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Never Never Plant in the GardenTags plant encyclopedia

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

 

Never Never Plant

Ctenanthe are grown for their attractive, often variegated foliage. They are frost tender plants, requiring a minimum temperature of 13°C. The three species which make good houseplants are C. lubbersiana, C. oppenheimiana, and C. burle-marxii. Ctenanthe is not an easy care plant and can be quite frustrating for a novice grower. These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. C. oppenheimiana also called the ‘Never Never Plant, grows as tall as 3ft., produces lance shaped leaves that are dark green with silver bands, and has foliage with maroon undersides. The Tricolor variety of C.oppenheimiana is even more colourful.

Contributed by @simplygarden

 
plant Features
  • Never Never Plant likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Never Never Plant likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

  • Never Never Plant is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Never Never Plant likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

 
plant information

Common name

Never Never Plant

Latin name

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

type

evergreen perennial

family

Marantaceae

ph

5.0 - 7.0 Acid - Neutral

  • Light

    Never Never Plant likes partial shade

    Partial shade

  • Frost

    Never Never Plant is not frost hardy

    Not Frost hardy

  • Soil

    Never Never Plant likes moist and free draining

    Moist and free draining

  • Water

    Never Never Plant likes occasional watering

    Occasional watering

Plant & bloom calendar

  •  
    Best time to plant

full grown dimensions

The size of a fully grown Never Never Plant is 0.60meters x 0.90meters 0.60 M 0.90 M

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

Ctenanthe are grown for their attractive, often variegated foliage. They are frost tender plants, requiring a minimum temperature of 13°C. The three species which make good houseplants are C. lubbersiana, C. oppenheimiana, and C. burle-marxii. Ctenanthe is not an easy care plant and can be quite frustrating for a novice grower. These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. C. oppenheimiana also called the ‘Never Never Plant, grows as tall as 3ft., produces lance shaped leaves that are dark green with silver bands, and has foliage with maroon undersides. The Tricolor variety of C.oppenheimiana is even more colourful.


Planting as a houseplant

From Early Spring TO Early Spring

Use a good all purpose potting mix that drains well but still retains moisture. Place in 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. They like warm consistent temperatures and will not tolerate temperatures below 13C. It is very important for these plants to keep the humidity high. To achieve this, place your Ctenanthe on a pebble tray filled with water. Be sure the plant is sitting on the pebbles and not in the water.

 

Propagation

From Early Spring TO Late Summer

Ctenanthe are easily propagated using the offsets that develop into bushy clumps. When planting offsets, it is important to use the same type of soil as was in the original plant. Stem cuttings may also be used. Keep the new plants warm and the soil moist until established.

 
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