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Ctenanthe oppenheimiana is often confused with:
Ctenanthe amabilis
Ctenanthe lubbersiana Form
Goeppertia insignis
Goeppertia makoyana Calathea makoyana
Goeppertia zebrina
Maranta leuconeura Maranta leuconeura
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Cryptanthus zonatus Plant
Neoregelia Leaves, flowers
Crassula ovata Flowers

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
tee-NANTH-ee o-pen-hiem-ee-AY-na
Description

A colorful tropical houseplant with showy leaves.  Plant in a window with indirect light or light shade.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaf pattern is distinct, light green on dark green
  • Stems are unbranched; petiole length lends height
  • Leaf underside is purple-red
  • Light stripes are even, forked toward the mid-vein

Evergreen indoor shrub to 15", broad spreading.

Desired for bushy, leathery foliage; all height is due to petiole length, no branching. 

Difficult to grow. Intolerant of direct sunlight; intolerant of temperatures less than 60 degrees F; intolerant of cold drafts; intolerant of cold or hard water; intolerant of constantly dry air; intolerant of fertilization directly after repotting; prefers medium light, high humidity, and moist medium.

Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tricolor'
    Red, white and green leaves, blotched cream in addition to normal patterning (almost looks like sun damage).
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#container plant#interiorscape#fantz
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Tricolor'
    Red, white and green leaves, blotched cream in addition to normal patterning (almost looks like sun damage).
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#container plant#interiorscape#fantz
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Ctenanthe
    Species:
    oppenheimiana
    Family:
    Marantaceae
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    3 feet-6 feet
    Usda Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10b, 11a, 11b, 12b, 12a
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Flower Description:
    (usually not seen in cultivation) white to yellow.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cuneate
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    In basal rosette, simple, lanceolate, acute, cuneate, entire, green with silver white markings in direction of veins above, purple-red beneath, coriaceous.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Rhizomatous
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants