Ctenanthe are stunning tropical plants featuring long oval leaves with unique patterns ranging from lemon yellow striping to dark green teardrops. A member of the Prayer Plant family, these Ctenanthe fold up their leaves throughout the night, a phenomenon called nyctinasty.
Light
Your Ctenanthe will do best in medium to bright indirect light, but will tolerate lower light situations. Do not place this plant in direct sunlight as the leaves will burn.
Water
or best results, water your Ctenanthe when the top 25-50% of soil is dry. This is not a drought-tolerant indoor plant, but it is relatively forgiving if you forget to water it from time to time. Extended periods of dryness can result in brown leaf tips or edges.
Humidity
Like many tropical indoor plants, your Ctenanthe prefers a spot with ample humidity. If leaf edges begin to curl or brown up, mist them with lukewarm water on a regular basis. Your bathroom or kitchen are perfect spots for your Ctenanthe because these areas tend to be more humid.
Temperature
Ctenanthes enjoy the warmth and prefer temperatures between 15-25 degrees. Avoid cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
Food
For best results, use a general houseplant fertilizer with iron every four weeks during the spring and summer. No fertilizer is necessary during winter when plant growth naturally slows.
Toxicity
Ctenanthes are considered to be non-toxic.
Additional Care
If you notice a tip or edge burn often with a yellowish hue at the edge, especially on older leaves, it could be due to your tap water. To solve this, allow your tap water to stand overnight before watering so the chlorine and fluoride can evaporate. Remove any yellow leaves to keep your plant strong and growing. Do not use any shine products on the leaves, instead, clean leaves occasionally with a damp cloth.
