Aphelandra - home care, the importance of a houseplant in the home

Flowers

Tropical plants have become very popular in horticulture, grown in greenhouses and displayed at exhibitions. Many exotic plants have little ornamental value, but there are some striking specimens. Aphelandra is prized not only for its beauty during flowering; its foliage will brighten a room at any time of year.

To grow a healthy tropical plant at home, as pictured below, it's important to provide proper care and a microclimate as close as possible to the aphelandra's natural environment. Its decorative appeal depends on the growing conditions, which are very demanding for rainforest dwellers.

General characteristics of the plant and species diversity

Aphelandra is a perennial shrub in the Acanthaceae family. It is native to the humid, warm tropical forests of South America. In the wild, it can reach two meters in height and width. However, indoor plants of this species grow to a maximum of one meter. Its appearance is quite distinctive: large leaves with a pointed tip have a smooth, glossy texture and a contrasting light pattern on a dark green leaf.

This characteristic has earned the plant the nickname "zebra plant." It is considered both a foliage and flowering plant. It blooms in spike-shaped inflorescences up to twice a year with proper care.

General characteristics of the species

This tropical genus has over 170 members, but only a very small number are domesticated. Varieties of the Acanthaceae family are easily recognizable, regardless of cultivar, as they share common characteristics within the species:

an erect stem, which in some species may have a reddish color or become woody with age;
corrugated striped fleshy leaf, wide, lanceolate;
small flowers and bright spike-shaped bracts in shades of orange, yellow or red;
Not all varieties can be made to bear fruit, but all varieties die after this, so when the flowers begin to fade, they are immediately cut off.

Protruding Aphelandra

It is the most common variety grown indoors due to its tolerance of lower temperatures compared to other species. Aphelandra squarrosa is native to Mexico. The flower can reach up to one and a half meters in the wild, but indoors it grows no more than 50-70 cm.

The stem is bare, sturdy, and has a reddish tint. The leaf blade is wide, dark green, glossy, and bordered in white. The reverse side of the leaf is lighter, making the pattern less noticeable. Flowering occurs from June to November, with a two-lipped, tubular yellow flower opening. After the bud fades, a small fruit (up to 0.5 cm) appears, shaped like a capsule containing seeds.

This species includes the following varieties:

Dania – has bright white veins on the leaves and variegated inflorescences.
Dania
Louisae is distinguished by its reddish stem and wide, veined leaves.
Louisae
Leopoldi differs from other varieties by its orange flower.
Leopoldi

Other varieties

Less popular, but no less attractive are the following varieties:

Squarrosa has large leaves (up to 30 cm) with prominent silvery-green veins. The buds are bright scarlet or orange. However, it doesn't bloom very often. Flowering depends directly on long-lasting sunlight.
Squarrosa
Golden (Orange) – a shrub with woody, reddish shoots. The leaves are oval, smooth, green with a bronze tint, and about 25 cm long. The flowers grow up to 15 cm long and are orange, but the buds don't last long, no more than 14 days.
Golden Aphelandra
Retzlya is a variety of the Aurantiaca cultivar. It has large, silvery-white leaves. It blooms for no more than a week with orange-red flowers. Its distinguishing feature is its easy fruiting, which can be used for seed collection and further propagation.
Retzl

Caring for Aphelandra at Home: Secrets and Difficulties

The zebra plant is a common sight at many flower shows. Its unique, memorable appearance attracts flower lovers eager to decorate their homes with such an unusual specimen. However, inexperienced gardeners often encounter care issues after purchasing it, which can affect the appearance of the indoor plant.

Lighting

It's important to provide bright light, but avoid direct sunlight. For comfortable growth, place the pot on the west or east side of the room. Bright, direct light will cause leaf burn, so when moving the pot outdoors in the summer, place it in dappled shade.

During winter, daylight hours should be at least 8 hours, which is impossible to achieve naturally. In this case, the correct solution is to use grow lights to provide the required amount of light. Supplemental lighting is especially important during cloudy or rainy weather.

Attention!

Insufficient lighting will affect flowering and the decorative quality of the leaves; they will lose their color saturation and become elongated.

Temperature and humidity

The plant loves heat. Its comfortable temperature range is 22-23°C. The maximum temperature it can tolerate without deteriorating is 27°C, but only with good moisture. In winter, temperatures can drop to 15°C. The plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 13°C for up to a week.

Humidity should be high, as in natural growing conditions. This is especially important in winter due to heating appliances and in summer due to hot days and air conditioning. Humidity can be increased by installing a humidifier, decorative fountains, or simply containers of water.

Watering and fertilizing

Water regularly and generously, using warm, soft water. In summer and spring, don't wait until the top layer of soil dries out. However, make sure water doesn't stagnate in the tray. In winter and fall, water less frequently, and wait until the top layer of soil dries out slightly. However, too-dry soil will cause the plant to wilt quickly.

Use products designed for flowering houseplants, but reduce the dosage by half. In winter, once a month is sufficient, provided all other conditions, especially lighting, are met.

Fertilizers are applied to the soil once every two weeks.

Care during the flowering period

In an apartment, aphelandra blooms from March to November, the exact period depending on the species. Flowering lasts from two weeks to two months. Drying buds should be removed immediately, as fruiting will result in the death of the flower.

Reduce watering, but don't let the soil dry out. It's important that the plant receives enough light during this period. Intensity is more important than duration. During the active flowering period, ensure the room temperature doesn't rise above 25°C. Regular misting is also necessary, but avoid getting the flowers wet.

Pruning and pinching

Aphelandra grows quite quickly. To maintain a beautiful and compact shape, pinch the flower's growth cone. To rejuvenate a mature plant, pruning is used. This should only be done after removing dried, faded buds. It's important to prune correctly to ensure the bush retains its decorative appeal and instead rejuvenates. Prepare sharp pruning shears and cut all shoots, measuring them so that the remaining shoots in the pot are approximately 25 cm tall.

Proper care after cutting the shoots promotes rapid plant recovery. Create a greenhouse (plastic sheeting is suitable for covering) that is well-ventilated. It's also important to mist the shoots daily.

Preparing for winter

In an apartment, the dormant period for Aphelandra begins immediately after flowering and is induced artificially. The pot is moved to a cool, draft-free location, and the temperature is maintained at around 16 degrees Celsius.

Remember!

It's important to provide plenty of light during this period. This can be achieved with lamps, which should be supplemented with light to ensure a total of at least 8, and preferably 10, hours of daylight.

Watering is reduced and only done when the top layer of soil has dried out. Irrigation is also required, but in smaller quantities. Fertilizing during the dormant period is not recommended.

Diseases and pests

The plant is affected by the following pests:

Scale insects. During the initial infestation, they are invisible; later, they become noticeable as brown plaques on the leaves and trunk. Leaves curl and fall off. Before chemical treatment, mechanical cleaning with a soft cloth is necessary. Several interval treatments may be necessary, as the pest eggs are found in the soil.
Scale insect
Mealybugs. Easily identified by the white, cottony coating. They can be controlled with insecticides, but first wash the plant with soapy water.
Aphids. Insects may be seen on the flower, and the leaves may become deformed and sticky to the touch. Treat with aphid control products or herbal or garlic infusions.

Root rot can also affect indoor exotic plants. It's caused by excessive soil moisture or stagnant water in the plant's tray. Treatment involves removing the rotted roots and replanting them in new soil with good drainage.

Reproduction

The flower is propagated by seeds and cuttings:

To propagate from seed, collect seeds from a fruiting plant and sow them directly into a prepared substrate made from a mixture of one part sand and four parts leaf mold. A greenhouse should be created and maintained at a temperature of at least 25°C. Ventilate the greenhouse daily. Only when the seedlings are sufficiently strong should they be transplanted into pots.
Aphelandra seeds
Cuttings are a more common method, as they don't result in the death of the mother plant. The shoots are cut in the spring; they should be about 15 cm long and have two leaves. The cuttings are treated with rooting agents and placed in moist soil. This method also requires a greenhouse, maintaining a constant temperature and providing diffused light. Rooting takes up to two months, after which the shoots are transplanted into a permanent pot.
Propagation by cuttings

Repotting a houseplant

Young plants are repotted annually in the spring, while mature plants are repotted every couple of years. Choose light, breathable soil. Before planting, disinfect it with steam, boiling water, or baking it in the oven.

The transplant is carried out according to the following algorithm:

Carefully remove the plant from the old pot, inspect the roots for rot, and trim off any damaged areas with a sharp knife. Treat the cut areas with charcoal powder;
Fill ¼ of the pot with drainage, then 4 cm of soil;
the plant is positioned so that the roots are not bent too much, and carefully covered with the mixture, completely covering the roots with soil;
Mulch the soil surface with expanded clay or pebbles, water with warm, settled water.

The meaning of the aphelandra flower in the home

When choosing greenery to decorate your home, it's important to know the meaning of the flower, as it may be detrimental to the energy of your home or even poisonous. According to Feng Shui, the plant variety isn't as important as its condition and the personal emotions it evokes. For example, it's believed that sick, wilting flowers bring destructive energy into the home and can cause illness, arguments, and financial losses, so careful attention should be paid to the plant's health.

Frequently asked questions about growing

How to prune without damaging the flower?

The procedure is performed after flowering has finished. The stems are cut back to a length that leaves at least 25 cm of plant in the pot. The plant is then placed under plastic film, where careful care and daily watering are required.

Leaves started to fall in winter, what is the reason?

There could be several reasons: low air temperatures or drafts, dry air with low humidity, or insufficient fertilizer application. Any of these factors will cause leaf drop.

Leaves have gradually become dry and dark at the edges? What should I do?

The most common cause of this phenomenon is insufficient humidity. To eliminate this, regularly mist the crown, place the pot on a tray filled with wet pebbles, or use other methods to increase indoor humidity.

Can you wash a flower in the shower?

Yes, the plant tolerates showering well, but you should protect the soil with plastic wrap to prevent it from washing away, and use soft, warm water. If your shower doesn't have a filter, it's best to limit yourself to frequent misting and wiping the leaves with a damp sponge.

Acquiring a colorful tropical plant for your home has become very easy, as many varieties are suitable for growing indoors. The zebra plant will decorate any interior, both in bloom and with its variegated leaves. However, before purchasing, it's important to prepare the conditions so that this unusual plant feels comfortable and delights not only with its blooms but also with its bright, lush foliage, the decorative effect of which depends on lighting and humidity.