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Ctenanthe

Plant care guide

How to care for Ctenanthe

Ctenanthe setosa 'Grey Star' and Ctenanthe burle-marxii 'Amagris'

Care level: Moderate

Ctenanthes are calathea cousins with elegant silvery leaves and purple undersides, and they're noticeably tougher and less fussy. Grey Star grows upright with soft silver-green leaves, while Amagris stays lower with frosted, almost pale-blue leaves.

Also known as: Ctenanthe, Grey Star Ctenanthe, Ctenanthe setosa, Amagris Ctenanthe, Ctenanthe burle-marxii, Fishbone Prayer Plant, Never Never Plant, Prayer Plant

Just arrived? Your first week at home

  1. Unbox it right away and let the leaves unfold naturally.
  2. Place it in medium to bright indirect light, away from direct sun, heat vents and cold drafts.
  3. Feel the soil: water with room-temperature filtered water only if the top inch is dry.
  4. A curled or yellowing leaf after shipping is normal; trim fully yellow leaves at the base.
  5. Wait about 2 weeks before repotting.
  6. Keep it near other plants or a humidifier to help it settle in.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Medium to bright indirect light works best, such as near an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window. They handle a bit less light than calatheas but keep their silver coloring best in bright, filtered light. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which bleaches and burns the leaves.

Water

Water when the top inch of soil is dry, roughly once a week in warm months and less in winter. Keep the soil lightly moist but never soggy. Filtered or distilled water helps prevent brown tips. Curling leaves mean it's thirsty; yellow leaves and mushy stems mean too much water.

Humidity

Ctenanthes like moderate to high humidity, ideally around 50 percent, but tolerate average home air better than calatheas. A humidifier or grouping plants helps prevent crispy edges in winter.

Temperature

Keep it between about 65 and 80 degrees F. Protect it from cold drafts, chilly windows and blowing vents; it doesn't like temperatures below 60 degrees F.

Soil & repotting

Use a well-draining, moisture-holding mix such as indoor potting soil with perlite and a little coco coir. Pick a pot with drainage and repot every 1 to 2 years in spring, one size up.

Feeding

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

Troubleshooting common problems

  • Crispy brown edgesdry air or tap-water minerals. Use filtered water and increase humidity.
  • Curling leavesthirst or cold. Check the soil and move it away from drafts.
  • Yellow leavesoverwatering. Let the top inch dry before watering again.
  • Faded silver colortoo much direct sun. Move it into filtered light.
  • Spider mitesspeckling and webbing. Rinse the leaves and treat with insecticidal soap.

Tips to help it thrive

  • Grey Star can grow fairly tall and upright, so it works well as a floor plant beside a bright window; Amagris stays compact for tabletops.
  • Divide crowded clumps in spring to make new plants.
  • Like other prayer plants, the leaves lift at night, which is a good sign of a happy plant.

Pet safety

Ctenanthe isn't specifically named in the ASPCA's plant database, and it isn't known to be toxic. As with any houseplant, keep it out of reach of pets that like to chew.

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