Ctenanthe lubbersiana

Ctenanthe lubbersiana

This is a perennial foliage plant (ht 1 m) from the Marantaceae family and hails from Brazil. Ctenanthe is sometimes called bamburanta. I have it in shaded parts of my own garden, where it looks attractive at all times and asks very little of me, except to occasionally pull up bits that have wandered a little too far. It can get rather entrenched after a while. I cut ragged leaves off at the base from time to time. It has yellow-green bands on the foliage, and can be partnered with yellow-flowered shade-tolerant plants, such as creamy yellow Clivia or the yellow-green shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeeana).

Ctenanthe lubbersiana as a groundcover under tree in Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

Ctenanthe lubbersiana as a groundcover under tree in Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney

I have seen it used in the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney, as a groundcover under a tree, combined with other forms of Ctenanthe, Maranta and Calathea and the effect was fabulous. I also have one that has plain lush green foliage to a bit over 1 m in height, perfect for filling a dry corner under trees or masking unappealing fences. Although these plants reputedly need moisture, I find mine cope well in dry shade. to propagate, simply dig up some of the rhizomes and pot them up.

Postscript: I have since found this plant to be an absolute rampageous thug and extremely difficult to get rid of. I now would never recommend it to be grown, except in a pot, or an in area where nothing else will grow and you don't mind it completely taking over!