Calathea zebrina, also known as zebra plant, is a favorite among gardeners due to its stunning appearance. It has lush foliage and stunning ovate leaves at the end of slender stalks that are super attractive.
The smooth, velvety texture and eye-catching patterns of shades of green give it the look of the stripes of a zebra. The contrasting purple undersides of the leaves add more interest.
Calathea zebrina needs proper attention and care when it comes to growing it as a houseplant. Zebra plants love to grow indoors and will tolerate bright light and continue to grow healthy and robust with the right care.
Calathea zebrina or the zebra plant is from the family of Marantaceae. It is a popular indoor plant that grows tall and has specific care requirements. It is being sold as “prayer plant” at most garden stores. Sometimes, it is also called Aphelandra squarrosa.
The tropical plant is native to Brazil. It needs a warm and humid environment that helps the foliage grow into its best form.
Calathea zebrina, like the Calathea genus, has striking foliage which is its most prominent feature. The leaves are patterned and have a velvety texture. The hue of green creates an interesting contrast. Light green leaves with dark green stripes make it resemble stripes on a zebra.
On the other hand, the contrasting purple under leaves creates more value to the plant. Although the other side of the leaves is not always visible, younger upright leaves will show off the purple shade. Each leaf can grow bigger than 15 inches on a beautiful stalk that can grow up to 3.28 feet tall.
Calathea zebrina also produces purple flowers that will rarely grow indoors. Although they are not the main feature of the plant, it is pleasant to watch them bloom.
Calathea zebrina will grow well in a shaded warm spot in a greenhouse or outdoor garden. It will also love growing indoors in good light. A bright room is all it needs when it comes to its light requirement. Let us look at some facts about the Calathea zebrina plant.
Calathea Zebrina Facts:
Remember, the Calathea zebrina plant needs good care. The more you know about its need, the more rewarding your experience will be. We have compiled a detailed care guide for you to grow Calathea zebrina flawlessly.
Calathea zebrina needs rich well-drained soil. Peat moss is the best potting mix for your zebra plants. It holds moisture and also drains water well. You can improve the drainage by mixing 2 parts of peat moss with 1 part perlite.
If you want to buy a ready-made potting mixture then you can look for African violet potting mixture. Making your mixture of soil is more rewarding. Another method you can use is to add equal parts of garden soil, perlite or sand, with peat moss or coir. Isn’t it simple?
The pot must have good drainage holes. You can drill some extra holes if needed.
Calathea zebrina is a tropical plant and so it needs balanced light. Too much or too little light will both destroy the plant. The perfect spot for your Calathea zebrina plants is where it can get a bit of both bright and indirect light.
Look for a spot that gets filtered light, perhaps through a curtain. But keep in mind to shield the plant from direct strong light wherever you plant it. This is because direct light will scorch the leaves of Calathea zebrina plants and make the hues fade away.
Calathea zebrina needs plenty of water in the growing season. The moisture-loving plant grows beautifully in moist soil that also drains well. It must not sit in water, or the root rot will kill it.
Slow down watering in winters and let the soil dry between watering. The soil must be well-drained, and the pot must have drainage holes. Water must be at room temperature.
Remember that cold or saline water can make your plants sick. You can use distilled water from air conditioning or even rainwater. Calathea zebrina likes moist soil, but wet soil will encourage health issues with the plant. Creating a perfect soil mixture and maintaining a watering pattern will solve the problem and help the plant thrive.
Zebra plants thrive best at average room temperatures that range from 65 degrees Fahrenheit to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Consequently, avoid placing the plant in temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Another thing to be mindful of is to protect your Calathea zebrina from sudden temperature drops and cold drafts. You can protect your plant from drying and overheating by keeping it away from heating vents.
One of the essential tricks to care for your Calathea zebrina is to maintain its moisture levels. Many gardeners fail at growing Calathea zebrina only because they don’t get this right.
Calathea zebrina needs high humid conditions to grow. If the plant gets that, you will see the wonderfully healthy plant in a pot. In case you live in drier regions, here are a few things that you can do.
Calathea zebrina will not need plenty of fertilizer. Use the standard well-balanced liquid feed to treat your plants during the growing season. Zebra plants will enjoy weekly or bimonthly feed that has been diluted with water. Always fertilize your plants after watering them, and do not fertilize in winters.
Propagating Calathea zebrina is effortless. You can propagate the plant using leaf cuttings or through the baby plants that grow around the stems. The young plants are pulled gently apart and planted in new pots. Roots begin to grow in about four to six weeks. Before we share a detailed propagating guide, let us learn about its growing habits.
Calathea zebrina grows fast in the right kind of soil and perfect lighting conditions. For robust growth, lightly fertilize your plants weekly in the growing season. Calathea zebrina will grow fast but will not spread much in containers.
The plant can grow as tall as 3.28 feet or a little bigger, while leaves will grow as big as 15 inches or more. The stems clump together and interestingly thrive in small pots too.
Repot Calathea zebrina only when needed. It grows fast and you may have to change the pots each year. Repot your plants when the plant outgrows the container or when you want to multiply your plants. In both cases, remember the following points.
Calathea zebrina is easy to propagate. Always propagate your Calathea zebrina plants in the growing season which is between mid-spring to late fall. Propagation done during this time gives good results.
Have the following things ready before you begin repotting your plants:
Calathea zebrina propagates well by the division method. The newly formed plants at the base of the stems can be separated and replanted. Soon they grow into big plants. The roots are gently pulled apart to separate the plants. Here is a simple step-to-step guide for you to follow.
Pots can be plastic or terracotta containers with enough drainage holes. Keep the plants in warm, sheltered, and humid locations. New shoots and roots begin to grow in about a month.
Calathea zebrina seeds are also used for propagation. But it is a difficult method. In case you feel motivated to try, follow these simple steps.
Calathea zebrina can be pruned when the leaves of the stalk are damaged or infected. The healthy leaves and stems should not be pruned. Clean the leaves weekly and maintain their health. This way, you won’t need to prune.
Calathea zebrina comes with its set of diseases and problems that can be avoided if you know what is wrong with your plants. We have answered some most common problems that gardeners face.
Calathea zebrina leaves begin to droop when the temperatures are too cold or the growing conditions are too dry. Dry hot air may also cause dropping leaves of Calathea zebrina. It is a sign that your plant needs more moisture.
If the problem persists, it can kill the plant. Take action as soon as you see drooping leaves. If the temperatures are too cold then bring the plant into a warmer location. In case there is drought or hot weather, then use a humidifier, mister, or a shower to quickly treat your plant.
Calathea zebrina dies when it is ignored or placed under too much or too little light. Give it the right growing conditions by following the guide above. Use a well-drained soil mixture, filtered light, and good moisture for a robust growth
If you fail to take care of your plants then they will drop leaves, look dull, lose their hues, have weak roots, or scorched leaves. All the symptoms can kill the plant.
Calathea zebrina leaves turn yellow when they don’t get enough water. Make sure the soil is moistened in the growing season and not over-watered in winter. Use a self-watering container to help maintain the moisture. Having the right kind of potting mix also helps.
Calathea zebrina leaf curls when the plant is underwatered. Make sure the gap between your waterings is not long. Follow the above solution for resolving the problem.
Calathea zebrina stems look weak when they are over-watered during the cold months. Excess water in the roots will make the stems weak and soft. Water only when the soil dried in winters.
If the situation worsens, then the stems are removed to save the plant as well. The plant may also die if not treated.
Zebra plant leaves lose color and appear faded when they do not get the right amount of light. Too much and too little light can decolor the foliage. Direct exposure to sunlight will make it lose its beautiful pattern.
Consider relocating the plants for improved lighting conditions.
When Calathea zebrina is kept in extremely high humid conditions, it may develop patches of gray mold. To resolve the problem, remove the parts of the leaves that are infected. Make sure the plants are placed where there is good ventilation.
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about the zebra plants:
Calathea zebrina is generally pest-free, but if there is a pest attack, adopt organic or natural pest control methods. You can use neem oil or insecticidal spray to treat aphid, mealybug, scale, spiders, and mite attacks.
Calathea zebrina is nontoxic for pets like cats and dogs. Although it is safe for pets, the sap may irritate skin for people who have allergies.
Bathrooms may seem like an odd place to grow plants, but they can be ideal for growing Calathea zebrina. The moisture levels are high and if the lighting conditions are suitable, then go ahead!
Calathea zebrina can grow outside in the garden if you match its growing requirements to its ideal conditions. It needs filtered light, shelter from strong winds and extreme temperatures, and overwatering.
In USDA hardiness zones 11 to 12, you can easily find ideal growing conditions for your Calathea zebrina plants. Remember, the plant will still need a lot of care, and it will not be easily happy if you ignore it.
As an indoor plant, the zebra plants thrive for many years and are comparatively easy to maintain. They remain compact in pots but will expand and spread when planted in the ground.
Yes, It is okay to mist the plant. However, remember not to spray directly on the leaves. Instead, mist from the bottom to avoid getting too much moisture to new leaves.
There is no guarantee that you can save your plant. However, you can try moving the plant to a shadier location and remove the dead leaves. Check also for dying roots and get rid of them. Make sure that the pot provides enough air space and has proper drainage.
Stop fertilization at this point and only water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Lastly, try treating it with fungicide. If it works, you should be able to see results after a week.
Growing Calathea zebrina as a houseplant comes with its sets of requirements. It is a tricky plant to grow. By providing proper care, one can master the art of growing Calathea zebrina.
Here is what we have learned in this guide:
Calathea zebrina is an attractive plant that needs proper care. It is not easy to grow, but by following the tips and tricks above, one can master the art of growing their Calathea zebrina plants.
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