The Zebra Plant, also known as Calathea Zebrina, is a popular houseplant for its beautiful foliage and vibrant colours. Native to the tropical regions of South America, this plant features broad green leaves with yellow stripes that look like zebra stripes.
It is an ideal choice for those looking to add some colour to their home décor or to bring a bit of nature indoors. Aside from its striking aesthetic, the Zebra Plant is also easy to care for and requires little maintenance.
It grows best in medium light and moist soil conditions; however, it should be kept away from direct sunlight as it can easily get sunburned. This plant prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and needs regular misting or humidifier if kept indoors. With proper care, it can grow up to 30 cm in height making it an eye-catching addition to any room!.
Zebra Plant at a glance
| Common Name | Zebra Plant |
| Scientific Name | Calathea Zebrina |
| Growth Rate | Slow |
| Full maturity | 2-3 years |
| Height (max) | 60 cm |
| Width (max) | 60 cm |
| Pet safe? | Yes |
| Sunlight | Bright, indirect sunlight |
| Soil Ph | 5.6–6.0 (slightly acidic) |
| Native to | South Africa |
Growing Zebra Plant indoors in Australia
Growing indoors in Australia is becoming increasingly popular, and with the right plants, even the most novice home gardener can feel a sense of accomplishment. One of the best plants to consider growing indoors is the Zebra Plant or Calathea Zebrina.
With its striking foliage and vibrant colours, it adds both texture and beauty to any home space. The native habitat for this species of plant is South America but over time it has become a popular choice for homes in Australia due to its ability to thrive indoors.
It’s also known for being easy to care for as long as one follows some general guidelines such as keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources, and ensuring that it has access to plenty of humidity by misting regularly with water..
Quick care tips
When it comes to vegetation, the Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina) is an easy choice for anyone looking for a bright, easy-care tropical houseplant. Native to the tropical rainforests of South and Central America, these low-maintenance plants have gained popularity due to their striking foliage and wide range of colours.
With proper care, this exotic plant can thrive in any home or office environment. Here are some quick tips for keeping your Zebra Plant healthy and happy.
First off, make sure your Zebra Plant is getting enough light but not direct sun. Place it in a spot that gets indirect sunlight throughout the day or near a window with filtered light coming through—the leaves will thank you!.
Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina) (Source)
Caring for your Zebra Plant
Plant care is an essential part of successful gardening, and the zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina) is no exception. This exotic species of Calathea features striking foliage, with dark green leaves striped with yellow-green bands, making it a beautiful addition to any home.
With proper care and maintenance, the zebra plant can thrive in its indoor environment for many years. When caring for this tropical houseplant, it should be placed in a warm spot away from drafty areas or direct sunlight.
The soil should be kept moist but not overly wet as this could cause root rot or other issues. fertiliser can be applied during the growing season every two weeks to help keep the plant healthy and vibrant. Additionally, regular misting of the leaves will help increase humidity levels and prevent brown spots from forming on the foliage.
Light
Light is an essential element for healthy plant growth, and the zebra plant is no exception. The zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina) is a unique species of flowering tropical plant native to South America.
Its name comes from its stunning foliage that sports alternating dark green stripes on a lighter green backdrop. It’s important for this beauty to be exposed to adequate amounts of light, as it needs an environment that provides bright but indirect sunlight in order to thrive.
The zebra plant should never be placed in an area with direct sunlight, as even a few hours of intense exposure can permanently damage the leaves. The best environment for the zebra plant is one with bright light levels and semi-consistent temperatures between 18-24 degrees Celcius during daylight hours and around 5 degrees cooler at night time.
Water
Water is an important factor when it comes to growing a healthy zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina). This tropical species of plant requires consistent hydration and the right amount of humidity in order to thrive.
Knowing how much water your zebra plant needs is key to keeping it healthy and vibrant in appearance. When watering your zebra plant, make sure you don’t overwater or underwater it.
Too much water can lead to root rot while too little can result in wilting leaves and yellowing foliage. A good rule of thumb is to always check the soil before watering your zebra plant, as this will give you an idea if it needs more moisture or not. When the top 2–3 cm of soil feels dry, that’s when you know it’s time for another drink!.
Fertiliser
Fertiliser is an essential part of caring for any plant, including the popular Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina). Proper fertilisation will help the Zebra Plant to remain healthy and encourage its growth.
This article will discuss the important role that fertiliser plays in growing a strong and vibrant Zebra Plant. fertilising should be done with specific care as too much or too little fertiliser can have an adverse effect on the plant’s health.
When properly applied, fertiliser provides essential nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and other micronutrients which are necessary for proper growth and development of Zebra Plants. These nutrients can be found naturally in soil but may need to be supplemented if there is not enough present.
Temperature
Temperature is a key factor to consider when growing the beautiful zebra plant (Calathea zebrina). This tropical houseplant thrives in warm, humid climates, with temperatures between 18-24°C.
The ideal humidity level should be above 60%, as this will help the plant remain healthy and vibrant. During winter months, temperatures can drop slightly but make sure that your home never falls below 15°C as this will inhibit growth of the plant.
In order to keep your Calathea zebrina thriving, it is important to stabilize the temperature in its environment. To achieve this, you may want to consider investing in a room thermometer or a humidifier which will ensure consistent conditions for your zebra plant. Additionally, placement near windows should be avoided if possible as sudden changes in temperature can damage the foliage of your plant.
Humidity
Humidity is a key factor when it comes to growing zebra plants. Calathea zebrina, also known as the zebra plant, is a tropical evergreen native to the rain forests of Brazil and prefers a humid environment.
It’s ideal humidity level should be between 60-80% and if not maintained in that range, its leaves can become dry or crispy. To ensure your zebra plant is thriving in an optimal environment, there are various ways you can increase its humidity levels.
One way to boost the moisture in your home for your zebra plants is by using a humidifier. Additionally, setting up trays filled with pebbles and water around your plant can help maintain the desired humidity level. The evaporation of water from the tray will create more moisture for your plant without having any direct contact with it like with misting.
Learn more about how humidity can affect indoor plants.
Flowering
Flowering is a key part of the life cycle for plants, and the colourful blooms often make them more attractive. Growing zebra plant (Calathea zebrina) is no exception; however, this unique perennial does not produce flowers as you may expect.
Instead, its foliage provides an elegant display with zebra-like stripes in shades of green. Though it doesn’t blossom like other flowering plants, Calathea zebrina will still brighten up any home or garden when properly cared for.
With its vibrant foliage and easy maintenance needs, it’s a favourite among houseplant enthusiasts looking to add texture and colour to their space. Plus, since it can grow up to 1 metre tall and wide, this bushy plant makes a striking statement piece indoors or outdoors.
Pests
Pests can be a major problem when it comes to caring for your Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina). These tropical plants may look beautiful, but if not properly cared for and monitored, they can quickly become infested with annoying little pests.
To ensure that your Zebra Plant remains healthy and vibrant, it is important to know what types of pests could potentially be lurking in the leaves or soil. First and foremost, watch out for mealybugs.
Mealybugs are tiny white creatures that like to hide in between leaf veins or along the stems of houseplants. They feed off of plant sap so they can cause damage by sucking away nutrients from the plant’s foliage. If you find an infestation of mealybugs on your Zebra Plant, use a cotton swab soaked in rubbing alcohol to remove them immediately.
Find out more about common indoor plant pests in Australia.
Diseases
Diseases can be a major issue for houseplants, and the zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina) is no exception. This tropical plant requires high humidity and bright, direct light to stay healthy, so it’s important to take the proper measures to keep it in optimal condition.
Common diseases that may affect the zebra plant include root rot, fungal leaf spot, powdery mildew and bacterial blight. It is critical to recognize these issues as soon as possible in order to halt their spread throughout the plant.
Root rot is caused by overwatering or poor drainage of the soil which results in water-logged roots. Signs of this disease include wilting leaves, yellowing foliage and stunted growth due to a lack of nutrients reaching the rest of the plant.
Soil
Soil is an essential part of growing the zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina). It’s important for gardeners to select the right soil for optimal growth and health.
The ideal soil should have a combination of organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, with a well-draining structure. This will help ensure that the plant has proper drainage and access to necessary nutrients.
When selecting soil for your zebra plant, it’s best to avoid using store-bought potting mixes due to their low nutrition content. Instead, create your own mixture of two parts loam, one part perlite or vermiculite, one part peat moss and some slow-release fertiliser pellets. This blend provides a good balance between water retention and air circulation while also providing necessary nutrients for healthy growth.
Learn how to lower your soil PH.
Pot size
Pot Size is an important factor to consider when growing a Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina). Well grown plants can reach up to 2.
1.5 metres tall and wide, so it’s important to use a pot that is large enough for the plant’s needs. Generally speaking, you should use a pot that is at least twice the size of the root ball of your Zebra Plant.
This will give it enough room to send out its roots and grow as intended. Additionally, make sure you select a pot with drainage holes at the bottom so any excess water can escape quickly which will help prevent root rot from occurring. A terracotta or ceramic pot are both excellent options for a Zebra Plant as they provide good breathability and drainage while also helping keep soil temperatures regulated throughout the year.
Pruning your Zebra Plant
Pruning is an important part of caring for a zebra plant (Calathea Zebrina). Pruning helps maintain the health and vigor of the plant, as well as helping to keep it looking its best.
Regular pruning will encourage new growth in your zebra plant, so that it can reach its full potential. To properly care for your zebra plant, you should trim off any dead or damaged leaves on a regular basis.
You should also remove any stems that are crossing over each other or not growing in the right direction. When it comes to the overall shape of your zebra plant, you can use hand pruners or shears to cut off any excess foliage and give it a more even look. Doing this will help create a fuller and more attractive looking Zebra Plant.
Propagating your Zebra Plant
Propagation is a great way to increase the number of plants in your garden without having to buy more. Zebra Plant (Calathea Zebrina) is one of the easiest plants to propagate, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to expand their collection.
Propagation involves taking a part of the original plant and creating a new one from it, either through division or by using cuttings. Here’s how you can propagate your own Zebra Plant at home.
When propagating by division, you should begin by carefully removing the plant from its pot so that you can access its root system. If there are multiple stems growing together, gently separate them into manageable chunks before replanting each piece into individual pots filled with moist soil or compost.
Is Zebra Plant poisonous?
Zebra plants are beautiful, lush tropical houseplants that can be found in many homes. But before you decide to add one of these stunning plants to your home, it is important to know that they are considered toxic and poisonous.
All parts of the Calathea zebrina plant can cause irritation or discomfort if ingested or touched by humans or animals. Symptoms may include skin rashes and burning sensations in the throat and mouth.
Therefore, it is important to keep this plant out of reach from children and pets. Besides being poisonous, zebra plants also require a semi-humid environment with high levels of indirect sunlight for proper growth.
Featured Image: Source
