Aphelandra squarrosa, the zebra plant
Aphelandra squarrosa
- Exposure
- Sun
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Family
- Acanthaceae
- Genus
- Aphelandra
- Species
- Zebra plant Aphelandra squarrosa
Other names:Aphelandra chrysops, Aphelandra coccinea, Aphelandra leopoldii, Aphelandra oostachya, Ruellia comosa
Do you love striking foliage and thrive on challenges? Then Aphelandra squarrosa is for you. This plant from the Acanthaceae family grows in the rainforests of Brazil. But it can also be grown indoors, provided it gets enough light and plenty of humidity.
How can you recognize the zebra plant, Aphelandra squarrosa?
Aphelandra squarrosa is an upright shrub that can reach two meters in height in the wild. When potted and grown indoors, it's a dense, branched plant that doesn't exceed 60 centimeters in height and 40 centimeters in spread.
The simple, opposite leaves grow on a fleshy stem. They measure up to 30 centimeters long by 5 centimeters wide. These leathery, smooth, and glossy leaf blades are oval-shaped with a pointed tip. The foliage is green with white or cream-colored veins. The botanical variety has dark green leaves. However, some cultivars are so dark green that they appear almost black. Others display a very bright, vivid green.
The color of the inflorescence also varies depending on the hybrid. In aphelandra squarrosa 'Dania',' the most common variety, it is bright yellow. In the “Snowflake” cultivar, it is orange-yellow, edged with dark red. But it always has the same shape: an upright terminal spike formed of several overlapping bracts. The fragrant blooms last all summer. The flowers themselves last only a few days, while the bracts remain on the plant for six weeks.
Compared to this explosion of color, the fruits of Aphelandra squarrosa seem rather dull. These oblong capsules, less than one centimeter long, contain one to four seeds.
The zebra plant is not toxic. You can grow it without worry, even if you live with curious young children or animals that like to nibble.
Our care tips
Aphelandra squarrosa are reserved for experienced gardeners. To keep them alive, you'll need to find the right balance of watering, light and heat.
Watering
Aphelandra squarrosa likes to keep its potting soil constantly moist. Don't wait for the substrate to dry on the surface before watering.
Water the soil with rainwater at room temperature. Don't use hard water, as it could kill your plant.
Soak the root ball until water runs off through the drainage holes. Drain off any excess water.
Drain any stagnant water from the planter or saucer to prevent root rot.
Misting
Spraying foliage with water at room temperature improves humidity and reduces the risk of pest attack.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Mist the leaves with non-calcareous water, such as rainwater or demineralized water. Limescale leaves white marks on the leaf blades.
Repotting
Every year in the spring, repot your Aphelandra squarrosa to give it more space.
Get a pot with drainage holes. Line the bottom with clay pellets or gravel to improve drainage.
Next, add a layer of potting mix for houseplants. You can lighten it with a little river sand or vermiculite. Plant your Zebra plant in the center and fill the pot with the substrate.
Water thoroughly so the roots settle into the soil.
You can place the pot on a saucer filled with moist clay pellets to increase humidity.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Aphelandra squarrosa, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Aphelandra squarrosa are heavy-feeding plants. Feed them with a flowering plant fertilizer to support their growth.
Cleaning
The dust that accumulates on foliage hinders photosynthesis and the growth of your Zebra plant. You can remove it with a damp cloth or clean sponge.
Prune
Using clean, sharp pruning shears, remove damaged or dried-out foliage.
Taking cuttings
Propagation by cuttings is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.
Cut a stem about ten centimeters long, just above a node. Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears. In some specimens, stems lignify over time.
When you take your cutting, choose a portion that is still supple and will root easily.
When you take your cutting, choose a portion that is still supple and will root easily.
Plant your graft in a pierced pot lined witha rich, light substrate, such as potting soil with sand.
Install the cutting in a mini greenhouse. If you don't have one, you can cover it with a translucent bottle. Remember to aerate regularly and mist the soil if it dries out.
Wintering
To flower, your plant must experience a drop in temperature.
Install aphelandra squarrosa in a bright room where the temperature is between 15° and 18°. Choose a location away from draughts and direct sunlight.
During this period, stop fertilizing and reduce watering frequency.
During this period, stop fertilizing and reduce watering frequency.
Diseases / Threats
Information
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Exposure
- Sun
- Substrate
- Humus soil
- Planting method
- In pots
- Categories
- IndoorHerbaceousFlowery
- Tags
- FloweryCold-sensitiveThirsty
- Origin
- South America
- Hardiness (USDA)
- 11b (7.2°C ≤ T° < 10°C)
- Leaf colors
- Dark greenWhiteCreamDark green
- Flower colors
- Light greenRedYellow
- Fruit color
- Brown
Discover plants from the same family
Aphelandra squarrosa 'Dania'
Aphelandra squarrosa ‘Dania’
Red-hot poker
Aphelandra aurantiaca
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
