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Conservatory GreenhouseHouseplants

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana 'Tricolor'

never-never plant

Vigorous, bushy evergreen perennial about 1m tall, with lance-shaped, leathery leaves with irregular creamy-white and pale and dark green markings, wine-red beneath. Produces spikes of white flowers randomly through the year

Synonyms
Ctenanthe oppenheimiana var. tricolor
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Cream Green Red
Summer White Cream Green Red
Autumn White Cream Green Red
Winter White Cream Green Red
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H1B
Botanical details
Family
Marantaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Ctenanthe are bushy evergreen perennials grown for their usually strikingly patterned, lance-shape to obovate leaves; irregular and usually inconspicuous tubular white or yellow flowers are borne in short racemes intermittently throughout the year

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost (JI No.2) in bright, indirect light. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser monthly from spring to summer. Provide high humidity by placing the container on a tray of moist gravel. Water to keep compost moist in winter, and keep draught-free at a constant temperature. Repot annually in late spring or early summer. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 19 to 24°C in spring as soon as ripe, or by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.