Ctenanthe oppenheimiana

Ctenanthe oppenheimiana Tricolor

I like all Ctenanthe plants, though they do tend to expand fairly quickly into big clumps, so have to be reined in every so often. A recent addition to my garden is Ctenathe oppenheimiana 'Tricolor' (ht 60 cm or more), with irregular creamy white blotches on grey-patterned green leaves and distinctive cerise undersides. It is sometimes known as the never-never plant. I have paired this with Iresine herbtii 'Brilliantissima', which has foliage of exactly the same cerise colour, to form a pleasing pair. It also looks effective grown near Aspidistra. with plain, green leaves of a similar shape, or with the cerise-bracted Justicia scheidweileriThis plant grows well in part or dappled shade; even where it is dry. It is tough and undemanding. They grow well in large pots.

Though other Ctenanthe can be rampageous thugs, I have never found this one to spread too far.