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
![](https://apps.rhs.org.uk/plantselectorimages/detail/WSY0037699_8950.jpg)
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
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
H1BBotanical details
- Family
- Marantaceae
- Native to the UK
- 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 spring or summer. See houseplant cultivation for further information
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
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