Family: Marantaceae

These evergreen, mainly Brazilian plants are grown for their foliage effects. The leaves may be patterned in silver, yellow, gray or creamy pink. They have a compact growth habit and, as they are frost-tender, are grown in a warm greenhouse or conservatory in frost-prone climates, where they are also popular as house plants.

Species

C. lubbersiana, which grows to 60 cm (24 in), is the most commonly grown of the species. It has slender, forking stems and lance-shaped, long-stalked, green leaves, variegated in yellow above and mottled with pale green below.

C. oppenheimiana, to 1 m (3 ft), is a vigorous, clump-forming species. It produces broad leaves, light green above and purple beneath. The cultivar 'Tricolor' is variegated with cream and both light and dark shades of green.

Cultivation

These plants grow well in pots of soilless potting compost. Provide maximum light but shade from direct sun. High humidity is recommended for best growth; in the growing season plants can he mist sprayed daily with plain water. Outdoors, they make good groundcover in a moist spot which is in partial shade. Propagate by division in spring.

Climate

These plants require at least zone 10.