Ctenanthe 'Compactstar'PBR
ctenanthe 'Compactstar'
A tender, evergreen perennial to about 40-50cm tall, with softly hairy purple-tinged green stems bearing oblong to ovate pale silvery-green leaves, marked with a dark grey-green herringbone pattern, and purple beneath. White flower spikes may be borne intermittently throughout the year
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White | Grey Silver | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White | Grey Silver | ||
Autumn | White | Grey Silver | ||
Winter | White | Grey Silver |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1BBotanical 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
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