The Never Never Plant 'Grey Star'

The handsome foliage has a metallic silver sheen that makes it a stand out. The green patterns are the icing on the cake. The reverse is a deep burgundy contrast.

Very similar to the Peacock Plants, or Calathea in both appearance and growing conditions. The oval leaves grow to about 30cm on narrow, stems. They clump together forming a handsome thicket of foliage.

Ctenathe can be grown outdoors in a protected spot in sub and tropical climates.

Size (HxW): 30-100cm x 40-80cm

See the light: They grow best in a bright, indirect light – if you need a light to read by during the day in their position, it is too dark. If it is too bright, their leaves tend to curl and may scorch. Eight to ten hours a day of artificial light is welcomed.

Water needs: Average. Water well in spring/summer and only weekly to every other week in winter – they don’t like to be cold and wet. Ctenathe will grow best with some humidity. If you live in a cold climate, your heating in winter might dry the plant out (leaf tips will turn brown or just drop off). You can provide some humidity for your beloved plant, by placing them over a plate with rocks and water, this will naturally form humidity around it. Or if you want to get very fancy and grow a few of these tropical treats, a humidifier is a good investment – they are also good for you. Another option is to grow them in a terrarium.

I will Survive: Add a diluted liquid fertiliser every other watering over spring/summer, just follow the directions on the pack. Give the leaves a spruce up with a cloth if they become dusty. Snip out any spent or damaged leaves to keep your plant happy and healthy. You can just trim the damaged part too, then remove the leaf as the foliage bulks up. Gently clean the leaves with a soft cloth or tissue to keep them free of dust – this will keep them looking good and happy and healthy. Repot every couple of years to renew vigour in the plant.