are regularly exposed to the public and numerous botanic gardens. Many of these plants are planted to good effect in the gardens of Rod Paterson in Rochedale, Brisbane, Dennis Hundscheidt in Sunnybank, Brisbane, and Cheryl Boyd in Stringybark Cottage on the Sunshine Coast.
Ctenanthes ought to be grown and valued more broadly. Even though they are ‘Never Never’ plants and real survivors, they are gorgeous, lush, and vivacious when given access to organically rich, well-mulched soils, supplemental fertilizer, and periodic watering during dry spells. We need more of these plants in our gardens even though they aren’t particularly “in your face.”
Botanical Classification: Ctenanthe Lubbersiana
This tropical, multicolored beauty is a part of the prayer plant family and is native to southern Brazil. This plant has very unusual-looking large oval leaves that are unevenly striped with bands of green and yellow. The never never plant, which can grow up to 3′ tall, is a focal point in any space!
Warm temperatures and bright to medium indirect light are favorites of Ctenanthe. Because of the delicate thin leaves, this plant needs regular watering and high humidity levels to thrive. Keep it away from direct sunlight because that will cause the leaves to burn. For sure evidence that your plant needs extra humidity, such as brown margins on older leaves and crispy tips on unfurling leaves, mist away or add a humidifier or pebble tray.
The prayer plant Ctenanthe exhibits nyctinasty, or folding of the leaves at night, like many other members of the family.
The Calathea is known as a prayer plant, but why?
A good houseplant is the prayer plant because it’s simple to cultivate, has interesting foliage, and can withstand indoor conditions. A low, spreading plant known as a “prayer plant” that may grow horizontally down a tabletop or other surface and is frequently planted in hanging baskets. Because it grows slowly, you don’t have to worry about the prayer plant spreading beyond its designated area.
The leaves of this tough indoor plant frequently fold together at night, resembling a pair of praying hands, giving rise to its common name. The foliage of most varieties of prayer plants is variegated, which heightens the plant’s visual appeal. Although prayer plant does produce blooms, they are not abundant or particularly attractive. For its leaves, this is a nice houseplant to grow.
Prayer Plant Growing Instructions
Grow the prayer plant in dim, moderate, or strong lighting. In high light, it’s ideal to use a sheer drape or other screen to shield the leaves from direct sunlight.
Just before the soil surface dries, water the prayer plant. This resilient houseplant like to remain largely damp (but not sopping wet all the time). If it dries out too much or too frequently, its leaves may begin to turn brown.
Only once or twice a year, ideally in the spring or summer, is sufficient to maintain the health of a prayer plant. If you’d like, you can fertilize it more frequently. Use any fertilizer designed for indoor plants and adhere to the instructions on the container.
Although prayer plant normally thrives in most houses, it prefers higher-than-average humidity levels. Increasing the humidity around your prayer plant will make it happier if the air in your home is very dry in the winter.
Include these types with your prayer plant:
The combination of banana and the prayer plant results in a stunningly striking, tropical appearance.
Forest Drum Use the prayer plant’s stunning contrast to the intriguing corrugated foliage of the jungle drum.
Purple Excellence The prayer plant’s variegated patterns look magnificent next to the deep purple of Purple Perfection.
Calathea is a prayer plant because…
The Marantaceae family of plants includes several different kinds of plants, including Marantas, Calathea, Stromanthe, and Ctenanthe.
Since they appear to be praying, they are known as prayer plants. They spread their leaves out to capture the light during the day then fold them back up at night, giving the impression that they are praying.
Don’t get alarmed if you don’t observe your plant praying; the extent to which some plants pray varies. Your plant may be moving more than you realize if you take a time lapse video.
Why never ever is Ctenanthe planted?
Unfortunately, Ctenanthe, like its relative Calathea, is not really a choice for the simple method of stem propagation due to its growth pattern. Simply said, it lacks stems since the leaves grow out of the roots.
Fortunately, you can still increase your plant if you’d like to, as was already indicated. The solution is to divide. Even though doing this typically entails pulling the plant out, it’s extremely simple:
- Excess soil should be gently shaken from the roots of your Ctenanthe when you remove it from the planter.
- Different plant clusters may now begin to separate on their own. You can also divide clusters manually by pulling or cutting them vertically.
- Offshoots typically contain roots, so they can be easily potted up and will continue to grow normally. It is possible to root offshoots in water without a root system.