Never-never plant

Never-never plant: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Upright clump 90 cm tall and 70 cm wide, growing from a creeping rhizome.

Leaves

Long and narrow (30–50 cm), with a wavy edge; dark green above with silvery-grey feathery stripes, purple-red beneath.

Colour

The pattern is best in a bright spot without sun; in full sun the leaves fade and the edge turns brown.

Flower

It rarely flowers indoors. The flowers are small and inconspicuous.

Roots

A rhizome with fleshy roots that like a light, moist compost.

Plants: April–May

Why grow it?

• Striking leaf pattern: silvery-grey feathery stripes on dark green, with a purple underside.
• Tolerates partial shade and even shade, where many variegated plants lose their colour.
• Evergreen and a full, upright clump that fills space.
• Keeps its foliage looking good all year if the humidity is right.
• Easy to divide: one plant quickly gives several.

Never-never plant: where does it grow best?

• Partial shade to shade: a bright spot without direct sun, for instance a few metres from a window or behind a north window.
• Light, humus-rich compost: potting compost with peat or coir, perlite and some bark; acid to neutral.
• Evenly moist, not wet; the pot must drain well.
• Warm: 18–24 °C, never below 15 °C. Keep it away from draughts.
• Provide high humidity: never above a radiator, but on a tray of damp clay pebbles.

Light

Bright, out of direct sun or low light

Potting soil

Multi-purpose compost or airy, humus-rich compost

Acidity

Acid or neutral

Watering

Moderately or generously

Size

0.9 m tall, 0.7 m wide

Temperature

Minimum 15 °C

Goes well with

• Calathea: Same light, warmth and humidity, with other leaf patterns.
• Prayer plant (Maranta): A relative with spotted leaves that fold up in the evening.
• Nerve plant (Fittonia): A small, patterned foliage plant for the base.
• Ferns: They keep the air humid and give a soft, green backdrop.

Never-never plant: when and how to plant it?

Plant in April–May.

1. Repot in April–May, when the growing season starts and the roots fill the pot.
2. Choose a wide pot with drainage holes, about 2–4 cm larger than the old one.
3. Use a light, airy potting compost mixed with a quarter perlite and a little fine bark.
4. Set the plant at the same depth as before and firm gently.
5. Water straight away, let the excess drain and put the plant in a warm, bright spot without sun.
6. Repot every two years; if the pot is big enough, only refresh the top layer of compost.

Care

Water

Keep the compost evenly moist: water as soon as the top centimetre is dry and let the excess drain. Use rainwater or other low-lime water at room temperature.

Feeding

From April to September give half-strength foliage plant food every 2–4 weeks. None in winter.

Humidity

Stand it on a tray of damp clay pebbles or near a humidifier; mist the leaves only with low-lime water.

Light

Plenty of daylight without sun; in sun the leaves fade and the edge scorches.

Cleaning leaves

Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth now and then; dust blocks light and attracts spider mite.

Tip: Keep the compost evenly moist with low-lime water and provide humid air. It tolerates less light than many other variegated plants.

Never-never plant: when to prune it?

When: It is not pruned. Remove dried or damaged leaves all year round.

How:

• Cut dead or brown leaves off with their stalk at the base, just above the compost.
• Trim brown leaf edges with sharp scissors, following the shape of the leaf.
• Use clean scissors to prevent infection.

Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In April–May, when repotting: take the clump out of the pot and cut or pull it apart into pieces, each with a few stalks and roots. Pot them up separately and keep them moist and warm.

Stem cuttings

In spring or summer: a piece of stem with one or two nodes in light, moist compost or in water, kept warm and humid under plastic. Keep it bright and wait for roots and new leaves to appear.

Never-never plant: how does it get through the winter?

• Not hardy: it needs at least 15 °C and is happiest at 18–22 °C.
• Water a little less, but do not let the pot dry out completely. Do not feed.
• Keep it away from cold windows and draughts and keep the air humid, even when the heating is on.

Diseases and pests

• Brown leaf edges: Dry air, lime-rich water or too little water. Raise the humidity, use rainwater and trim the brown edges.
• Curled leaves: The plant or the air is too dry. Water, mist with low-lime water and stand it on a tray of damp clay pebbles.
• Faded or scorched leaves: Too much sun. Move it to a spot with filtered light.
• Spider mite: Fine webbing under the leaves and dull foliage, especially in dry air. Rinse the plant, wipe the leaves and raise the humidity.

Through the year

• January: Rest: a little less water, no feeding. Away from cold windows.
• February: Rest: a little less water. Keep the air humid.
• March: More light and water. Prepare for repotting.
• April: Repot or divide. Start feeding.
• May: Repot or divide. Keep evenly moist.
• June: Growing season: water, feed and humid air.
• July: Growing season: shade from fierce sun.
• August: Growing season: water and feed. Watch for spider mite.
• September: Last feed. Gradually water a little less.
• October: Water less. Away from draughts.
• November: Rest: no feeding, a little less water.
• December: Rest: keep warm and the air humid.

Did you know?

• The name comes from Greek: ktenos (comb) and anthos (flower), after the comb-like arrangement of the flower head.
• It belongs to the prayer plant family, like Calathea and Maranta, whose leaves raise or fold up in the evening.
• In the wild it grows in the shade of tropical rainforest, which explains its need for warmth and humid air.