A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2003 Zebra plant (Aphelandra) help needed

Hi,

This house plant has gone very tall and has no leaves at the bottom and just has them at the the top.

It is fed on a regular basis, but the leaves are falling of and many have brown dead zones on them.

Can you please advise.

Thanks

Aphelandra is one tough plant to keep looking good for more than a year. In fact, it is often kept as a flowering plant that is discarded after it deteriorates.

It has very strict requirements that are hard to meet in the average home. They are: Lots of bright indirect light, but protection from direct sun; Cool temps in the low 60's in winter and below 75 in summer; Protection from cool drafts; High humidity; Porous potting mix; Moderately potbound; Soil that is allowed to dry in the top inch, but no more; Reduced temperature and water in winter; Constant vigilance for spider mites and aphids.

These plants do not age very well because they drop lower leaves so readily. If you are determined to keep it going, then it may be best to cut off the top portion and root it in moist soil and place it inside a plastic humidity tent. Also, try to provide a stable environment by moving or repotting it as little as possible.