Zebra Plant

Calathea Zebrina     Origin: Brazil

Large oval leaves with broad, feathery stripes give the Zebra Plant its stately appearance. Growing taller than most other Calatheas, a healthy Zebra Plant can make an excellent statement piece—lending a subtly tropical feel to its surroundings.

Common Issues

Leaf browning: Most likely caused by excessively low humidity. Brown or dead portions of leaves can be removed with clean scissors.
Leaf curling: Too little water can cause mature leaves to curl and new leaves to become stunted.
Pale new growth: Likely due to insufficient light. Try moving your Calathea to a brighter location.
Drooping leaves: This could be due to a number of different factors including cold temperatures or excessively wet soil, leading to root rot.
Crispy edges: Mineral build-up from over-fertilizing can lead to dark, crispy edges.

Light: Bright, indirect light is best, so take advantage of any southern or western exposures in the home. Direct sun will burn their thin leaves if exposed for more than an hour or two at a time.

Water: While these plants love moist, well drained soil, it is best to allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings when keeping them indoors. Excess moisture can quickly lead to root rot.

Humidity: This is one of the key components to caring for Calatheas. To preserve their lush, patterned foliage, humidity levels need to remain high.

Growth: You can expect your Zebra Plant to stay around 2-feet tall. These clumping tropical perennials produce tall, thin stems of broad alternating leaves with light green patterning, occasionally ending in a small white pine cone-like inflorescence.

Soil: A general potting mix will suffice. If you are a heavy-handed waterer, consider adding extra perlite or a fine bark mix to your peat-based soil to increase drainage. We recommend a slow release fertilizer every six months.

Temperature: These plants are from low-land tropical climates and prefer temperatures between 65-85°F.

Repotting: Calathea are slow-growing and shouldn't need repotting more than every 2-3 years. It is good practice to remove as much of the old soil as possible from the root mass to help prevent the build up of bacteria or fungi.

Extra TLC: Your Zebra Plant will appreciate a humidifier, the occasional pebble tray, or being grouped with other plants.