How to care for Ctenanthe burle-marxii

Ctenanthe burle-marxii · Never-never plant

Ctenanthe (Ctenanthe burle-marxii) — a tender evergreen perennial from Brazil, about 60 cm tall, with oblong pale green leaves marked with dark green bands in a fishbone pattern and purple beneath; small white flowers appear now and then. Ctenanthe needs partial shade and 16–21 °C. Water it about every 5 days while it grows and about every 9 days in the winter rest.

Updated: November 4, 2026

Watering and repotting ctenanthe through the year

It lives indoors all year, so it has no sowing or planting dates: it grows from March to September and rests from October to February (the other way round in the southern hemisphere).

Repot it about every 12 months.

When to plant ctenanthe?

Plant or repot ctenanthe in spring, as it starts into growth; early to midsummer also works. It is a houseplant, so it has no outdoor planting date and no frost decides it: just avoid autumn and winter, when growth slows and fresh compost stays wet too long. After that, move it to a slightly larger pot about every year, or sooner once roots circle the pot or grow through the drainage holes.

Watering in the growing and resting halves of the year: Watering and repotting ctenanthe through the year.

Sources: RHS: How to repot a plant · Penn State Extension: Repotting houseplants

Quick facts

Type	Houseplant
Latin name	Ctenanthe burle-marxii
Family	Marantaceae
Also called	Never-never plant
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Repotting	every 12 months
Grown in	At home

Ctenanthe care by growth stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 5 days	16…21 °C	balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 44 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 74 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 104 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 134 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 164 days into the stage
Winter rest	every 9 days	—	—

Growing notes

Light

Bright indirect light, out of direct sun; partial shade by an east or west window suits it.

Soil

Peat-free, loam-based potting compost that stays moist but drains well.

Care

Water freely and keep the compost moist, also in winter, but never soggy; too wet a compost in winter causes water-soaked patches on the leaves. Keep it draught-free at a steady 16–21 °C and give it high humidity, for example on a tray of moist gravel; brown leaf tips mean dry air. Use rainwater or tap water left to stand for 24 hours. Feed monthly from spring to summer with a general liquid fertiliser. Repot every year in late spring or early summer. To propagate, divide the clump in spring into sections with several leaves and keep them warm, humid and moist. Watch for mealybugs, red spider mites and fungus gnats.

Pests and diseases of Ctenanthe

2 problems are recorded for ctenanthe; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Pests

Other plants of the Marantaceae family

Ctenanthe belongs to Marantaceae; 3 other plants of this family have a guide here.

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Houseplants · Thirsty houseplants · Houseplants to repot every year

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.