Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) Ctenanthe burle-marxii
Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) (Ctenanthe burle-marxii) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Marantaceae family, native to Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo). It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 14 °C (57 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
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Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Marantaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 1 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 14 °C (57 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 104–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Atlantic forest of eastern Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇳🇱 Netherlands |
Is Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists the prayer-plant family as non-toxic).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
Questions about Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe)
- How far apart should I plant Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe)?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 1 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe)?
- It tolerates about 14 °C (57 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) flower?
- About 104–209 weeks after planting, for 3–6 weeks.
- Is Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous to cats or dogs (ASPCA lists the prayer-plant family as non-toxic).
- What grows well with Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Fishbone prayer plant (Burle Marx ctenanthe). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- A tropical plant: outdoors only in frost-free, humid climates; elsewhere a houseplant for bright, indirect light that likes warmth and humidity and hates cold draughts.
- Low clumps of oblong, pale grey-green leaves marked with dark green herringbone stripes and purple beneath. Named after the Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, who collected it.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Peacock plant Goeppertia makoyana
- Arrowroot (West Indian arrowroot) Maranta arundinacea
- Round-leaf calathea Goeppertia orbifolia
- Triostar stromanthe Stromanthe thalia
- Prayer plant (herringbone plant) Maranta leuconeura
- Rattlesnake plant Goeppertia insignis
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula