Calathea Zebrina 200mm

$25.00

🌿 Calathea zebrina

Common Name: Zebra Plant (not to be confused with Aphelandra squarrosa)
Family: Marantaceae (Prayer Plant family)
Origin: Native to southeastern Brazil

đź“Ź Physical Description

  • Growth Habit:
    A clump-forming, upright tropical perennial reaching 60–90 cm tall (2–3 feet) indoors, with an equally wide spread over time.

  • Leaves:
    Large, oval to lance-shaped leaves with soft, velvety texture.
    The leaf blades are light green with bold, dark green stripes running parallel along the veins—mimicking a zebra’s pattern.
    The undersides are a rich purple-burgundy, and leaves rise from long, purple petioles.

  • Movement:
    Like other Calatheas, it exhibits nyctinasty (daily leaf movement):
    Leaves raise in the evening and lower during the day, creating a dynamic, living display.

🌸 Flowers

  • Appearance:
    Rare indoors. If they do appear, the flowers are small, purplish-white, and grow on short stalks near the base.
    The plant is grown mainly for its stunning foliage.

🌱 Care and Cultivation

  • Light:
    Prefers bright, indirect light.
    Tolerates medium light, but avoid direct sun, which will fade patterns and burn leaves.

  • Watering:
    Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
    Water when the top 2–3 cm (1 inch) of soil is dry.
    Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater—Calatheas are sensitive to fluoride and salts in tap water.

  • Humidity:
    Requires high humidity (60–80%) to thrive.
    Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or grouped with other plants. Use a humidifier or pebble tray if needed.

  • Soil:
    Needs light, well-draining, moisture-retentive soil.
    A blend of indoor potting mix + perlite + coco coir is ideal.

  • Temperature:
    Best in 18–26°C (65–80°F).
    Avoid cold drafts and temps below 15°C (59°F).

  • Feeding:
    Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.

  • Propagation:
    Best propagated by division during repotting in spring.

âś… Quick Care Summary

RequirementDetailsLightBright, indirect (no direct sun)WaterKeep soil moist; avoid soggy rootsHumidityHigh (60–80%)SoilLight, airy, moisture-retentiveTemperature18–26°C; no cold draftsFeedingMonthly during growing seasonPropagationBy division during repotting

âś… Perfect For:

  • Indoor tropical feature plant

  • Decorative pots in well-lit rooms

  • Pet-friendly homes (Calatheas are non-toxic)

  • Bathrooms, kitchens, or humid rooms

Fun Fact:

The velvet texture and intense pattern of Calathea zebrina make it one of the most photogenic houseplants—popular with plant stylists and collectors alike!

🌿 Calathea zebrina

Common Name: Zebra Plant (not to be confused with Aphelandra squarrosa)
Family: Marantaceae (Prayer Plant family)
Origin: Native to southeastern Brazil

đź“Ź Physical Description

  • Growth Habit:
    A clump-forming, upright tropical perennial reaching 60–90 cm tall (2–3 feet) indoors, with an equally wide spread over time.

  • Leaves:
    Large, oval to lance-shaped leaves with soft, velvety texture.
    The leaf blades are light green with bold, dark green stripes running parallel along the veins—mimicking a zebra’s pattern.
    The undersides are a rich purple-burgundy, and leaves rise from long, purple petioles.

  • Movement:
    Like other Calatheas, it exhibits nyctinasty (daily leaf movement):
    Leaves raise in the evening and lower during the day, creating a dynamic, living display.

🌸 Flowers

  • Appearance:
    Rare indoors. If they do appear, the flowers are small, purplish-white, and grow on short stalks near the base.
    The plant is grown mainly for its stunning foliage.

🌱 Care and Cultivation

  • Light:
    Prefers bright, indirect light.
    Tolerates medium light, but avoid direct sun, which will fade patterns and burn leaves.

  • Watering:
    Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy.
    Water when the top 2–3 cm (1 inch) of soil is dry.
    Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater—Calatheas are sensitive to fluoride and salts in tap water.

  • Humidity:
    Requires high humidity (60–80%) to thrive.
    Ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or grouped with other plants. Use a humidifier or pebble tray if needed.

  • Soil:
    Needs light, well-draining, moisture-retentive soil.
    A blend of indoor potting mix + perlite + coco coir is ideal.

  • Temperature:
    Best in 18–26°C (65–80°F).
    Avoid cold drafts and temps below 15°C (59°F).

  • Feeding:
    Feed every 4–6 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.

  • Propagation:
    Best propagated by division during repotting in spring.

âś… Quick Care Summary

RequirementDetailsLightBright, indirect (no direct sun)WaterKeep soil moist; avoid soggy rootsHumidityHigh (60–80%)SoilLight, airy, moisture-retentiveTemperature18–26°C; no cold draftsFeedingMonthly during growing seasonPropagationBy division during repotting

âś… Perfect For:

  • Indoor tropical feature plant

  • Decorative pots in well-lit rooms

  • Pet-friendly homes (Calatheas are non-toxic)

  • Bathrooms, kitchens, or humid rooms

Fun Fact:

The velvet texture and intense pattern of Calathea zebrina make it one of the most photogenic houseplants—popular with plant stylists and collectors alike!