{"id":9083,"date":"2023-09-01T02:38:05","date_gmt":"2023-09-01T06:38:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=9083"},"modified":"2023-09-01T02:54:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-01T06:54:04","slug":"how-to-grow-and-care-for-zebra-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2023\/09\/01\/how-to-grow-and-care-for-zebra-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Grow and Care for Zebra Plants"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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This striking houseplant will add a bold splash of color to your home.<\/p>

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PHOTO:\u00a0<\/span>

DEAN SCHOEPPNER<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

One look at the bold white stripes on a zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa<\/em>) will tell you how it got its name. In addition to their striking striped leaves, these beautiful plants are sure to attract attention with\u00a0their lush tropical look. When in bloom, these South American natives produce beautiful yellow flower spikes that can last for weeks.\u00a0Zebra plants are usually grown as houseplants, but in warmer regions, they’ll grow outdoors where their\u00a0flowers attract hummingbirds\u00a0and butterflies.<\/p>

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Zebra Plant Overview<\/h3>
GENUS NAME<\/td>Aphelandra squarrosa<\/td><\/tr>
COMMON NAME<\/td>Zebra Plant<\/td><\/tr>
PLANT TYPE<\/td>Houseplant, Perennial<\/td><\/tr>
LIGHT<\/td>Part Sun<\/td><\/tr>
HEIGHT<\/td>null to 2 Feet<\/td><\/tr>
WIDTH<\/td>null to 1 Foot<\/td><\/tr>
FLOWER COLOR<\/td>Yellow<\/td><\/tr>
FOLIAGE COLOR<\/td>Blue\/Green<\/td><\/tr>
ZONES<\/td>10, 11<\/td><\/tr>
PROPAGATION<\/td>Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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Where to Grow Zebra Plants<\/span><\/h2>

In warmer parts of the country such as Florida and Southern California, zebra plants can be planted outdoors in gardens or containers. But in most of the United States, zebra plants should be kept as indoor plants. As tropical plants, they do especially well in sunrooms (out of direct sun), bathrooms, and kitchens where humidity tends to remain somewhat higher than the rest of the house.\u00a0Keep them in a location away from drafts and fans and in a\u00a0bright location with indirect light.\u00a0<\/p>

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Care Tips for Zebra Plants<\/span><\/h2>

Although they can be somewhat finicky to grow, zebra plants can thrive in most homes with a little basic attention to their needs.<\/p>

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Light<\/span><\/h3>

Bright, indirect light is required for these plants to thrive and bloom. East-facing and north-facing windows are usually best if the light is unobstructed by plants, buildings, and other structures. South-facing windows work well if plants are kept out of the direct sun.\u00a0<\/p>

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Plants kept in too little light will\u00a0become leggy and stretched out, while plants kept in too much light will\u00a0bleach out or even burn. Once you find the right location for your zebra plant, try to move it as little as possible.<\/p>

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Soil and Water<\/span><\/h3>

Zebra plants prefer organically rich,\u00a0well-draining soil\u00a0that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Keep the plant in a plastic pot with holes in the bottom for proper drainage, and place it inside a decorative pot without drainage. Remove your potted zebra plant from the decorative pot\u00a0when it’s time to water. Add water until it drains out the bottom, then place it back inside the decorative pot once it stops dripping.<\/p>

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Temperature and Humidity<\/span><\/h3>

Zebra plant needs warm temperatures for proper growth. Fortunately, their preferred temperatures are about the temperature range of most American homes, from the mid-60s to the mid-70s. High humidity is not necessary can be beneficial for the best growth. Kitchens and\u00a0bathrooms tend to have higher humidity levels\u00a0than other areas around the house, which can help improve plant health.<\/p>

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Fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>

Fertilizer is necessary for most potted plants\u00a0due to the leaching of nutrients from soils, and zebra plants are no exception. Feed your plants with a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer once a month while plants are actively growing and blooming.\u00a0<\/p>

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Pruning<\/span><\/h3>

Pruning zebra plants is generally not necessary, but\u00a0spent flowers can be cut off\u00a0to help plants redirect nutrients and energy into new growth. Allow leaves to naturally fall off the plant rather than cut them off. Plants naturally re-absorb and divert nutrients from older leaves prior to dropping them and removing them prior to this can sap nutrients from the plant and hinder further growth.<\/p>

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Potting and Repotting<\/span><\/h3>

As houseplants, zebra plants can be\u00a0repotted any time of year. Plants should be moved into the next-size larger pot when roots begin to push against the pot and\/or come out the bottom of the pot. For example, a plant in 4-inch pot should be transplanted into a 6-inch pot.<\/p>

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Pests and Problems<\/span><\/h2>

Zebra plant is susceptible to a variety of pests\u00a0such as mealybugs, scale, and aphids. If plants become infected, treat them with an\u00a0organic pesticide such as neem oil\u00a0or insecticidal soap. Scale insects may require manual removal by using either your fingernail or a cotton bud soaked in rubbing alcohol to separate them from the leaves.<\/p>

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Because of their need for constant moisture, zebra plants are often overwatered and get root rot. If root rot happens, take\u00a0stem cuttings and propagate them\u00a0to create new plants. Discard the infected root ball and thoroughly clean the pot before reusing it.\u00a0<\/p>

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How to Propagate Zebra Plant<\/span><\/h2>

Zebra plants are relatively easy to propagate by cuttings following these steps:<\/p>

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  1. Cut stems into 3-6 inch portions and remove all but one leaf per cutting. Mark the bottom of each section with a marker to avoid confusion.<\/li>
  2. Apply a powdered rooting hormone to the bottom inch of each cutting.\u00a0<\/li>
  3. Fill small pots with a\u00a0mixture of moist 50% peat moss and 50% perlite.<\/li>
  4. Make a holes with your finger in the soil, deep enough to place about half of each stem section into the pot.<\/li>
  5. Place planted cuttings in a bright location with high humidity. Spray and water regularly to maintain moisture. Using a warming mat under the cuttings can help to speed up the process and reduce the risk of rot developing.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>
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    Companion Plants for Zebra Plant<\/span><\/h2>

    Zebra plants grow well when planted with other\u00a0tropical houseplants, but care should be taken to choose companion plants that prefer the same level of moisture and will not overpower them. Good companion plants are pothos (Pothos<\/em>\u00a0spp.),\u00a0peace lily\u00a0(Spathiphyllum<\/em>\u00a0spp.), and Korean rock fern (Polystichum tsus-simense<\/em>)<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    This striking houseplant will add a bold splash of color to your home. PHOTO: DEAN SCHOEPPNER One look at the bold white stripes on a zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) will tell you how it got its name. In addition to their striking striped leaves, these beautiful plants are sure to attract attention with\u00a0their lush tropical look. When in bloom, these South American natives produce beautiful yellow flower spikes that can last for weeks.\u00a0Zebra plants are usually grown as houseplants, but in warmer regions, they’ll grow outdoors where their\u00a0flowers attract hummingbirds\u00a0and butterflies. Zebra Plant Overview GENUS NAME Aphelandra squarrosa COMMON NAME Zebra Plant PLANT TYPE Houseplant, Perennial LIGHT Part Sun HEIGHT null to 2 Feet WIDTH null to 1 Foot FLOWER COLOR Yellow FOLIAGE COLOR Blue\/Green ZONES 10, 11 PROPAGATION Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings Where to Grow Zebra Plants In warmer parts of the country such as Florida and Southern California,…<\/p>\n

    Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-9083","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-green-plants-and-flowers"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9083"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9088,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9083\/revisions\/9088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9083"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9083"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}