Fishbone Prayer Plant | Ctenanthe burle-marxii | 70mm Nursery Pot

Product Description

A little leafy artwork with a whole lot of tropical charm! The Fishbone Prayer Plant is a gorgeous little beauty that brings intricate patterns, soft colours and plenty of personality to your indoor plant collection. With its elegant, oval-shaped leaves featuring silvery-green backgrounds and distinctive dark green fishbone markings, this plant is a real standout.

Its beautifully patterned foliage creates an almost hand-painted appearance, with each leaf displaying delicate green veins that branch out from the centre. Flip those leaves over and you'll discover another surprise: rich purple-toned undersides that add a wonderful splash of contrasting colour. Fresh growth emerges in lighter green shades before gradually developing its signature markings.

And there's a little movement to enjoy, too! As a member of the prayer plant family, this fascinating tropical plant naturally adjusts its leaves throughout the day and night. With its compact, gently spreading growth habit and relatively adaptable nature, the Fishbone Prayer Plant is a fantastic choice for shelves, desks and smaller indoor spaces.

Why You'll Love It

• Beautiful silvery-green leaves with distinctive dark green fishbone patterns.
• Rich purple-toned leaf undersides that add a gorgeous contrast.
• Fascinating prayer plant movement throughout the day and night.
• Compact, gently spreading growth habit that's perfect for smaller spaces.
• Pet-friendly tropical foliage with plenty of personality.

The Details

• Botanical Name: Ctenanthe burle-marxii
• Common Name: Fishbone Prayer Plant
• Pot Size: 70mm Nursery Pot
• Plant Type: Tropical evergreen foliage perennial

Light

Fishbone Prayer Plant thrives in bright, indirect light, where its beautiful leaf patterns and silvery-green colouring can really shine. A position near an east-facing window or slightly back from a bright north-facing window is ideal.

It can also tolerate medium indirect light and is generally more adaptable to slightly lower-light conditions than some of its Calathea relatives. However, growth may slow and the foliage patterns may become less pronounced if light levels are too low.

Avoid prolonged exposure to harsh direct sunlight, which can scorch the delicate foliage and cause the leaves to lose their beautiful colouring. Consistent, filtered light is ideal for maintaining healthy growth.

Watering

Keep the potting mix lightly and consistently moist, allowing the upper 1–2cm to begin drying before watering again. Fishbone Prayer Plants appreciate regular moisture but don't enjoy sitting in waterlogged soil, so good drainage is essential.

Water thoroughly when needed, allowing excess moisture to drain freely from the nursery pot. Avoid leaving the plant sitting in water inside a decorative cover pot or saucer.

Because this plant comes in a small 70mm nursery pot, the mix may dry relatively quickly during warmer weather. Check the moisture regularly rather than following a fixed watering schedule.

During cooler periods or in lower-light conditions, reduce watering frequency slightly while avoiding prolonged periods of complete dryness.

Feeding

Feed year-round with a diluted, balanced liquid fertiliser to encourage healthy foliage and steady growth.

Fishbone Prayer Plants respond well to gentle, regular feeding rather than heavy applications. Adjust the frequency according to the plant's growth rate, feeding more regularly during warmer, active growing periods and less frequently through cooler months.

Avoid excessive fertilising, as a build-up of salts in the potting mix can contribute to brown leaf tips and root damage.

Growing

Ctenanthe burle-marxii is a compact, clump-forming tropical perennial that gradually develops a gently spreading habit as new shoots emerge from its underground rhizomes. Its beautifully patterned leaves grow on slender stems, creating a lush, layered appearance as the plant matures.

It prefers a moisture-retentive but well-aerated potting mix that provides a balance of hydration and drainage. A quality tropical mix containing ingredients such as coco coir, perlite and pumice is an excellent choice.

Warm temperatures between approximately 18–27°C and moderate to high humidity encourage healthy growth. While this species is generally considered relatively adaptable, it will appreciate protection from cold draughts, heating vents and sudden temperature changes.

Higher humidity can help prevent crispy leaf edges, particularly during Melbourne's drier indoor conditions. Grouping plants together or using a humidifier can be beneficial when household humidity is low.

As the plant matures, it will gradually spread and produce additional stems, developing a fuller appearance. Repot when necessary into a container slightly larger than the existing root system.

Pet Friendly?

Yes! Fishbone Prayer Plants are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making them a wonderful choice for households with curious pets.

Although they're considered pet friendly, it's still best to discourage chewing, as consuming large amounts of any plant material may cause mild digestive upset.

Good to Know

The Fishbone Prayer Plant belongs to the Marantaceae family, commonly known as the prayer plant family. Its leaves naturally change position in response to the daily light cycle, often becoming more upright during the evening and relaxing again throughout the day.

The beautiful fishbone markings can vary slightly between individual leaves, with some displaying stronger dark green patterns and others featuring softer, more subtle colouring. Its purple-toned undersides provide an additional splash of colour that's particularly noticeable as the leaves move.

Ctenanthe burle-marxii is often considered one of the more forgiving members of the prayer plant family, although it still appreciates consistent moisture, suitable humidity and protection from harsh sunlight.

Occasional brown leaf tips can develop from dry air, inconsistent watering or mineral build-up. If this occurs, review the growing conditions and consider using filtered or rainwater if your tap water is particularly mineral-rich.

• We photograph as many of our plants as possible; however, some listings may occasionally use supplier images.
• As plants are living things, every plant is unique and natural variations in size, colour and fullness should be expected.
• The plant you receive may not be the exact one pictured, but we'll always hand-pick a beautiful, healthy plant we'd happily display in our own home.

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