Zebra Plant or Aphelandra squarrosa
Family - Acanthaceae
It is really tricky to make Zebra plant flower. If you bought it blooming - it
will keep up the flower for many weeks, but most likely it won't flower again.
As far as I know, Zebra plant needs some kind of rest period at winter time to
form the buds for flowering. During such period it needs lower temperature
combined with bright light. In my zone indoors in a house it is close to
impossible to have such conditions. You might try he north-facing basement
window if your basement is cold enough. Or maybe the "three-season" verandah
with some artificial light to keep the plant from freezing. Anyway it is a
challenge and if you succeed, you might consider yourself a "thumb up indoor
gardener".
Other then that Aphelandra is quite easy to care for. Keep the soil moist at all
times, put the plant in a very bright spot, but away from direct sunlight.
One more point - Zebra plant likes high humidity. For best results mist it often
with room-temperatured water. I also give it a shower weekly: put it in a bath
turn on the light lukewarm shower. Tropical soil mix is good enough for
repotting aphelandras.
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