Zebra striped leaves (Aphelandra)

Member Name: mumsymary

Product:	Aphelandra
Date:	15/02/08 (147 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Nice plant

Disadvantages: not many

You may know the Aphelandra squarrosa plant as the zebra plant. The zebra plant is an exotic house plant. There several other plants of the Aphelandra species that is similar.

The Aphelandra is a perennial It is native of Brazil, so will not live comfortably outside in our country. However it will grow as a house or greenhouse/conservatory plant. In its native land this plant will grow top 6 feet tall; however as a UK houseplant you are more likely to get it to grow anything like as tall. The Aphelandra is a perennial.

The Zebra plant is so named because of its leaves. The leaves large they are a dark shiny green and they have creamy stripes along the leaf veins. The leaves grow opposite each other on the stem.
At the top of the main stem there grows a flower this flower is a bright yellow. The flower is grown in a spike form.

Unless you live in Brazil grow this houseplant in potting compost and keep moist and warm 18C-23C in a well drained pot.

I think these plants are toxic so keep pets and children away from them.
I found some online to buy at £4.99 from
http://the-plant-directory.co.uk/aphelandra-zebra- plant-p-1783.html

Summary: A plant from Brazil grown here as a houseplant