Ctenanthe Burle-Marxii (Ctenanthe burle-marxii) is the fishbone prayer plant: oval leaves patterned with a silvery-green herringbone down the middle, dark green at the edges, with a purple underside. It is named after the Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx, and it grows into a lush, clumping plant that looks like a piece of living textile. Like its calathea cousins it folds its leaves up at night.
This guide covers everything Ctenanthe Burle-Marxii needs: light, water, humidity, temperature, soil, repotting, feeding and the problems that show up when something is off. The care facts come from our plant database. It wants the classic prayer-plant conditions — gentle indirect light, soil that stays lightly moist, soft water and humid air — and it is safe around cats and dogs. Keep it out of direct sun and cold draughts and the herringbone pattern stays crisp.
Ctenanthe Burle-Marxii at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Ctenanthe burle-marxii |
| Light | medium indirect |
| Water | weekly; keep soil lightly moist |
| Humidity | high |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 1–2 years |
| Pet safety | non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Medium indirect light is what a ctenanthe burle-marxii wants — the soft, filtered light of a rainforest floor. A spot near an east-facing window, which gives gentle morning light, usually suits it perfectly. A south- or west-facing window works too, as long as the plant sits well back from the glass or behind a sheer curtain; even a few hours of direct sun will fade the pattern and crisp the edges.
Watch the leaves for clues. Washed-out, pale leaves point to too much sun, while long, bare stems and dull colour point to too little light. Rotate the pot a quarter turn every couple of weeks so the plant grows evenly. If your only spot is dim, a grow light helps — our grow-light calculator can work out how many hours your plant needs.
Watering
Water weekly and keep the soil lightly moist — never soggy, never bone dry. Push a finger into the soil: if the top feels dry, water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes; if it still feels damp, wait. A prayer plant that dries out completely will curl or droop its leaves, and it recovers slowly, so small, regular waterings beat occasional drenchings followed by drought.
Use soft water if you can. This plant is sensitive to tap-water salts, and brown leaf edges are often a water-quality problem rather than a watering-frequency problem. Rainwater is ideal, distilled or filtered water is a good substitute, and tap water left standing overnight is better than straight from the tap. Our watering calculator gives a starting amount for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can turn it into a routine.
Humidity and temperature
This plant prefers high humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). In practice that means two things to manage: warmth and moisture. Keep it away from cold draughts, cold windows and doors that open onto winter air, and away from radiators and heating vents that blast hot, dry air. A stable, warm room suits it far better than a spot that swings between hot and cold.
High humidity is not optional for a prayer plant — it is the difference between flawless leaves and brown, crispy edges. A small humidifier beside the plant is the most effective option, grouping plants together helps, and a pebble tray under the pot adds a little. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room is humid enough, or whether a humidifier is the answer.
Soil and potting
A ctenanthe burle-marxii needs a mix that stays moist without staying wet: potting soil lightened with perlite and bark, with some coir or peat for moisture retention, in a pot with drainage holes. The balance matters — too dense and the roots suffocate, too airy and the soil dries out between your weekly waterings. Water should run through the pot when you water, but the mix should still feel lightly damp a few days later. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the proportions for your pot size.
Repotting
Repot every 1–2 years. The signs are roots circling out of the drainage holes, water running straight through without wetting the soil, or growth that has slowed even though light, water and humidity are right. Repot in spring, move up only one pot size, and settle the plant at the same depth in fresh mix. Repotting is also the moment to divide a large plant — see propagation below — and a good time to trim away any dead or damaged roots. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size.
Feeding
Feed lightly and only in the growing season: a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength, once a month in spring and summer, and nothing in autumn and winter. More fertiliser is not better for a prayer plant — excess salts build up in the soil and burn the leaf edges. If the leaf tips brown even though humidity and water are right, flush the pot with plain soft water until it runs clear from the drainage holes.
Propagation
The reliable way to propagate a ctenanthe burle-marxii is division in spring. When you repot, look for natural separations in the root ball and gently pull or cut the plant into sections, making sure every section has healthy roots and a few leaves of its own. Pot each one in fresh, moisture-retentive mix, water well, and keep it warm and humid while it settles. For marantas, stem cuttings taken just below a node will also root in water within a few weeks, which is useful for pruning back a leggy plant.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Curling leaves | Underwatering | See below |
| Faded leaves | Too much direct sun | See below |
| Yellow leaves | Overwatering | See below |
Curling leaves
Likely cause: underwatering. Curling is the plant's way of conserving moisture — it usually means the soil is dry or the air is too dry. Water if the soil needs it and raise the humidity around the plant; the leaves should uncurl once moisture returns.
Faded leaves
Likely cause: too much direct sun. Move the plant out of direct sun into bright indirect light. Faded leaves will not regain their colour, but new leaves grown in gentler light should come through vivid again.
Yellow leaves
Likely cause: overwatering. Overwatering is the most common cause of yellow leaves. Let the top soil dry before watering again, make sure the pot has drainage holes and is not sitting in water, and trim away leaves that are fully yellow.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water ctenanthe burle-marxii?
Weekly; keep soil lightly moist. Always check the soil with a finger first rather than watering on a fixed day, because the interval changes with the season and pot size. Water thoroughly when the soil is dry and let the excess drain away.
How much light does ctenanthe burle-marxii need?
It needs medium indirect light. A spot near an east-facing window usually suits it well. Too little light gives slow, stretched growth and dull leaves; harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves.
Is ctenanthe burle-marxii safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, ctenanthe burle-marxii is non-toxic to cats and dogs.
When should I repot ctenanthe burle-marxii?
Repot every 1–2 years, or sooner if roots circle out of the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size, use fresh free-draining mix, and repot in spring.
Why are the leaves on my ctenanthe burle-marxii curling?
Curling leaves on a ctenanthe burle-marxii are a moisture alarm — the plant curls its leaves to slow water loss when the soil is dry or the air is too dry. Check the soil and water thoroughly if the top is dry, then raise the humidity with a humidifier or by grouping plants together. The leaves usually relax within a day once moisture returns, though crisped edges will not heal.
Related guides
Browse the full houseplants hub for more species care guides, or try the tools hub for calculators that help with watering, light and repotting.