Aphelandra squarrosa (zebra plant)

Japanese name: アフェランドラ スクアロサ
Scientific name: Aphelandra squarrosa

[Overview]
An evergreen shrub growing to about 2 m tall.
The leaves are simple and opposite, ovate to elliptic, about 25–30 cm long.
They are glossy dark green with white markings along the veins.
The leaf stalks are short.
It flowers all year round if the temperature is 18°C or higher and there is enough sunlight.
At the stem tips, a four-angled spike about 20 cm long stands upright.
The inflorescence bears overlapping yellow bracts with pointed tips.
The flowers are yellow, two-lipped, about 4 cm long, and protrude from the bracts, blooming from the base of the inflorescence upward.
The fruit is a capsule.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by cuttings, which root easily at 20°C or higher.
The optimum growing temperature is 20–25°C.
It is safest to keep it at 10°C or higher over winter, so bring it indoors to a sunny spot in winter.
It prefers fertile soil that is well drained and retains water well.
It is best placed in full sun from autumn to spring and in partial shade in summer.
From spring to autumn, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries; in winter, keep it on the dry side.
Mist the leaves with a sprayer throughout the year.
From spring to autumn, apply slow-release fertilizer placed on the soil.
When flowering is over, cut off the flower spike.
Pests and diseases include leaf spot, blight, spider mites, scale insects and aphids.

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