Description
Zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa)
Native to the jungles of Brazil, the Zebra plant is beautiful but temperamental plant.
Light: Thrive in bright indirect light. If it gets enough light, a zebra plant will produce spikes of stunning yellow flowers. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and should be avoided.
Watering: Prefer a consistently moist soil. Water when the top 1” of soil is dry (water zebra plant when the soil surface begins to dry). If you let it dry out too much, zebra plant will drop its lower leaves. It can also drop leaves if it consistently gets too much water.
Humidity: Prefers to be kept at 60 to 70 percent humidity. You can increase moisture levels by using a humidifier.
Repotting: Zebra plants do not need to be repotted often, benefitting from a new planter only every two to three years. If you notice a decrease in soil, simply remove the top inch or two with a fresh batch of soil, which will give the plant an added dose of nutrients. A multi-purpose potting blend is adequate for a Zebra plant.
Fertilize: If you wish to fertilize zebra plant, do so in spring and summer using a fertilizer designed for houseplants. Follow the directions on the packaging for tips on how much fertilizer to use and how often to apply it.