This is a popular houseplant due to its gorgeous eye grabbing leaves. What, if anything, can I do for my zebra plant? 3. The botanical name for the Zebra plant is aphelandra squarrosa. Additionally, Houseplantsexpert.com participates in various other affiliate programs, and we sometimes get a commission through purchases made through our links. Have you tried to grow a Zebra plant? It's advisable to use luke warm soft water (not hard water). A plant that is growing well and is beginning to get too big for the pot will need to be moved to a bigger pot, while a plant that remains small can stay in the same pot for longer. Give it a try because there is nothing quite like the look of exotic houseplants. Zebra Plants are the types of succulents named scientifically as Haworthia Fasciata and Haworthia Attenuata. See house plants that not only spruce up the home but remove harmful toxins. The plant can be a real challenge to grow outside of very temperate areas. Calathea zebrina earns it common name Zebra Plant due to the striking light green and velvety leaves with purple undersides and having dark green stripes running across them resembling a Zebra. The inside of the leaves … Click here for instructions on how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Give it dappled shade and well-drained soil. amzn_assoc_asins = "B0040AR9JG,B008BOOJGI,B01FCFECWY,B00V04LE96"; Currently you have JavaScript disabled. Bright light without direct sunlight during summer time is preferred. See the guide for repotting house plants with useful tips. Also prune the stem and leaves down so there is only two rows of leaves in height left â once the bract begins to die off. PLANT CARE. Houseplantsexpert.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. 4. Only use a pot one size bigger if the plant has become pot bound (too much). It has wonderful foliage and such pretty flowers. Watering: It's important to keep the soil moist to the touch, and not water … Keep the temperature between 65 and 80 degrees F. Rotate the pot often so that it will grow without leaning to the light. This species has flat circles of coral-pink flowers and distinctly tropical-looking foliage that is … This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission from the sale, but the price is the same for you. Although zebra plant isn't finicky, it won't tolerate neglect and requires adequate sunlight, water and fertilizer in order to thrive. Zebra Plant or Zebra Haworthia This succulent is great for your indoor succulent garden. Archived. Too much sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch. Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is an eye-catching tropical plant, appropriately named for the vivid, contrasting stripes on the large, dark green leaves. The zebra plant … The Zebra plant will flourish best when given bright, indirect sunlight or part shade and will bloom more often with longer periods of light. 9 comments. That said, repotting your Wandering Jew once in a while is definitely a good idea. How to Prune a Leggy Succulent. You can prevent this to some extent with a little manual grooming and the proper fertilizing program. Generally speaking, a lack of sunlight will change the entire look of the succulent. The leaves are covered with many white tubercles, aligned separately in horizontal lines or spread over the surface. Submit your house plant to the new forum and ask others for identification. Most multi-purpose or peat based potting soil mixes are fine to use. It is natively found in the rainforests of central and South America, where it … amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; Mist frequently to give the plant the humidity it loves. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; Indoor Zebra plants can have relatively short longevity, only a few years tops – they will most likely become leggy and leafless even with the best care. Aphelandra squarrosa (botanical/scientific). Leach to remove excess soluble salts that build up in the soil as this will cause leaf loss to occur. It has thick, dark green leaves with white horizontal stripes on the outside of the leaves. Ficus Pumila, F. Lyrata, F. Elastica and F. Benjamina. Donât forget to take your cutting for propagation now. Zebra plant (common). If you're up for the challenge of nurturing this tough tropical, begin by choosing a spot for your plat that boasts a slightly higher humidity level (60–70 percent) and a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Legginess in plants is often the result of perfect growing conditions which allows them to add on too much greenery before the plant has adequate dimension and strength in stems and roots. The bract is the real attraction rather than the small flowers. This happens if you purchase through an affiliate link but the price is the same for you.Copyright & Permissions © 2021 - Carol G Speake. Posted by 1 year ago. Wrap newspaper around the stem of each plant to prevent damage. Zebra Plant $ 29.00 *Plant height will vary. The leaves of the leggy succulent will then grow smaller and have a lighter color than usual. Let’s fix all those leggy, etiolated stretched out succulents and make more plants! Native to the jungles of Brazil, the Zebra plant is a beautiful—but temperamental—plant. Roseopicta, C. Zebrina, C. Crocata, C. Makoyana, C Lancifolia and others. Applying heat to the bottom of the pot (using a temperature mat) can speed up the growth process. one of the most popular breeds of plant in the Calathea family. Click to see our Privacy Policy, Pruning Forsythia - How and When to Trim Forsythia Bushes, Flowering Houseplants - 15 Blooming Indoor Plants. The flower can last for up to 6 weeks, however, it does not blossom often. Light: Bright light without direct sunlight during summer time is preferred. On the other hand, a plant that naturally gets leggy overtime will not have a stretched-out look and will not appear pale. The stump will take some time but will grow new little baby plants around the sides of the stump. If an unexpected freeze injures the top, cut the plant to the ground; it will resprout. A grower can expect flowers after summer. Zebra plants like slightly higher humidity than many other plants of 60% - 70%. However, it is quite a temperamental species and can easily lose it's leaves and becomes leggy - without the proper care it needs. These are propagated through taking a couple of inches long stem tip cuttings and using rooting hormone to help them grow roots. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. The plant needs bright filtered light. The botanical name for the Zebra plant is aphelandra squarrosa. To do well, it needs lots of moisture, just the right humidity and plant food and quite a bit of warm weather. Join me as I cook and garden my way through life. It has gotten so leggy as the lowest set of leaves continue to brown and fall off. Temperatures from 60-75 ºF (15-23 ºC) are ideal and no lower than 55 ºF (13 ºC). © 2013new Date().getFullYear()>2013&&document.write("-"+new Date().getFullYear());, Houseplantsexpert.com. Even if you don’t have just the right flowering conditions, it’s worth growing the plant for its gorgeous glossy striped foliage. Succulent pruning is not rocket science. 2. The amount of flower heads produced depends on the amount of stems, which is more often than not, two - four. You can also give the plant extra humidity by growing it sitting on a layer of pebbles with water under them. Aphelandra squarrosa, also known as zebra plant can be a real challenge to grow. Tradescantia zebrina has attractive foliage, sporting exciting zebra-patterned leaves. However, it is quite a temperamental species and can easily lose it's leaves and becomes leggy - … Some of the butterflies you may see enjoying this plant include monarchs, swallowtails, and zebra longwings. amzn_assoc_region = "US"; The leaves are quite large and have bright silvery veins, which give the plant its common name for it. The result is a floppy, leggy plant growth. What, if anything, can I do for my zebra plant? The ideal room temperature is about 70 ºF (21 ºC) and fairly high humidity improves the chance of successfully propagate the cuttings. If you love to grow flowering houseplants, zebra plant can’t be beat The flowers come in late summer and autumn on a tall flower stem that is long lasting – some can last for up to six weeks. Remember to remove flower spikes after the flower … The plant is fabulous. Potting: Use a well-drained potting mixture. There are some succulents that also occasionally go by the name of Zebra Plant, though this is more uncommon. Sometimes cuttings will do better than the original plant. The Gardening Cook is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Leaves dropping: The cause here could be dryness of the soil, too much cold air, cold drafts, or even too much sunlight. Propagate from cuttings if old plant looks leggy. Foliage: As mentioned above the aphelandra squarrosa displays lovely dark glossy green leaves with prominent whitish colored veins. Cattleya, Lycaste, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum. Once the bright yellow bract of a Zebra Plant fades, remove the entire spike. amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; I come from a long line of gardeners, and have always loved to experiment with food and recipes. The plant can be propagated by stem cuttings in the spring time, so if you do not have luck with yours, you can try again with pieces of the stem dried out and potted. The plant is fabulous. save. amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "thegarcoo-20"; Honestly, it’s hard to imagine any plant being any more spectacular, either of … Remove flower spikes after the flower has died to prevent the plant from expending all its energy in the making of seeds. Each leaf can grow over 12 inches tall and mature clumps of this tropical perennial can grow over 2 … Keep the potting mixture moist but not soggy. Fertilize monthly in the spring, summer and fall with an all purpose plant food. The flower bract will last for up to about 6 weeks and the small yellow flowers that grow from the bract last for about a week. They are similar species of perennial plants with the short, clustered leaves that look like almost stemless. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; The plant will usually just have long, leggy stems that sprawl out as they grow. Watering: Potting soil must be kept moist at all times, but not soggy, which is one factor in this plant's temperamental upkeep. Get it as soon as Wed, May 19. In the winter, a zebra plant can handle more moderate light. Leaf tips turning brown: The most likely cause here is low humidity. It will either turn green or its original color will fade. Cut back leggy stems after bloom to encourage branching and create a bushier plant. However, growing in any well lit room with fairly high humidity and plenty of warmth is worth a go at growing this fussy species. The plant can have a tendency to get leggy. Do zebra plants bloom?FLOWERING: A Zebra Plant produces flowers from a four sided yellow spike made up of overlapping bracts. Premier Plant Solutions 15235 Karl Foerster Feather Reed Grass, 19cm, Green. Pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushiness. Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." ... the plant usually gets very leggy and leaves are often lost near the base of the plant. share. I fell in love with zebra plants when I was a kid. Easy to care for and if rested during the winter will give pleasure for several years. amzn_assoc_linkid = "c23019163a842fbc5b7342fe36a86e37"; How to Prune a Calathea. Follow these growing tips: Zebra plants will grow to about 3 feet tall if they get the right conditions. Water often, the plant likes to be evenly moist but not soggy. Re-pot in spring each year. Use 7 to 8 inch (17.5 to 20 cm) plastic pots with the same drainage holes and potting mix. You may be able to avoid this by keeping them in bright light, do not allow the soil to dry out completely, feed when plant is in growth period, provide additional humidity, and keep from cold temperatures in winter. Zebra plant often become leggy and leafless when kept in the home under less than optimal conditions. The Zebra plant, otherwise known as Aphelandra squarrosa, is an evergreen shrub, which makes an attractive houseplant due to its evergreen foliage and striking variegated appearance. amzn_assoc_title = ""; It's not a strange occurrence when one of these plants does not make it to see the next spring. Low humidity levels within an artificially heated room during winter is not going make a Zebra plant very happy. 40. $17.40 $ 17. Close. SmartMe Live Plant - Zebra Maiden Grass Japanese Silver Grass Hinjo - 1 Plants. I’ve since mastered the art of getting it to bloom, but it takes just the right conditions for the pay off! The leaves are quite large and have bright silvery veins, which give the plant its common name for it. Flowers: The flowers look similar to other bract type flower heads and grow cone shaped at the tips of a stem with small flowers that grow out of the bract. Posted on Published: 01/12/2018 Categories Container Gardening, Gardens, Indoor Plants. Keep plant in moist potting mix and never allow the root ball to dry out. The best place for them to grow well is within a conservatory or any other glass room because they usually offer more bright light and the ability to control humidity better, which is what this plant likes. It also flowers, but when kept as a houseplant, this rarely ever happens. If you want to enjoy this plant for a longer period without buying a new one, you will need to propagate it. If the soil is left dry for too long, the leaves will drop and the plant will be leggy. Gardeners in south Florida can grow zebra plant outdoors, where it blooms in summer and fall. The crown will root and continue to grow, the leaves will start growing roots and new plants can grow from the cut-off part of the leaf. I would advise you eliminate some of the possible causes that cannot be the cause (eg. (bottom heat will give better odds of a new plant forming.) The zebra plant grows well indoors when given the correct care and conditions. Zebra plant does not thrive if its roots are soggy. You may need to raise the humidity levels in a room artificially by placing the plant in a humidity tray with pebbles or use a humidifier appliance. In order to post comments, please make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled, and reload the page. I got one and managed to keep it healthy but never could get it to flower. It has wonderful foliage and such pretty flowers. Feed with a balanced fertilizer once every two weeks during spring and summer. It has gotten so leggy as the lowest set of leaves continue to brown and fall off. 4 Special Zebra Plant Care Tips 1. This can help prevent the plant getting leggy and losing leaves (which most do) whilst giving the plant an opportunity to grow the following year.