How to Grow and Care for Calathea Zebrina (Zebra Plant)

Calathea zebra is famous for its unique striped foliage, giving rise to the common name zebra plant. Like its popular relative, the prayer plant, the zebra plant’s leaves are bright green with dark green stripes. Foliage color isn’t the only thing these tropical houseplants have in common: both plants open or close their leaves at night. Calathea zebrina grows up to 3 feet tall, with leaves up to 2 feet long.

Calathea Zebrina Care

Here are the basic requirements for caring for zebra plants:

When growing this plant in a pot, choose loamy, well-drained soil.
Place the plant in a location that receives bright, indirect light.
Water regularly when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil begins to dry out.
Skip fertilizer if growth does not slow down.

Light
Calathea zebrina is native to South America and grows under the protection of large trees and other tropical plants, so it is accustomed to receiving filtered, dappled light. Therefore, do not place your zebra plant in direct sunlight as this may cause the leaves to burn. Outdoors, position it so it receives partial sunlight, ideally shaded or filtered by surrounding plants.

When growing your zebra plant indoors, choose a location near a bright window, but not where the plant will be exposed to direct sunlight. A shelf or small table is better suited for a zebra plant than a sunny windowsill.

Earth
Calathea zebrina requires loamy, moist, well-drained soil. It is important to find a balance between moisture and good drainage, as wet and heavy soil can lead to soggy roots and root rot. On the other hand, soil that dries out too quickly will not provide enough moisture. For best results, use a mixture of soil mix, perlite and peat moss.

Water
Zebra plants need regular watering. The frequency of watering depends on how quickly the soil begins to dry out. This depends on the season, as well as climate and humidity levels.

Typically, these plants need watering once a week during the growing season and less than once a week in the winter. The ideal way to check moisture content is to feel the soil. If the top inch or two starts to dry out, it’s time to water.

Temperature and humidity
Humidity is key to keeping zebra plants healthy. They require humidity above 50%, and ideally above 60%. When grown outdoors in tropical climates (USDA growing zones 10 through 11), this is easily achieved. For indoor zebra calathea plants, you may need a humidifier to increase the humidity in the air. Alternatively, you can place this plant on a gravel tray and water or mist the leaves several times a week.

Like other plants of the Calathea genus, zebra plants require warm temperatures for normal development. These plants grow best in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They should never be stored below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilizers
Most people do not need to fertilize zebra plants. In fact, over-fertilizing can easily burn this plant. If you have a particularly slow-growing or weak-looking plant, fertilize it during the growing season with a light, balanced formula diluted 1/4.

Reproduction of Calathea zebrina
Calathea zebra can be propagated by dividing the bush. If your plant has grown large enough to form individual rosettes of leaves at the base, now is the time to divide the plant. You’ll need a pot with drainage holes, well-drained soil, and scissors or a sharp knife. Then follow these instructions:

Fill the pot with moist, well-drained soil.
Carefully remove the zebra plant from its pot and carefully remove any excess dirt.
Separate the rosettes of leaves with a knife or scissors to cut through the root system if necessary.
Place each part in a separate pot so that the leaves are horizontal to the soil, completely cover the roots with soil and water the plant. Place them in an area with high humidity and bright, indirect light.

Planting and replanting Calathea Zebrina
Zebra plants grow slowly and only need to be repotted every two years. Once the plant is established and you see roots sticking out of the drainage hole, it is time to replant. Be sure to choose a container larger than two inches with plenty of drainage holes.

Gently tip the plant to the side and lift it out of the container. Place it in a new container and fill the excess space with new soil mixed with perlite and peat moss for drainage. Don’t forget to bury the roots at the level of the previous pot.

Common Problems with Calathea Zebrina
In the right conditions, zebras make hardy tropical houseplants. Problems can arise when maintenance errors occur. Below are some common problems.

The tips of the leaves are curved and brown.
This is a sign of lack of humidity or lack of water. If the leaves begin to curl and turn brown, you will need to increase the humidity by placing a humidifier nearby, placing the pot on a tray of water and gravel, or misting the leaves regularly.

If the plant needs to dry out, water deeply until the soil is completely moist. Allow excess water to drain. You can use sterile scissors to trim away the brown edges and improve the appearance.

The tree trunk drooped and became soft
If your zebra plant’s foliage begins to droop a lot or the stem becomes limp, even mushy, this is a sign of overwatering. If allowed to progress, this condition can quickly develop into root rot. You must act quickly to stop the spread of root rot and save the tree.