Zebra Plant Guide: How to Care for a Zebra Plant

The zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is a tropical plant native to Brazil. Known for its dark green leaves and contrasting white veins, this popular houseplant can grow up to two feet tall indoors and six feet outdoors. When in full bloom, the zebra plant grows bracts of bright yellow flowers.

Since they’re native to tropical environments, zebra plants thrive in warm, humid, and shady environments. Ideally, the humidity level of the room housing your zebra plant should be between 60 and 70 percent, and the temperature should be above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposing a zebra plant to temperatures below 60 degrees can cause it to lose its leaves, as can extreme fluctuations in temperature.

Zebra plants can thrive in indoor environments so long as they have the right balance of light, warmth, moisture, and nutrients.

1. 1. Keep your zebra plant in a partially shaded area. In their natural environment in Brazil, zebra plants live beneath a canopy of trees where they’re exposed to bright indirect light and partial shade. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves while too much shade will prevent the plant from blooming, so aim to strike a balance.
2. 2. Water regularly. The trick is to keep your zebra plant consistently moist without overwatering it. You can do this by saturating the soil every few weeks with lukewarm water—enough to seep out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Observe the stems for signs of root rot and use a soil mix with perlite to ensure proper draining.
3. 3. Fertilize during the growing season. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer formulated for flowers and foliage every other week during the spring and early summer months. Fertilizing will help ensure your zebra plant blooms in the late summer to early fall.
4. 4. Repot your zebra plant every year. Zebra plants are healthiest when repotted annually—ideally in the springtime. It’s also during this repotting period that you can propagate your zebra plant by either sharing stem cuttings with friends or spreading them to other pots in your yard or inside your home.
5. 5. Deal with pests. Pests like whiteflies, aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs can harm your zebra plant. To get rid of an infestation, clean the leaves and stems with insecticidal soap or mist them with neem oil.
6. 6. Maintain high humidity. To measure the humidity in your home or greenhouse, you can buy a hygrometer to get a precise reading or simply put a few ice cubes in a glass of water. If no condensation forms on the outside of the glass after a few minutes, the room is likely too dry. You can keep a humidifier nearby to increase humidity levels, or you can place your plants in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen where there’s more moisture.
7. 7. Wear gloves when handling your zebra plant. While zebra plants aren’t toxic, the sap can irritate some people’s skin. Wear gardening gloves when repotting your zebra plant or pruning a wilting flower bract to avoid any potential irritation.

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