Ctenanthe burle-marxii Amagris - Never never plant

Ctenanthe burle-marxii 'Amagris', often simply called Ctenanthe Amagris, is a prayer plant which is as interesting to observe as to grow. Its ovate, silvery grey-green leaves with darker chevrons and purple on the reverse, form a small, flexible clump about thirty centimetres high. Throughout the day, the foliage opens and then stands upright in the evening, depending on the room's light levels.

This plant from the Marantaceae family is a cultivar of the species Ctenanthe burle-marxii, native to the humid tropical forests of Brazil. It is an understorey tropical plant that grows in partial shade in a warm, humid atmosphere. It is a rhizomatous perennial that forms a dense clump 25 to 30 cm tall and 30 to 40 cm wide in a pot.
The 'Amagris' cultivar is more compact than the species. It is also distinguished by its oblong to ovate, 10 to 15 cm long, very pale, almost silvery grey-green leaves, crossed by fine dark green bands along the veins, the pattern of which resembles a fish skeleton. The reverse is aubergine purple, clearly visible when the plant raises its foliage in the evening. The young shoots are slender, slightly edged with red, and emerge from an underground rhizome that thickens over time. Flowering is rare indoors: small white flowers emerge from small inflorescences borne on short stems, carrying pale green to yellowish bracts. They tend to appear from late spring to summer on well-established specimens. No reputable source reports any toxicity for this plant, which is considered non-toxic to humans and pets.

Indoors, Ctenanthe 'Amagris' requires moderate to bright but always indirect light and a stable temperature, ideally between 18 and 26 °C. It appreciates fairly high air humidity, especially in winter in heated homes. It is not the most forgiving plant if you forget to water it or if the air is too dry. It is better for a gardener with some experience of tropical plants, willing to monitor watering and humidity, rather than a beginner.

Ctenanthe burle-marxii 'Amagris' thrives in a living room, a warm bedroom, an office, or in a bright bathroom or kitchen that is naturally humid. This variety fits into soft, contemporary settings. You can place it in a white, sand-coloured, or soft green ceramic planter and surround it with other marantaceae with more pronounced patterns. It pairs particularly well with Ctenanthe 'Golden Mosaic', which is taller and variegated with yellow, Calathea orbifolia with large green and silver striped leaves, Calathea zebrina with velvety zebra-striped foliage, or Calathea 'Fusion White' with its white-green marbling and lilac reverse.