Ctenanthe, native to tropical Brazil, is a member of the Marantaceae family and is related to the calathea and prayer plant. These evergreen perennials are grown primarily for the beauty of their colorful leaves.Green and yellow patterned elliptical leaves with pale green undersides, make the Ctenanthe lubbersiana a wonderful addition to your living room. A Ctenanthe is not an easy care plant and can be quite frustrating for a novice plant grower.
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. Ctenanthes do not like to dry out, and do not like cold or hard water. Use filtered or rain water that is at least at room temperature if not a bit tepid.
Ctenanthes like bright indirect light. If there is insufficient light, new leaves appear solid green rather than patterned with attractive colors. If there is too much light, the colors in the leaves fade.
Fertilize monthly in the spring and summer diluting the plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Fertilize every other month in the fall and winter.Never feed a Ctenanthe immediately after repotting, wait at least 6 weeks.
It prefers normal temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit â 80 degrees Fahrenheit, avoid temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius / 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures can damage the leaves of this plant.
