Zebra plant in pot
Zebra plant light leaves yellow and red flower
Flower spike zebra plant
Inflorescence Aphelandra squarrosa
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Aphelandra squarrosa, the zebra plant
Contents
Find all our tips in the Monstera application
Do you like graphic foliage and love a challenge? Then Aphelandra squarrosa is for you. This plant of the Acanthaceae family lives in the rainforests of Brazil. But it can also be grown indoors, provided you give it enough light and plenty of humidity.
How to recognize the zebra plant, Aphelandra squarrosa?
Aphelandra squarrosa is an upright shrub that can reach two meters in height in the wild. In pots and indoors, it is a dense, branching plant that doesn't exceed 60 centimetres in height and 40 centimetres in spread.
Simple, opposite leaves grow on a fleshy stem. They measure up to 30 centimetres long and five centimetres wide. These leathery, smooth, shiny blades are oval with pointed apices. Foliage is green with white or cream veins. The botanical variety has dark green leaves. But some cultivars are so dark green they appear almost black. Others are a bright, luminous green.
The color of the inflorescence also changes depending on the hybrid. The most common variety aphelandra squarrosa 'Dania', is bright yellow. In the 'Snowflake' cultivar, the inflorescence is orange-yellow with dark red margins. But the shape is always the same: an upright terminal spike formed of several interlocking bracts. The fragrant bloom lasts all summer long. The flowers only live for a few days. The bracts, on the other hand, last for six weeks.
In contrast to this explosion of color, the fruits of Aphelandra squarrosa appear dull. These oblong capsules, less than a centimetre long, contain one to four seeds.
The zebra plant is non-toxic. You can grow it without fear, even if you live with gluttonous animals and curious young children.
Our maintenance 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.
Spray
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 spring, repot your Aphelandra squarrosa to give it more space.
Obtain a perforated pot. Line the bottom with clay balls or gravel to improve drainage.
Then pour in a layer of potting soil for green plants. 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 copiously to ensure the roots adhere to the soil.
You can place the pot on a saucer of moist clay balls to increase humidity.
Fertilization
To promote the growth of your Aphelandra squarrosa, apply fertilizer in spring and summer.
Aphelandra squarrosa are greedy 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.
Cutting
Cutting 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
| Family | Acanthaceae - Acanthaceae |
| Type | Aphelandra - Aphelandra |
| Species | Zebra plant - Aphelandra squarrosa |
| Lifecycle | Perennial |
| Foliage | Evergreen |
| Exposure | |
| Substrat | |
| Planting method |
In pots |
| Categories | |
| Tags |
Flowery Fritillary Soiffarde |
| Origin |
South America |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 11b |
| Leaf color |
|
| Flower colors |
|
| Fruit color |
|
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