Zebra plant

Description

Calathea zebrina, the zebra plant, is a species of plant in the family Marantaceae, native to southeastern Brazil. Under the synonym Goeppertia zebrina this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. It is an evergreen perennial growing to 1 m (3 ft 3 in). The long stalks to 30 cm (12 in) carry elliptical leaves 45 cm (18 in) or more long. The leaves are dark green above, dark red below, the spines, veins and margins etched in lime green. It is tender, with a minimum temperature of 16 °C (61 °F) required, and in temperate areas is cultivated indoors as a houseplant. Normal room temperature, that is around 20°C, is a suitable temperature for this plant all year round. It prefers a brightly-lit spot, but does not tolerate direct sun. The soil should be kept moist throughout the summer, when it cannot tolerate drought. Nutrition can be given every other week during the growing season from spring to fall, but no supplement during the winter. To give the blades a pleasant humidity, it can be showered with lukewarm water as often as possible. Replanting takes place when needed during the spring.