Zebra-plant profile

Zebra- Plant, scientific name Aphelandra squarrosa, is a perennial shrubby herb of the family Cephaloptera. The stem is erect, branched, leaves large, ovate or ovate-elliptic, opposite, green, shiny, with bright pale yellow veins. Terminal spicate, golden bracts, corolla labial, yellow, flowering August to October. Zebra plant is native to the Atlantic coastal forest of Brazil. It is a kind of indoor potted flowers that can see the leaves and appreciate the flowers. It is suitable for medium and small potted plants. Zebra-plant also belongs to the variety with high ornamental value.

Zebra-plant picture

Morphological characteristics of Zebra-plant

Zebra-plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is a perennial evergreen shrubby herb, plant height 25 to 30 cm, purple-black stem, half fleshy. Leaves are simple opposite, oblong, 10 -- 12 cm long, 5 -- 8 cm wide, entire, and slightly inward curl tortoiselike, apex acuminate, base cuneate; The leaves are dark green.

Zebra- Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is erect, square stems and strong, slightly fleshy. Leaves are opposite, ovate or ellipsometer-ovate, apically acute, shortly stipitate, 15-30 cm long, ca. 10 cm wide. The leaf tip is pointed, the leaf is dark green, shiny, the leaf surface has obvious white striped veins, veins, leaf margin are undulating. Spikes are terminal or axillary, clusters pyramidal, bracts yellow, sometimes with red edges, interloping pedicels, somewhat overlapping like roof tiles, flowers double-lipped, five-sepal, pale yellow, open year-round under suitable conditions. zebra-plant main veins and pinnate lateral veins were yellow and white in color. Leaves are leathery, lustrous. A terminal spike with golden yellow florets that open from bottom to top in layers lasting several weeks.

Zebra-Planta (Aphelandra squarrosa) flowering period is from August to October.

The ecological habits of Zebra-plant

Zebra- Plant likes warm, humid and semi-cloudy environment, warm and humid climate, like light, slightly shade tolerance, not cold resistance, avoid water, avoid direct sunlight, and should be placed in semi-shade in hot summer.

Zebra-plant is not cold-resistant, the suitable temperature for growth is 20 ~ 25℃, the wintering temperature must be above 10℃. It is suitable for good drainage of fertile soil.

Top teeth to form flower buds and bloom, winter temperature is not less than 15℃, the soil with loose, fertile leaf rot soil as well.

Zebra-plant cultivation technology 

Zebra-plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America. Zebra-plant likes warm, moist half shade environment, not cold, afraid of drought, although like enough sunshine, and also afraid of strong direct sunlight, can be placed in the bright light and no direct sunlight place maintenance.

Light

Usually, indoor culture can be placed in the light of the south window. In summer around noon, it should be to pay attention to appropriate shade, avoid strong direct sunlight.

The temperature

The most suitable temperature for growth is 20-25 ℃, and flower buds can only form when the temperature is above 20℃. In winter, the room temperature should not be lower than 10℃. If the room temperature is too low, it is easy to suffer from freezing injury and even cause leaves to fall off.

Fertilizer

Early summer to the early autumn season, flower bud differentiation to pregnant bud period, and it can be applied every half a month 1-time compound liquid fertilizer, to promote its robust growth, green flowers.

Moisture

Because of the large leaf area, every 10 days or so to apply a ripe thin liquid fertilizer or compound fertilizer. In winter in a bright room, appropriately reduce watering, and maintain the room temperature above 10℃. After flowering the plant has 4 weeks to 6 weeks of the dormant period, and it should be watered, stop fertilization because watering too much easy to cause rotting roots and fallen leaves. At the end of the dormant period, the basin should be replaced once. The soil should be rich in humus and have good air permeability.

Soil

Potting soil should be rich in humus and have good air permeability. It can be prepared with foliar or peat soil and 1/3 vermiculite or perlite. Place the plants in a warm, semi-shady place, keep the soil and air moist, and wait for new shoots to sprout.

Pruning

Since zebra flowers (Aphelandra squarrosa)rarely develop lateral branches from their own growth, they can be cultivated by cutting or pruning to control the height of the plant, keep the plant shape beautiful, and promote lateral buds, so as to achieve the purpose of more flowering. Flowers should be cut off in time after fading, so as not to consume too many nutrients, affecting plant growth.

Zebra- Plant Disease Control

When the weather is sultry, it is easy to be harmed by scale insects, red spiders and so on. It is more concentrated on the petiole and the back of the leaf. It is necessary to strengthen ventilation, and timely spray 40% oxidized dimethoate emulsion agent 1000-1500 times liquid for prevention and control.

Zebra- Plant distribution region

Zebra-plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is originally grown in dark and humid jungles in Mexico and Brazil. It is mainly grown in tropical America from South America to Mexico and Brazil. Now it is widely cultivated in China.

Zebra- Plant function

Ornamental value

Zebra- Plant lovely leaf color, dark green and glossy, pale yellow veins, leaf neat, its pattern like zebra stripes. The flower shape is peculiar, the flower ear is golden, the color is bright and bright. It is a kind of fine indoor potted flowers that can not only see leaves but also appreciate flowers and has high ornamental value. Zebra- Plant is suitable for medium and small potted, potted plants planted in the hall, reception room, exhibition hall and other places, the south is planted in the flower path, flower beds and other places with safflower plants, increase the ability of garden outreach.

Zebra- garden use  

Zebra- Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is a kind of ornamental plant with beautiful leaves and flowers, with bright green leaves and yellow veins, golden flowers and unusual flower shapes. Zebra- Plant can be used as a medium and small pot. Commonly used to decorate rooms, halls, offices, or conference rooms, it is very quiet and simple and elegant.

Zebra- Plant (Aphelandra squarrosa) is also suitable for flowerbeds, creating well-proportioned height and foliage, suitable for families, hotels and window decoration, because its base leaves easy to turn yellow off, and can be used peppergrass, duck planta grass and other dwarf plants around. Ithas a good ornamental effect.