Aphelandra Squarrosa
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Light: low light to moderate indirect |
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Watering: keep soil moist but not soggy |
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Humidity: increased |
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Non-Toxic: I am pet/kid friendly |
Aphelandra squarrosa, known more commonly as Zebra plant, is a tropical plant originally from Brazil. Typically grown indoors, it's lauded for its unique dark leaves that are striped with white veins, as well as its colorful flowers. When in bloom (which usually happens in late summer or early autumn) a Zebra plant bears tall golden bracts that can reach several inches and number between two to four per plant, lasting up to six weeks. Like many tropical plants, the Zebra plant can be a challenge to grow indoors, especially in temperate areas.
If you're up for the challenge of nurturing this tough tropical, begin by choosing a spot for your plat that boasts a slightly higher humidity level (60–70 percent) and a temperature above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the plant in bright, filtered light (but not direct sunlight) and its soil consistently moist. Accentuate its graphic striped leaves with an equally bold pot and keep an eye out for its signature yellow bract, which will bloom in late summer or early fall. Once the plant has flowered and the bracts appear to be dying, prune your plant, taking care to remove the spent bract and any surrounding leaves or stems that appear.