Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) Indoor Care, Propagation and Problems with Solutions
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Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant) flourishes in bright light, warm and humid conditions and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Zebra Plant is grown indoors for its all year round large leaves with silvery veins which provide an attractive feature and for the golden cone-like bloom which provides color for a short time.
Botanical name: Aphelandra squarrosa
Family: Melastomataceae
Common name: Zebra Plant
Origin
Aphelandra squarrosa is native to the Atlantic forest vegetation of Brazil.
Size
Zebra Plant can grow to a height of 2 feet and to prevent it from becoming leggy, regular pruning is required.
Varieties
The basic species of Zebra Plant can reach a height of 3-4 feet and therefore is not ideal to be grown indoors. The usual choice for growing indoors are the less vigorous varieties.
The less vigorous varieties include Louisae, which is a 1-2 feet sturdy bush with red-tipped bracts.
More compact types of Zebra Plant include Brockfeld and the golden Dania. Fritz Prinsler has the most eye-catching veining.
Other newer varieties of Zebra Plant are Apollo with white veins and Red Apollo which has a blush of red on the stems and on the leaf undersides.
Toxicity
Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. The plant is safe to grow in the home.
Where to Buy Zebra Plant
Zebra Plants are a beautiful addition to any plant collection, check them out online on Etsy (Link to Etsy or on Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Aphelandra squarrosa Care Indoors
Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant) prospers in bright light, average temperature of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Zebra Plant requires pruning to keep it neat and tidy as well as discourage pest and disease infestation. Repotting is needed when the plant becomes pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Zebra Plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out to maintain the soil moist through out.
Lessen watering during the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely as it can lead to wilting and leaf drop.
Avoid soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant. Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.
Light Requirements
Zebra Plant grows best in bright light away from direct sunshine. Exposure to direct sunlight will result in sunscorched leaves.
Aphelandra squarrosa can also grow under grow lights where natural light is not sufficient. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.
Temperature and Humidity
The best temperature for growing Zebra Plant is an average temperature of 18-260C. Protect it from cold drafts to prevent leaf drop.
Zebra Plant thrives in humidity of 60-70%. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and also discourage pest infestations. Maintain good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Zebra Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Zebra Plant monthly with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season for lush growth. Do not feed in the growth season as growth is minimal at this time therefore the plant does not it.
Pruning
Prune Zebra Plant by removing dead blooms and leaves to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage pest infestations. Cutback the plant after flowering to 1/3 of its height to encourage new growth and to keep the plant bushy and compact. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Repotting
Repot the Zebra Plant at the beginning of the growing season only when the plant becomes pot-bound as it blooms best when root-bound.
Use a pot one size larger than the previous one and ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease. Check out these ceramic planters with drainage hole on Amazon.
Propagation
Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings.
How to propagate Zebra Plant from stem cuttings
Take stem cuttings of about 4-6 inches from a healthy Zebra Plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2 leaf nodes.
Dip the lower cut end of the cutting in a rooting hormone to hasten rooting.
Insert the cutting in moist, free-draining soil. Ensure the rooting container has adequate drainage to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Cover the set up with clear polythene to create a greenhouse effect in order to promote rooting.
Place the set up in a warm, brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight. Rooting should occur in about 6 weeks.
Allow the new Zebra Plants to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.
Aphelandra squarrosa Problems
Aphelandra squarrosa (Zebra Plant) growing problems include leaf drop, wilting, leaf spots, brown leaf tips and edges, pests snd diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Pests
Common pests in Zebra Plant are spider mites, scale insects and aphids. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Wilting and dropping leaves
Underwatering is the cause of wilting and leaf drop in Zebra Plant as it requires consistently moist soil during the growing season.
Water the plant thoroughly and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season. Decrease watering in the cold season to maintain the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water houseplants correctly.
Dropping (shedding) leaves
Cold drafts and exposure to direct sunlight can cause leaf drop in Zebra Plant. Keep the plant away from cold drafts like windy doors, windows and air conditioning units to maintain average temperature of 18-260C. Check out this guide on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Do not expose the plant to direct sunlight. Position it where it will receive bright light with no direct sunlight falling on the leaves.
Brown leaf tips and edges
Too low humidity will cause brown leaf tips and edges in Zebra Plant as it prefers a warm and humid environment. To increase humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier.
Brown leaf spots
Exposing Zebra Plant to direct sunlight will result in brown sunscorch marks on the leaves. Keep it away from direct sunlight. Position it where it will receive bright light with no direct sunlight falling on the leaves.
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