About
Ctenanthe setosa is a robust, tender evergreen perennial that typically reaches a height of around 2 meters. Its elongated, lance-shaped leaves are a rich green and can grow up to 18 centimeters in length, often featuring tips that curve downwards. Some leaves may exhibit white margins or stripes. This species produces subtle pale yellow flowers throughout the year, though they are not particularly prominent.
About the genus
Ctenanthe are dense, evergreen perennials valued for their often intricately patterned, lanceolate to obovate foliage. They produce irregular, typically subtle tubular flowers in white or yellow, which appear in brief racemes at various times throughout the year.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1B
Plant details
- Plant type
- Conservatory Greenhouse, Houseplants
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- Houseplants, Sub-tropical
Care notes
- 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
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown at 19 to 24°C in spring as soon as ripe, or by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free