Aphelandra squarrosa aka Zebraplant
Taxonomy
Aphelandra squarrosa, also known as the "Zebra Plant", is a small to medium-sized tropical shrub with broad green leaves decorated with white veins and purple stems. It grows best in a well-drained acidic potting soil and requires high humidity to thrive. In summer and early fall, the plant produces big yellow flowers that add a nice aesthetic touch. Citel in Flora Brasiliensis by Carl Friedrich Philipp von Martius, Aphelandra is a part of eastern coastal Brazil's Atlantic Forest vegetation and is often used as a decorative houseplant. Though its growth happens slowly, the Zebra plant is easy to care for and also non-toxic for our households with pets or kids. It requires only occasional pruning to maintain growth. All these make it the perfect houseplant choice for any home.
Common names
Zebraplant, Saffron SpikeHow to care for Zebraplant
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Zebraplant is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Zebraplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Zebraplant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Zebraplant prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Zebraplant to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Zebraplant is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.
Humidity
No extra humidity is necessary for the Zebraplant. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Zebraplant should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Zebraplant as it grows vertically.
Region of origin
Zebraplant’s native range is the tropical Americas.
Flower
Yes, if you provide your Zebraplant with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
