This move houseplant will supply a bluff plash of color to your home .
Dean Schoeppner
Take one look at the bold white stripes on a zebra plant(Aphelandra squarrosa ) and you ’ll sleep together how it got its name . Zebra plants ( not to be confused withzebra haworthia ) are known for their striking striped leave , but these beautiful industrial plant are indisputable to draw in attention withtheir lavish tropical look . When in blush , these South American natives raise beautiful sensationalistic flower spikes that last for week . Zebra plants are typically grown as houseplant , but in warmer region , they ’ll grow out of doors where theirflowers attract hummingbirdsand butterflies .
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
Where to Grow Zebra Plants
In warmer persona of the commonwealth , such as Florida and Southern California , zebra plants can be planted outdoors in gardens or containers , but in most of the U.S. , they should be kept indoors . As tropical plant life , they do especially well in sunrooms ( out of direct sun ) , lavatory , and kitchens , where humidity tends to remain somewhat in high spirits than in the rest of the house . Keep them in a location away from drafts and fans and in a bright localization with collateral luminosity .
Care Tips for Zebra Plants
Although they can be somewhat fussy to originate , zebra plants can flourish in most plate with a little basic attention to their motive .
Light
smart , indirect light is require for these plant to thrive and blooming . East - facing and Frederick North - face window are usually best if the light is unobstructed by plants , building , and other structures . southward - facing window study well if plants are kept out of the direct sun .
Plants kept in too little lightbecome leggy and stretched out , while plant kept in too much lightbleach out or even burn . Once you find the veracious location for your zebra flora , seek to move it as little as possible .
Soil and Water
Zebra plants favor organically copious , well - drain soilthat retains moisture without becoming waterlogged . Keep the works in a pliant pot with holes in the bottom for proper drain , and place it inside a cosmetic sens without drainage . Remove your potted zebra industrial plant from the decorative potwhen it ’s sentence to urine . Add water until it drain out the bottom , and then place it back inside the ornamental mint when it stops dripping .
Temperature and Humidity
Zebra plant needs ardent temperature for right growth . luckily , their preferred temperature ( mid-60 ° F to mid-70 ° degree Fahrenheit ) are about the temperature range of most American homes . High humidity is not necessary butcan be beneficial for the full increase . Kitchens and bathrooms tend to have gamey humidness levels than other areas around the house , which can improve plant wellness .
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is necessary for most potted plantsdue to the leach of nutrients from soils , and zebra plants are no exclusion . Feed your plants with a ecumenical - purpose , water supply - soluble plant food once a month while the plants are actively growing and blooming .
Pruning
Pruning zebra plants is in general not necessary , butspent heyday can be cut offto help plant redirect nutrients and energy into new growth . set aside folio to naturally go down off the plant rather than cut them off . flora naturally re - engross and divert food from old leaf prior to throw them , and remove them prior to this can exhaust food from the industrial plant and blockade further growth .
Potting and Repotting
As houseplants , zebra flora can berepotted at any time of year . Plants should be go into the next - size - larger passel when ascendent begin to fight against the pot or come out the bottom of the flowerpot . For example , a plant in a 4 - column inch pot should be graft into a 6 - inch pot .
Pests and Problems
Zebra plants are susceptible to a variety of pestssuch as mealy bug , scale , and aphids . If your plants become infected , treat them with anorganic pesticide such as neem oilor insecticidal soap . Scale insects may need manual remotion by using either your fingernail or a cotton swab intoxicate in rubbing intoxicant to part them from the leaf .
Because of their need for changeless moisture , zebra plant are often overwatered and develop root rot . If root rot go on , takestem cut and circularise themto produce new flora . Discard the septic beginning egg and thoroughly clean the tummy before reusing it .
How to Propagate Zebra Plant
Zebra plant are comparatively well-off to propagate by cuttings following these steps :
Companion Plants for Zebra Plant
Zebra plants grow well when planted with othertropical houseplant , but care should be taken to prefer companion plants that prefer the same level of moisture and will not overmaster them . Good companion plants are golden pothos ( Pothosspp.),peace lily(Spathiphyllumspp . ) , and Korean rock fern ( Polystichum tsus - simense )
Pothos
Pothosis one of theeasiest houseplants to grow , and most varieties tolerate very low Inner Light . Pothos is a tough but pretty vining plant that grows in most conditions with slight piss or juiceless soil . Like zebra plants , Epipremnum aureum thrives in high humidity and temperature between 65 ° fluorine and 75 ° F
Peace Lily
care for apeace lilyis so simple , it is often commend for first - time houseplant owners . Like the zebra plant , the peace lily is aboriginal to South America and prefers lovesome , humid climates . Even in scummy light , this adaptable plant life bear lush green foliage and ( now and again ) ashen flower spathes on tall , graceful stems . Peace lily favor bright , collateral light and tend to grow 1 to 3 feet tall indoors but can stretch to 6 feet tall when farm outside in twelvemonth - round tropical climates .
Korean Rock Fern
David J. Stang
Korean rock ferns(Polystichum tsus - simense ) are sluttish - care ferns that can be grow both indoors or outside in ardent climates ( geographical zone 7 - 10 ) . Native to easterly Asia , these adorable ferns opt burnished , collateral light and warm , humid climates . The minuscule , tufted fern has a low - growing , respectable habit and is a popular choice for terrariums and tropic houseplant collections .
Frequently Asked Questions
No , zebra works are not considered toxic , but their muggins can be an thorn for some citizenry .
Zebra flora is fairly slowly - growing , but it will finally top out at about 2 human foot tall over time .
Zebra plant are slowly - arise and do not bloom annually . Give your plants plenty of clip to mature and eventually bloom .
Dean Schoeppner.
No — although bothAphelandra squarrosaand Haworthia succulents are commonly advert to as zebra plant . Zebra haworthia ( or zebra cactus ) looks like aloe but contain distinctive ashen stripes . Calatheais also unrelated and now and then touch to as a zebra plant . Calathea zebrinalooks a raft likeAphelandra squarrosabut has lighter - colored farewell and does n’t flower .
Credit: Blaine Moats
Credit:David J. Stang
