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Cryptanthus zonatus

Phonetic Spelling
krip-TAN-thus zo-NAH-tus
Description

Zebra Plant is a subtropical perennial herb in the pineapple family that is grown as a house plant in NC. It needs indirect light, as too much sunlight will bleach the showy leaves. It forms a rosette of mid-green leaves with irregular whitish cross bands. Occasionally, it produces a succession of white star-like blooms from the center of the plant. 

Provide it with bright indirect light for the best leaf color. For potting, use a mixture with good drainage. Warmth and humidity are essential and regular misting is very beneficial. Give it a warm draft-free area, humidity and indirect light and it will happily grow for you.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaves are prostrate, wavy, toothed and banded
  • Flowers are sessile

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems; Mealybugs and scale are occasional problems.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Zebrina'
    Deep burgundy or nearly black leaves with irregular white cross bands
'Zebrina'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#showy leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#groundcover#fantz#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Zebrina'
    Deep burgundy or nearly black leaves with irregular white cross bands
'Zebrina'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#white flowers#showy leaves#interiorscape#winter interest#groundcover#fantz#humidity tolerant#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Cryptanthus
    Species:
    zonatus
    Family:
    Bromeliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Brazil
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Occasionally they may produce a short stubby stem from the center of the rosette with white flowers in a terminal stemless corymb.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Pink
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves form a rosette of green stiff leaves with wavy horizontal bands of silver-gray to cream with a pinkish cast. The leaf margins are wavy and toothed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Humidity