Advice on my new Ctenanthe Amagris?
#HappyPlants #PlantsMakePeopleHappy #PlantAddict #RescuePlants #CalatheaCrew #CtenantheAmagris so part of one of my fb bargains was this random dude I named Mercury thrown in “for free” that the person said was a Freddie. It’s not 😅 it’s a throwback shoot from an Amagris 🤦♀️ and relatively common apparently after some googling. I’m still pretty new to these kinds of plants so advice is much appreciated 😊 pic is of the New Boi who didn’t have his trimmed out and actually has 3 of them!
2ft to light, indirect
5” pot without drainage
Last watered 3 years ago
8
@wolfqueen I have RO water for my carnivores 😊 that’s what these guys get too so far. Since I bought a filter I just use the RO water for all the rescues really. And for leaching pots 😊 I figure it will pull more out if there’s nothing in the water to begin with and that’s generally done about once every 6 months. New guys get done when they come home and then again with everyone else whenever that is and 6 monthly after that unless they’re unwell and then everyone gets a healthy dose of fertiliser with the next water. I have to make 4 different concentrations here to keep everyone happy 😅
@wolfqueen thanks so much for your advice!! I hadn’t read anywhere yet about distilled water and kinda glad I just used it because it’s what’s in my watering can 😅
How do you keep your plants alive with no drainage??? If mine don't have at least 5 holed at the bottom then it'd f$%£Ed. Lol I water mine with rain water on occasion but other than that I use the water from the garden hose. Yup, the good stuff . Lol during summer I mist them a lot but I also keep them all outside so the constant fresh air dries them out faster even though we have high humidity levels all the damn time
@KrunchyWrapz they have drainage 😅 tiny measuring cup 🤷🏻♀️ they get about 100ml daily and the tiny bit that drains evaporates over the day for humidity. Their planters are usually dry when I lift the pots by morning if I water at night and they’re all clumped together they give each other humidity
@PoisonIvys love 💕 your Never Never Plant.
Grow your never never plant in well draining soil, provide bright, indirect light and keep a soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain high humidity, keep temperatures between 55-85f and fertilize monthly during a growing season with half strength fertilizer.
Grows it's best and fastest with full sun exposure, but it can do well in partial shade.
Because Ctenanthe is naturally part of the forest undergrowth, it isn’t used to overly bright light. This isn’t a plant to keep in the dark—it needs a spot where it gets plenty of indirect light—but direct sun can be too harsh for it, especially without proper acclimation.
When it comes to temperature, you shouldn’t run into any issues in a normal house. Ctenanthes like things nice and toasty, preferring room temperature or above. If you feel comfortable in your home, then your plant is likely fine as well. Avoid letting temperatures drop below 55°F to prevent issues like leaf loss.
Water and humidity
This bit is where things go south with Ctenanthe for many houseplant enthusiasts. The species loves plenty of moisture, which isn’t surprising from a plant that hails from often soaking wet habitats like the Atlantic rainforest. However, it’s also easy to overdo it, with waterlogged soil leading to root rot and the beautiful foliage dying off.
The soil should be lightly moist (a bit more during the summer growing months than during winter), but by no means wet. Water again once the first inch or so has dried. Don’t wait too long; a Ctenanthe will show its thirst by dramatically curling its leaves. Your plant will perk back up after a good soak, but usually not without permanently losing a leaf or two.
As for air humidity, this is another very important factor that tends to cause trouble. Our homes can be very dry, especially in winter, which a tropical plant like this doesn’t appreciate at all. The humidity level should ideally be 60 percent or up for a Ctenanthe, meaning you may have to run a humidifier to keep these guys happy. Dry air makes them particularly vulnerable to spider mites, which love their papery foliage.
Ctenanthe loves some moisture in its soil, but is also vulnerable to root rot as a result of waterlogging. This means that the ideal soil mixture for your never never plant should include both a water-retaining element (like coco coir, peat, or sphagnum moss) and an element that promotes drainage (like perlite, orchid bark, or pumice).
You can mix a handful of one of each of these soil additives to a normal houseplant potting soil. Always use a planter with a drainage hole in the bottom for your Ctenanthes, and avoid terracotta unless you’re very prone to overwatering. This material is porous and allows water to evaporate through its walls, meaning it can dry out too quickly.
Grow your never never plant in well draining soil, provide bright, indirect light and keep a soil moist but not waterlogged. Maintain high humidity, keep temperatures between 55-85f and fertilize monthly during a growing season with half strength fertilizer.
Grows it's best and fastest with full sun exposure, but it can do well in partial shade.
Because Ctenanthe is naturally part of the forest undergrowth, it isn’t used to overly bright light. This isn’t a plant to keep in the dark—it needs a spot where it gets plenty of indirect light—but direct sun can be too harsh for it, especially without proper acclimation.
When it comes to temperature, you shouldn’t run into any issues in a normal house. Ctenanthes like things nice and toasty, preferring room temperature or above. If you feel comfortable in your home, then your plant is likely fine as well. Avoid letting temperatures drop below 55°F to prevent issues like leaf loss.
Water and humidity
This bit is where things go south with Ctenanthe for many houseplant enthusiasts. The species loves plenty of moisture, which isn’t surprising from a plant that hails from often soaking wet habitats like the Atlantic rainforest. However, it’s also easy to overdo it, with waterlogged soil leading to root rot and the beautiful foliage dying off.
The soil should be lightly moist (a bit more during the summer growing months than during winter), but by no means wet. Water again once the first inch or so has dried. Don’t wait too long; a Ctenanthe will show its thirst by dramatically curling its leaves. Your plant will perk back up after a good soak, but usually not without permanently losing a leaf or two.
As for air humidity, this is another very important factor that tends to cause trouble. Our homes can be very dry, especially in winter, which a tropical plant like this doesn’t appreciate at all. The humidity level should ideally be 60 percent or up for a Ctenanthe, meaning you may have to run a humidifier to keep these guys happy. Dry air makes them particularly vulnerable to spider mites, which love their papery foliage.
Ctenanthe loves some moisture in its soil, but is also vulnerable to root rot as a result of waterlogging. This means that the ideal soil mixture for your never never plant should include both a water-retaining element (like coco coir, peat, or sphagnum moss) and an element that promotes drainage (like perlite, orchid bark, or pumice).
You can mix a handful of one of each of these soil additives to a normal houseplant potting soil. Always use a planter with a drainage hole in the bottom for your Ctenanthes, and avoid terracotta unless you’re very prone to overwatering. This material is porous and allows water to evaporate through its walls, meaning it can dry out too quickly.
