The Zebra Plant is a stunning houseplant that would look at home in any display. Take a moment to have a look at this plant - those beautiful glossy leaves, dark green in colour with those striking white stripes. It somehow manages to look exotic, while also fitting in everywhere. It could work as a statement piece at the centre of an indoor plant display, or it could work as a small part of a much wider collection. Beautiful and versatile - what more could you want?
Beauty and high-maintenance tend to go hand in hand, but is that the case with the Zebra Plant? That's what we're going to explore in this blog, as we run through everything you need to know about Zebra Plant care, from the light conditions they need and how much they need to be watered, to tips on repotting and propagating. When you've finished reading this, you'll have all the tools you need to really help your Zebra plant thrive!
Are Zebra Plants easy to care for?
Before we get into all of the details of Zebra Plant care, let's just address this at the top of the article. Zebra Plants are pretty straightforward to look after - there is nothing complicated to worry about here. Give them the right conditions and they will thrive, and they do thrive indoors.
They are somewhat sensitive little plants, though. They need plenty of water, and they can be a bit fussy when it comes to the temperature of that water. Anything too cold can be a bit of a problem, so it's usually better to leave some tap water to sit for a bit before you give it a drink.
Other than that, they are quite forgiving. They can cope with some shade, and they love humidity, so work brilliantly in a bathroom or kitchen. They are slow growing as well, and will only reach a maximum height of around 40 cm. They are also non-toxic, so they are fine to have around children and pets, and they are not usually grown outdoors in the UK.
What are Zebra Plants?
Zebra Plants are originally grown in the tropical areas of South America, especially Brazil. They tend to grow in the rainforests, protected by the taller trees that tower over them. In those areas they can grow up to nearly 2 meters tall, but the Zebra houseplant is much smaller - so don't worry about them crashing into your ceiling!
They are woody shrubs, which can produce pretty little yellow flowers, which are housed in little yellow bracts, although this doesn't happen very often when they are grown as houseplants. They, instead, have to rely on their incredible foliage to draw compliments - and it works every time!
The botanical name for a Zebra Plant is the Aphelandra squarrosa, or Aphelandra Green, but it doesn't take long to work out why they have become known as the Zebra Plant - the patterned leaves bare a remarkable similarity to the animals of the same name. And just like their namesakes, these plants are exotic and familiar in equal measure.
How to care for a Zebra Plant
Okay, now let's run through, in detail, everything you need to know about Aphelandra squarrosa care, before we then provide a quick-fire guide for you to refer back to when you need it.
Let's start with how much water a Zebra Plant needs. This is the main thing you need to focus on when it comes to Zebra Plant care, because, hailing from South American rainforests, Zebra Plants are used to a fair amount of water, and aren't used to spend long periods without any. On the other hand, though, they are not used to sitting in stagnant water, as this can cause root rot. So little and often is the key here.
You'll need to water regularly, but the key is just to ensure it is always in moist soil (not soggy). The best way to check is to touch the top quarter of the soil - put your finger a couple of inches down, and if it's all dry, then it needs some water. If it's still holding some moisture, you can leave it another day and then check again.
As we mentioned above, the water should be lukewarm or room temperature. A good idea might be to leave a nice decorative watering can next to your display, full of water and then you can be sure the water will be the right temperature.
In terms of light, your Zebra Plant will thrive with bright, indirect light. They can cope with partial shade (they are used to relying on being on the ground in rainforests, getting glints of light that pass the leaves of taller trees), but they don't like to be sat in direct sunlight - this can cause the leaf tips to brown slightly, which is a shame. Indirect sunlight, through a window, is perfect.
Humidity is a big thing for Zebra Plants. Think of those hot, wet rainforests that they thrive in, and try and recreate that with a little spray of water mist regularly. They work great in bathrooms - they absolutely love the steam from a shower. Keep it away from drafty areas - you want a nice, consistent temperature.
Use this guide to help make Zebra Plant care simple:
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Origins: South America
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How much light: Zebra Plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. Keep out of direct light where possible.
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Water requirements: Water often to keep the soil moist. Not enough water could cause the leaf edges to crisp up a bit, so water every time you feel dry soil.
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Humidity requirements: It will absolutely love a spray of water mist regularly.
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Soil requirements: Well-draining soil is perfect
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Temperature requirements: 18°C to 30°C is ideal (standard home temperature), it can cope with a bit lower, but try not to leave it exposed to low temperatures for too long.
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Pruning requirements: Remove any dead or dying bracts to encourage new growth.
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Pests: Look out for spider mites, scale, aphids and mealybugs. You should be able to wipe these off with a damp cloth when you see them.
Propagating Aphelandra squarrosa
It's quite easy to propagate Zebra Plants from stem cuttings - you can do it in three easy steps.
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From the side shoots of your original plant, take a cutting, about 5-8 cm long.
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You can use a rooting hormone to give yourself the best chance of being successful - dab it on the ends, and then place in a pot with some moist soil.
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Cover the pot in cling film to create the humidity it needs to thrive. Within a month you may see new leaves - that's your indication that your roots are starting to develop. Leave it another few weeks, and then repot. Your new plant will grow from there.
Cultivate your dream display with Prickle
Now that you know everything there is to know about Zebra Plant care, there will be no stopping you! Use it to create the perfect indoor plant display in your home. Maybe you could combine them with the fantastic Zebra Elephant Ear plant? Have a look through our range today, and don't forget to also check out our expanding range of patio plants - get the perfect look inside and out!
If you have any questions about any of our plants or how to care for them, get in touch with our team of experts today - they would be more than happy to hear from you. You can get us social media (@prickplantsuk) or email contact@prickleplants.co.uk.