Standing water left on the leaves can cause fungal issues. You can mist the leaves of your zebra plant with warm, filtered water - but don't overdo it. Make that work for you! Group your zebra plant near other houseplants, and they will help each other out. Group HouseplantsĪll plants naturally increase the humidity of the air around them. The pebbles will keep the pot out of the water, but as the water in the tray evaporates, it will add moisture to the air around it. Set your zebra plant pot on top of the pebbles. You can make a humidity tray by filling a tray with pebbles and then adding water until it reaches just below the tops of the pebbles. Here are a few tricks to try to boost the humidity of the air around your zebra plant. Zebra plants love high humidity! Maintaining humidity levels of 60-70% indoors can be difficult. Move it back to a warm location in the spring to encourage blooming. Once your zebra plant blooms in the summer and the flower bract fades, clip it back and move it to a cooler location, and it needs to regather its nutrients and root strength during this dormant period. However, zebra plants do rely on cooler temperatures to signal their flowering patterns. You may need to bring your zebra plant indoors when the night gets cold. Chilly temperatures will cause the plant to go dormant and eventually die. Zebra plants can be grown outdoors on a porch or greenhouse, but it's important that it only spends a little bit of time in temperatures cooler than 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, this is likely the temperature range your home sits at already! Ensure your zebra plant isn't located near cold drafts from doorways and chimneys. The zebra plant prefers temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure to avoid leaving your plant in stagnant water, as this can result in root rot. Allow the soil to soak up the water for about 30 minutes, then remove the pot from the dish and let the excess water drain out of the pot's bottom drainage holes. You can achieve this by placing the pot in a dish of water, allowing the soil to absorb the water from the bottom.

Watering zebra plants from the bottom is considered one of the most effective methods. To determine whether it is necessary to water your plant, insert your finger approximately an inch into the soil if the soil feels dry, it is time to water. Always check to see if the top inch of the soil is moist before watering, and ensure the pot has a drainage hole.ĭuring the winter dormancy, the soil can dry out somewhat, and it should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. It's unlikely that you'll be able to water your zebra plant according to a regular schedule. You'll need to keep the soil consistently moist during the active growing season, which requires your watchfulness. Zebra plants are sensitive to both excess moisture and lack of moisture. Use filtered water that is just slightly warmer than room temperature. WaterĪphelandra squarrosa is a bit particular when it comes to watering. If your plant shows signs of receiving too much sun, consider covering the window with a sheer curtain to help diffuse the bright light. Because the morning sun is typically mild, you can try placing it near an east-facing window. Set your zebra plant in a location that receives lots of indirect sunlight. Conversely, insufficient light can hinder the plant's ability to produce flower heads. The leaves may scorch and develop brown tips when exposed to excessive light or direct sunlight. Zebra plants require ample amounts of bright, indirect light. Although the zebra plants receive an ample amount of light, it is all sifted through the branches above, resulting in filtered and not direct sunlight with a dappled effect. The Zebra plant is a rainforest plant that grows under the canopy of tall trees. Twice per growing season, the zebra plant will shoot up a 4-inch flower bract, bursting into yellow conical blooms! These flower bracts will bloom for about six weeks before fading away, making zebra plants a very showy indoor plant! Zebra Plant Care Requirements Light However, it's the flowers that truly make the zebra plant shine. Many houseplant lovers who haven't yet landed on the ideal care for a zebra plant still delight in their beautiful foliage! Zebra plants are showy! The dark green leaves are heavily striped with bright white veins, making it clear why it's called the 'zebra' plant. As a houseplant, it will stay under 2 feet tall.

In its natural environment, the zebra plant has a climbing growth pattern - but you won't see that when it's kept in a pot. The zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is native to southern Brazil, where it thrives in a humid environment shaded by the canopies of jungle forests.

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