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Although zebra flora ( Aphelandra squarrosa ) have a report for being among thehardest - to - please houseplants , their showy white - stripy leaves and sunny bracts place them among thebest houseplant , too . If zebra plant care essay slippery , just keep in mind that real zebras are unmanageable to domesticate , too !
Other houseplants that go by the common name of zebra plant includeDipteracanthus spp . ,Haworthia spp . , andCryptanthus zonatus . However , only concern teaching for theAphelandrazebra plant will be covered here .
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Zebra Plant Care at a Glance
unwashed Name : Zebra plantScientific Name : Aphelandra squarrosaSoil : African reddish blue pot mixLight : brilliant , indirect lightWater : always moistFood : High - nitrogen plant foodTemperature and humidness : Above 65 degrees , eminent humidityPropagation : root point cuttingsSafety : Nontoxic
Zebra Plant Characteristics
A phallus of the Acanthaceae category , the zebra flora only is unfearing inUSDA Zones 11 and 12 . Although it can reach heights of 6 understructure or so in the wilds of its native Brazil , growers often address it with a growth appetite suppressant so it seldom surpasses 2 feet when in a container .
The veins of its glossy and ovate dark - fleeceable leaf are heavily striped with blanched , and the zebra plant occasionally sends up stalks topped with cluster of yellow bract — ordinarily in fall — from which emerge tubular yellow flowers . Each of those two - lipped blooms is consider a zebra blossom . They do n’t last long , but the more splashy bracts persist for up to 2 months .
If you do n’t like the veined markings onA. squarrosa , you might require to check out otherAphelandrahouseplant mintage with different rough-cut public figure . After all , a zebra ca n’t change its stripes !
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Types of Zebra Plant
Selecting Soil for Zebra Plants
Give zebra plants a light , downlike , and mildly acidulent potting soil such as anAfrican violetmix with a pH between 6 and 6.5 . If you do n’t have access toAfrican violet potting grease mix , try aggregate two parts of peat moss with one part each ofvermiculite and perlite .
A standard potting mix should also work , provided that it is n’t too heavy . Plants that prefer to be kept constantly damp — include zebra flora — can decompose easy in labored soil or in too - large Mary Jane . Confine it to a container no large than 6 inches in diameter with drain holes .
The Right Light
The zebra flora prefersbright , indirect light . Over the summer months , give it as brilliant a position as possible without direct sun , since that will encourage it to set bud in autumn . TheUniversity of Arkansas Cooperative Extensionadvises , “ The zebra plant requires average dark temperature above 65 stage and light levels around 650 footcandle for about 12 weeks before flowers will forge . ”
One method of accomplish that level of brightness without Old Sol is to position the plant life in asouth - confront windowwith a sheer drapery between it and the windowpane to diffuse the glare . Alternatively , set it on an east - face up windowsill where it welcome sun only in the morning , since those meek rays often are consider tantamount to lustrous , indirect light . In winter , you could reduce its igniter to moderate ( around 500 footcandle ) , but do n’t leave it in the dark .
Watering Zebra Plants
Zebra works favor to be maintain equally moist , so irrigate them whenever the open of the soil has almost dried out , rather with tepid rainwater or bottled spring piss rather than with hard tap water . After a zebra works hasflowered in fall , cut back on its piddle and keep it at a temperature of 65 degree Fahrenheit for a twain of months to give the plant a ease , but never allow all of its soil to dry out whole .
If the top of the industrial plant wilts , it likely is parch and needs tending quickly . However , the symptoms of beginning bunk , due to too much water , sometimes can mimic those of drought .
Fertilizing Zebra Plants
Fertilize your zebra plant every 2 calendar week from spring through autumn with a high - nitrogen plant food ( one in which thefirst normal numberis high than the other two ) at half strength . Refrain from feeding the plant during wintertime .
Since a zebra flora probably will expend most of its animation indoors , you ’ll want to leach its soil a couple time during summertime to prevent fertilizer table salt buildup . To do so , set the corporation ( without its saucer ) in a swallow hole with an open drain , and water the plant thoroughly until water runs from the pot ’s drainage golf hole . After allow the territory to drain for a half hour , repeat the unconscious process . Then make certain the soil drain thoroughly before you return the pot to its saucer .
Setting the Temperature and Humidity
The zebra plant life prefers temperature between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit . Therefore , it is one of those plants that in all probability should outride indoors during summer rather than being moved outside , since — in much of the U.S.—nighttime summer temperatures often will fall below 65 degrees .
Because it enjoys mellow humidity , you might want tokeep the plant in a bathroom , near a sink , or atop a humidness tray , mist over it about once per twenty-four hour period . Keep in head that aviation conditioning reduce airwave wet indoors , much as fundamental warming does . So , if your plant life ’s leaves begin to exhibit brownish tips , debate way that you canraise the humidity around it .
Propagating Zebra Plants
Since it ’s a good melodic theme to cut back your zebra flora after it flower , you might want to expend the cuttings for zebra plant multiplication . To do so , take 4 - column inch shoots from the plant ’s tips , remove the down in the mouth leaf and dip the now - unembellished leaf node at the cut ’ floor into rooting pulverization or liquid . Then , stick in those bases into a potful of damp , sterile grease such asseed get down mixuntil the treated client are cover .
An all important part of learning how to propagate zebra plants is covering the cuttings and their can with an upended formative handbag to retain humidity around those cuttings while they root . Use plastic straws or sticks to withstand that plastic aside from the carving and fix the bag shut beneath the pot . Place it in bright , collateral light where the temperature hovers between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit . Tip cuttings typically take 3 to 4 weeks to take root .
Safety Considerations
Zebra plants are nontoxic to both people and animals . However , the big bracts that make up part of a zebra plant bloom might pose a choke hazard totoddlersor pets attracted by their smart colour , who either pull them off or pick them up . So , keep the flora out of range and snip off those fading bracts before they drop .
Alternatively , you could choose to be satisfied with your zebra ’s stripe and not attempt to force the plant into blossom . Its sap can reportedly chafe cutis , so wear baseball mitt when pruning the plant and clean your pruning creature afterward .
Potential Pests and Diseases
Should your zebra plant parade theunhappy houseplant symptoms , give it a closelipped look . If its top leave-taking curl under and look kink or crispy , they probably are receiving too much sun . The lower leaf might “ curl up and die ” due to dryness , drafts , or too much drenching .
Although real zebras ’ stripes reportedly help protect them from insect , the plants named for the animal are n’t as golden and may occasionally suffer hurt fromaphids , mealybugs , andscale . Due to the calendered nature of the zebra plant ’s foliage , you should be able to knock off the aphid with potent squirt of piddle and scrub off the other insects with a damp paper towel .
FAQs About Zebra Plant Care
If you just demand some prompt answer on how to worry for zebra plant , check out the most oft demand ones below . Should you be a zebra partisan and choose more extensive entropy , consult the article above . However , you ’ll first want to verify that you are dealing withAphelandra squarrosarather than with one of the other zebra flora not cover here .
Q. How often should a zebra plant be watered?
Water your plant life whenever the surface of its grease begin to dry out in outflow through declivity . Cut back in wintertime and weewee just enough to keep the soil from dry out out completely .
Q. Do zebra plants need sunlight?
No . The industrial plant prefer promising , indirect luminousness rather than sunlight .
Q. How do you make a zebra plant bushy?
After its flower bracts wither , clip them off and cut the plant back to its first two tiers of leave to make it shaggy .
Q. Should I trim my zebra plant?
Only prune off faded flower bracts , as described above .
Q. How big can a zebra plant get?
Although it may strive a height of 6 feet in the natural state , it usually does n’t produce tall than 2 feet in a container .
Q. Can you propagate zebra plants from leaves?
Most sources advocate that you use bow summit cutting rather than leave to propagate zebra plant . ( See “ distribute Zebra Plants ” above . )
look for more challenging houseplant to test your skills ? Check out our pathfinder on caring foravocado , bird of paradise , andcroton .
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
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We ’ll facilitate you set up your first garden — whether that ’s a few pots on your terrace , a raised seam , or an in - ground game out back — and select the right plants for your land and area .
Photo: istockphoto.com
Photo: istockphoto.com
