Description
🌿 Zebra Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) – Detailed Description
🔍 Overview
The Zebra Plant is a popular tropical houseplant admired for its striking foliage and vibrant flowers. Its large, glossy, dark green leaves feature prominent white or light green veins that create a zebra-like pattern, giving the plant its common name. Native to Brazil’s rainforests, the Zebra Plant is prized for its ornamental value and dramatic appearance.
🌱 Botanical Information
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Scientific Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
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Common Names: Zebra Plant, Zebra Leaf
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Family: Acanthaceae
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Origin: Tropical rainforests of Brazil
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Plant Type: Evergreen perennial shrub (grown indoors as a houseplant)
🍃 Plant Characteristics
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Leaves | Large, ovate, glossy dark green leaves with striking white veins creating a zebra-like pattern. Leaves can grow up to 10 inches long. |
| Height | Typically grows to about 1–3 feet tall indoors. |
| Flowers | Bright yellow, tubular flower bracts appear on tall spikes, usually in late winter or early spring. Flowers are short-lived but highly decorative. |
| Growth Habit | Bushy, upright growth with a compact form when pruned. |
🌞 Growing Conditions
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Light | Prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight which can scorch leaves. |
| Watering | Keep soil evenly moist, but not soggy. Avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter. |
| Temperature | Thrives in warm temperatures between 18–26°C (65–80°F). Sensitive to cold drafts and temperatures below 15°C (60°F). |
| Humidity | Requires high humidity. Regular misting or using a humidifier helps prevent leaf browning. |
| Soil | Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with good aeration. |
| Fertilizer | Feed every 4–6 weeks during growing season with a balanced, diluted fertilizer. |
✂️ Care & Maintenance
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Pruning: Pinch back new growth to encourage bushiness and remove any yellow or dead leaves.
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Repotting: Repot every 1–2 years to refresh soil and provide room for growth.
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Pests: Watch for spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Keep leaves clean and inspect regularly.
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Dormancy: The plant may go semi-dormant after flowering and require less water.
🌟 Why Grow a Zebra Plant?
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Adds bold, graphic foliage to indoor plant collections.
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Produces stunning yellow flower spikes that brighten interiors.
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Ideal for tropical-themed décor or as a striking focal houseplant.
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