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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

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
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
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

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