Aphelandra squarrosa

Zebra Plant, Saffron Spike Zebra

Moderate careTerrestrialNon-toxic30–180 cm

A compact tropical shrub from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, with dark green leaves marked by bold white veining and tall spikes of bright yellow bracts. It needs consistently high humidity and moist soil — conditions a closed terrarium provides naturally. Growth is slow and compact, though it benefits from pruning after flowering.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Zebra Plant image

Care

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

High (60–80%)(preferred)Very high (80%+)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
18°C – 25°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat mossLoamy

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

5 – 6

Appearance

Growth habit

UprightBushy

Leaf shape

Oval

Leaf texture

Glossy

Distribution

Propagation

Take 8–10 cm stem tip cuttings, dip in rooting hormone, and plant in a moist peat/perlite mix. Keep conditions bright and warm, around 18°C, with moist soil. Rooting takes 4–6 weeks. Spring and early summer cuttings tend to do best.