Zebra plants, or Zebra Cactus as they are popularly known, are increasingly popular due to their air-purifying properties. They are easily identifiable and enhance the beauty of your room, office area, kitchen garden, etc.
This gorgeous and attractive plant will surely enlighten your mood after a hard day at work.
If this makes you want to get one but are worried as you don’t know how to care for a Zebra plant, don’t worry. We are here to help you care for your sensitive yet eye-catching Zebra Plant.
1. Types of Zebra Plants
1.1 Dania
They have green leaves with contrasting white veins. The stems also spot maroon colour and bear beautiful, eye-catching yellow flowers.
1.2 Fritz Prinsler
This beautiful plant bears dark green leaves accompanied by slightly yellow veins. The glory lies in its bright yellow flowers and bracts.
1.3 Leopoldii
The Leopoldii has broader leaves as compared to the other Zebra plants and blooms with gold flowers accompanied by red bracts
1.4 Louisae
The Louisae Zebra plant consists of green leaves with yellow veins. The yellow flowers of the plant blooming with gold bracts give a beautiful glimpse of the flower, which is a blessing to catch.
1.5 Snow White
True to its name, the ‘snow-white‘ bears dark green leaves with white veins. The unique white spots on the leaves resemble the snow and are a glory to witness. The flowers can be gold or yellow
2. Key Factors On How To Care for a Zebra Plant
Nurturing the tricky Zebra plant in indoor gardening is a challenging task at hand. Being sensitive by nature, it might drop leaves and grow leggy if not cared for properly.
2.1 Humidity
The Zebra plants grow in humidity levels of 60 to 70 per cent. However, it might be challenging to maintain this humidity level in colder climates. So, one can place a humidity tray with pebbles below the Zebra plant pot.
If it still does not work, opt for a humidifier nearby to relieve yourself of the stress of maintaining humidity.
2.2 Temperature
The Zebra plant prefers temperatures ranging from 65 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The house plant prefers moderate temperatures with not too much light.
Due to its sensitive nature, sudden temperature fluctuations might not be suitable for the Zebra plant to flourish.
In colder countries, it might be difficult to maintain the required temperatures in an indoor environment.
2.3 Sunlight
The Zebra plants prefer indirect sunlight because they have been grown under a canopy of trees in dense tropical forests.
Exposure to direct sun is enough during the morning, but ensure placing the pot in a place getting indirect sunlight in the afternoon.
The best plan is to place your zebra plant at a window facing the west or south.
Typically, the leaves of a Zebra plant turning yellow or brown is a sign that the plant needs to be shifted to partial shades.
2.4 Water
A Zebra plant is a favourite of the lazy gardener who often forgets to water his plants. If you want to make your Zebra plant happy, you can go in for filtered lukewarm water due to its temperamental nature.
If you reside in areas with hard water, you can also opt for rainwater as there will be minimum dissolved minerals in it.
One should keep the soil moist but refrain from over-watering as this will turn the soil soggy, and the roots of the plant will begin to rot. The soil should drain the water entirely from the pot.
The leaves of a Zebra plant falling is a sign that the plant is not being watered enough. Immediately watering the plant will help to restore the plant, provided it has not been without water for a longer period.
2.5 Soil
The Zebra plant prefers moist and not wet soil, having neutral to acidic properties.
However, if you prefer making your soil, the combination can be one part of peat moss, another part of perlite, and a part of potting soil.
The chosen soil type must be moist and refrain from holding water for the Zebra plant to flourish.
2.6 Fertilizers
It is vital to fertilize the Zebra plant in a period of one or two weeks. However, over-fertilization should be avoided as it can harm the plant.
It is best to use liquid fertilizers as they can be diluted per usage. Fertilizer sticks or spikes should be avoided as there is no control over dosage.
2.7 Pests
The Zebra plant is prone to attacks by pests like spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, etc. At this time, use natural pesticides, neem oil, or insecticidal soap to protect the houseplant.
The infected plant should also be isolated from other plants to prevent infection.
2.8 Repotting
The Zebra Plant needs to be repotted every 2 to 3 years. The Zebra plant loves the spring season for repotting.
When the roots of the Zebra plant begin to hit the pot, it’s time to change the pot.
The Zebra Plant needs to be removed from the current pot. A knife can be used to loosen the soil. Then, report the Zebra plant in a new pot with a potting mix filled around the roots.
The soil should be tapped down to firm but not too tightly. The Zebra plant can also be watered now to settle the soil.
Always plant your Zebra plant in a pot just one size bigger than the previous pot. Just like we need time to adjust to a new place, the Zebra plant also needs time to adapt to a unique pot.
2.9 Pruning and Propagating
Pruning is one of the most important steps any Zebra plant parent should know about. Zebra plants need some maintenance in the form of pruning for proper growth and maintenance.
Pruning must be done with sharp, clean shears, or they will do more damage than good.
Sanitizing the shears is equally crucial after treating a diseased plant to prevent the spread of the infection to other plants.
Pruning becomes necessary in the following cases: –
2.9.1 Case 1
The Zebra houseplant has undergone the process of flowering.
Pruning becomes necessary in this case since otherwise, the energy will divert toward dead flowers rather than leaves.
Also, it is necessary to remove the dead flowers immediately after flowering. Otherwise, the plant will start losing leaves.
2.9.2 Case 2
The skinny plant has grown very long with just a few leaves (this situation is often referred to as a leggy plant).
Sometimes, legging also happens to reach out for some sunlight. So, the exact cause needs to be determined as well.
Tip – If you aim to go in for some serious pruning, spring is the active growing season of the year. The initial days of the growing season are a fantastic time to prune any plant.
3. Propagation of the Zebra Plant
Pruning is also done to initiate propagation. If you desire new plants or if the plants have outgrown the pots, propagation becomes necessary.
Propagation can be done in soil, water, and air. Propagation will require a 2-3 inches long stem from the plant’s side shoots.
If propagation is done in the soil in a pot appropriately, then there will be no need to repot the plant.
It would be best to ensure that the area with nodes is wholly covered. A plastic zip-top bag is required to cover the pot to trap the moisture and stimulate new growth.
You must also adjust the humidity, preferably with a humidifier nearby or a heating mat to stimulate growth.
Propagation Tips You Should Know!
If propagation is done in water, the glass must be narrow. Distilled room-temperature water with a bright location will work wonders for propagation.
In this process, it is easy to monitor the roots daily. One needs to ensure the roots are fully immersed in water.
When propagation is done through the air layering method, it is very time-consuming, but the plant is strongest through this.
This method involves getting the plant to grow roots before cutting the stem off.
The stem is slit with a sharp knife below the node; preferably, a toothpick is stuck into it to keep it open. This helps prevent the wood from closing before forming roots.
The stem cuttings also need to be wrapped with some moist sphagnum moss.
The next step is to plastic wrap the stem with foil and tie it. When roots begin to grow from the moss, it is time to remove the stem from the past plant and place it in its new pot.
Propagation through the air layering method is a lengthy process and needs about 1 to 3 months to complete.
4. Other Issues
The Zebra plant is vulnerable to some issues and needs proper care and maintenance.
4.1 Shedding of Leaves
The Zebra plant sometimes tends to shed its leaves. The reason might be not watering adequately or occasionally excess plant watering. Your Zebra plant will be happy when the soil is moist enough and not watery.
4.2 Curling or Crinkling Leaves
The leaves of the Zebra plant sometimes undergo curling or crinkling. In such a situation, there is a chance that the plant is overexposed to too much direct sunlight or feels overheated.
4.3 Browning of the Leaves
Many times, the leaves of the Zebra plant turn off white or brownish. This may be due to direct contact with sunlight for a long time or too much fertilization.
The Zebra plant should ideally be moved to a shaded place with no direct sunlight, and the fertilization should be reduced.
5. Diseases
Due to its moisture-retaining capacity, the Zebra Plant quickly falls prey to many fungal infections. Some of the common diseases infected by the plant are as follows.
5.1 Botrytis Cinerea
The Botrytis Cinerea is a fungal disease affecting the zebra plant. In this disease, the white spots on the leaves gradually turn off white and eventually brown. The infection will weaken the plant and kill it.
Pruning solves the problem as it provides room for healthy airflow.
5.2 Powdery Mildews
The Powdery Mildews is also a type of fungal infection. It generally appears as a powdered layer on the stems and roots of the Zebra plant.
The most disheartening part is that the disease thrives in warm weather and high humidity, a prerequisite for proper growth and maintenance of the Zebra plant.
The infection absorbs the plant’s energy levels, making it more sensitive to diseases. Quick and moderate levels of fertilizers are required to cure this disease.
5.3 Phytophthora Rot
The Phytophthora Rot affects the stem and the roots. Once the infection has done with the roots, it inches ahead towards the stem and the leaves. The plant is eventually left with light-coloured leaves, which start dropping.
The disease weakens the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. The result is the plant won’t last long.
The most practical solution to this issue is to water your Zebra plant regularly and avoid excess water.
5.4 Pythium Root Rot
The Pythium Root Rot targets the roots of your Zebra plant. The roots change their colour to either brown or black. The colour depends upon how long the roots have been infected.
Once the roots die, the plant loses its water-absorbing capacity and ultimately fades away. The solution lies in growing plants in consistently moist soil and the pot having a proper drainage hole.
6. Conclusion
The unique yet appealing Zebra Plant needs proper care from its parent. However, the plant will not bother you once you are used to its daily routine.
Things like bright indirect light, consistently moist soil, high humidity, and adequate fertilization will make your Zebra plant happy.
Also, Zebra Plants are nontoxic to dogs and cats, which greatly relieves animal lovers. So you don’t have to worry about your pets getting infected anymore.
If you know how to care for a zebra plant and do it with all your mind and soul, the gorgeous house plant will shower the gift of blooming bright yellow flowers on you.
Last Updated on July 11, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty
