Jan

Bamburanta

Ctenanthe lubbersiana, never-never plant

• 
  Needs some love
• 
  Most light conditions

• Jan likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    Jan is quite forgiving if you forget to water her from time to time, but she’ll prefer it if you make sure all of her soil is given good drink when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry.

  • 
    Most light conditions

    Jan will grow best in medium to bright indirect light, but she won’t mind a shadier spot. Avoid direct sunlight as her variegated leaves are prone to sunburn.

  • 
    Humidity

    Like most tropical houseplants, Jan loves humidity. Mist her regularly or put her in the kitchen or the bathroom.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Ctenanthe lubbersiana

  Nickname

  Bamburanta, never-never plant

  Plant type

  Indoor evergreen

  Plant height (including pot)

  70-80cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Yes

  Nursery pot size

  17cm

• About Ctenanthe

  The botanical name might be a bit of a mouthful, but the ctenanthe lubbersiana is the perfect plant to add to your collection. This stunning houseplant is a member of the prayer plant family. Its long, oval leaves are striped with yellow and gold variegation, and with its strong stems it can grow up to 2 metres tall. Originally from Brazil, the ctenanthe enjoys tropical conditions like medium light and high humidity.

  Keep a close eye on your plant’s delicate leaves, they’ll let you know if something isn’t quite right. Brown leaf tips or crispy edges are a sign your plant needs more humidity or hasn’t had enough to drink, so give yours a good spritz every few days and check the soil regularly. If you spot any burn-like marks on your ctenanthe’s leaves, it’s possibly a little bit sunburnt. Trim off any affected leaves and move your plant out of direct sunlight. Keep leaves clean by gently wiping them with a damp cloth. This will help your plant absorb the light it needs to grow.

  Ctenanthe are largely very low maintenance. Their one request is that you distil tap water before giving them a drink. Just fill your watering can and leave it to stand overnight; any impurities will evaporate away and your plant will thank you for it.

  Did you know?

  Like other prayer plants, ctenanthe fold up their leaves at night.