Aphelandra squarrosa

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zebra plant

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Other common names

saffron spike

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants
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A compact, tender evergreen shrub about 1.5-2m tall, with stout stems and dark green leaves to 30cm long, with white, silver or yellow veins and midribs. Terminal spikes to 20cm long of waxy yellow flowers and maroon tinted yellow bracts are produced sporadically throughout the year

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Acanthaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Aphelandra are evergreen shrubs with opposite, simple, entire leaves, often attractively veined or patterned with silver, and dense terminal spikes of tubular, 2-lipped flowers with colourful bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Brazil

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free houseplant compost with added perlite, in bright, indirect light. Water freely and apply a general liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks in summer and monthly in winter. Reduce watering in winter. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate after flowering by cutting back the main stem to a stong pair of leaves to encourage side shoots. When these are 8-10cm (3-4in) long, detach and root

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Houseplants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

After flowering, cut back the main stems to a strong pair of leaves to encourage side shoots

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and mealybugs

Diseases

Generally disease-free