Ctenanthe burle-marxii

Common Names

Fishbone Prayer Plant, Never Never Plant, Prayer Plant, Calathea Burle Marx, Calathea Burle Marxii

Summary

Fishbone Prayer Plant is an evergreen tropical perennial native to Brazil, with elongated oval leaves that show pale green surfaces with dark green fishbone markings and purple undersides, leaves fold at night and reopen by day forming fanlike clusters reaching about 60 cm tall by 35 cm wide, care emphasizes bright indirect light avoiding direct sun, soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged, watering when the top 0.5 to 2 inches dry, warm temperatures around 18 to 25°C with high humidity, repot every 2 to 3 years, propagate by division, fertilize lightly every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season, commonly used as indoor decorative plant in offices, terrariums, green walls, and group plantings, non-toxic

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-24 inches

Spread

12-24 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-13

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade.

Soil Type

Well-draining, moisture-retentive soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-draining soil that stays moist but not waterlogged.

Soil pH

Tolerates all pH levels

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

All year

Foliage Color

Grey-green leaves with dark green markings and purple to burgundy undersides.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

Slow-growing; may take two seasons to reach full height.

Seasons of Interest

Spring and Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division