Plant Profile: Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Names

Bamburanta, Ctenanthe, Never-Never Plant

  • Photo of Ctenanthe lubbersiana (Ctenanthe lubbersianas)

Phonetic Spelling:tee-NANTH-ee lub-er-see-AH-nuh

Genus:Ctenanthe

Species:lubbersiana

Family:Marantaceae

Bamburanta is a tropical, evergreen perennial characterized by its branching, bamboo-like stems and elongated green leaves, which feature cream and gold mottling. This plant is commonly cultivated as a houseplant, capable of growing up to 3 feet in height and spreading 4 feet wide.

For optimal growth, plant it in well-draining, humus-rich soil and maintain moisture throughout the growing season. It thrives in high humidity and requires bright, indirect sunlight. Be cautious of drafts and ensure temperatures do not drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. In spring, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer and divide the plant as necessary.

Quick Identification Tips:
Be on the lookout for pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Feature Summary

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Image Gallery

Tags

#evergreen
#houseplant
#shrub
#showy leaves
#colorful leaves
#interiorscape
#fantz
#humidity tolerant
#partial shade tolerant
#tropical feel
#container plants

Similar Plants

Ctenanthe lubbersiana is often confused with:

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Feature Summary

Flowers
Small white to yellow flowers are insignificant and not usually seen in house plants.
White
Gold/Yellow
Insignificant
Cyme
Leaves
Large colorful stunning leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate, acute, cuneate, and entire. They are deep green and indistinctly marked with cream or yellow marbling above and pale green beneath
Green
Gold/Yellow
Variegated
Cream/Tan
Lanceolate
Cuneate
> 6 inches
3-6 inches
Stem
Branched aerial shoots and rhizomatous.
Whole Plant Traits
Cultural Conditions
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
3 feet-6 feet
12 inches-3 feet
High Organic Matter
Landscape

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Attributes

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Country Or Region Of Origin

Brazil

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Life Cycle

Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Recommended Propagation Strategy

Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Flowers

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Flower Description

Small white to yellow flowers are insignificant and not usually seen in house plants.

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Gold/Yellow
filter_vintage
White

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Flower Inflorescence

Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Flower Shape

Bell
Cross
Crown
Cup
Dome
Funnel
Irregular
Lipped
Radial
Saucer
Star
Trumpet
Tubular
Urn
Wheel

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Leaves

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Description

Large colorful stunning leaves are alternate, simple, lanceolate, acute, cuneate, and entire. They are deep green and indistinctly marked with cream or yellow marbling above and pale green beneath

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Color

spa
Cream/Tan
spa
Gold/Yellow
spa
Green
spa
Variegated

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Shape

Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Margin

Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Length

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Feel

Fleshy
Glossy
Leathery
Papery
Prickly
Rough
Rubbery
Slippery
Smooth
Soft
Velvety
Waxy

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Value To Gardener

Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Leaf Width

< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Stem

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Stem Description

Branched aerial shoots and rhizomatous.

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Whole Plant Traits

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics

Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Habit/Form

Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Growth Rate

Slow
Medium
Rapid

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Maintenance

Low
Medium
High

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Cultural Conditions

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Light

Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Soil pH

Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Soil Drainage

Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Available Space To Plant

12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

thermostat
11a
thermostat
11b
thermostat
12a
thermostat
12b

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Soil Texture

Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky

Ctenanthe lubbersiana Landscape

Ctenanthe lubbersiana: Landscape Location

Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland