🌿 Baby Aphelandra Care Guide
(Zebra Plant — Aphelandra squarrosa)
Aphelandra, commonly known as the Zebra Plant, is a stunning tropical foliage plant admired for its glossy dark green leaves with dramatic white veins. Under the right conditions, it may also produce vibrant yellow flower bracts.
Baby Aphelandra are a little sensitive and thrive best with warmth, humidity, and consistent moisture.
🌞 Light
Prefers bright, indirect light
Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch leaves
Too little light may result in slow growth and poor flowering
✨ Tip: Bright filtered light is ideal for strong leaf colour and healthy growth.
💧 Watering
Keep soil evenly moist, but never soggy
Water when the top 1–2 cm begins to dry
Do not allow the plant to dry out completely
Always ensure excess water can drain freely
⚠️ Aphelandra are sensitive to underwatering and may wilt quickly if too dry.
🌱 Soil
Use a rich but well-draining tropical mix such as:
Premium potting soil
Perlite or pumice for drainage
Coco coir or peat for moisture retention
Optional: a small amount of orchid bark for airflow
A balanced mix supports moisture while preventing root rot.
🪴 Pot Size
Babies do best in a small pot with drainage holes
Avoid overpotting, as excess soil stays wet too long
Repot only once roots begin filling the container
Aphelandra prefer being slightly snug.
🌡 Temperature & Humidity
Ideal temperature: 18–28°C
Protect from cold drafts and temps below 15°C
Require high humidity (60–80%) for best results
A humidifier or enclosed space is highly beneficial
✨ Tip: Brown leaf edges often indicate low humidity or inconsistent watering.
🌿 Fertilizer
Feed during spring and summer growth
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at ½ strength
Fertilize every 4 weeks
Pause feeding in autumn and winter
Gentle feeding encourages lush foliage and flowering.
🌸 Flowering Note
Aphelandra may bloom once mature under ideal conditions.
Bright indirect light, warmth, and humidity greatly increase flowering success.
Spent flower bracts can be trimmed back to encourage new growth.
✂️ General Maintenance
Wipe leaves gently to remove dust
Rotate occasionally for even growth
Remove yellowing leaves with clean scissors
Avoid frequent moving — Aphelandra prefer stable conditions
🐛 Pests to Watch For
Aphelandra may occasionally attract:
Spider mites
Mealybugs
Scale
Inspect regularly, especially in dry indoor air, and treat early if needed.
⚠️ Pet Safety
Aphelandra are considered toxic if ingested, so keep out of reach of pets and children.
📦 Postage & Shipping Information
All plants are carefully prepared and packaged to ensure they arrive safely and in excellent condition.
Orders are lovingly packed and dispatched on Mondays only, to help ensure they arrive before the following weekend, as our shop is closed on Tuesdays.
To ensure same-week dispatch, orders must be placed by midnight Sunday.
If Monday falls on a public holiday, dispatch will not take place until the following Monday. While we always do our best to send orders promptly, should any unexpected lengthy delays occur, we’ll be in touch to let you know.
Shipping Options
Bare Root Shipping (Most Economical Option):
Soil is mostly removed to reduce weight, and roots are wrapped in either sphagnum moss or damp shredded paper.
Potted Shipping (Where Possible):
Plants may be sent in their original nursery pots with soil intact. Shipping is calculated by weight, making this option more expensive, however plants will arrive less stressed with no need to pot them up on arrival.
Simply select your preferred shipping method at checkout.
Please note: Due to plant import restrictions, we are only able to ship to WA, NT, or TAS if prior arrangements have been made.
🌿 Pick Up Available
Pick up is also available from:
DESERT JUNGLE PLANT CO
2/34 Wollongong Street
Fyshwick ACT
Opening Hours:
Wednesday–Friday: 10am–5pm
Saturday: 10am–4pm
🌿 Disclaimer
Please note: All images are for reference only. We try to provide an image for each product that shows what a mature specimen may look like, as well as examples of the plants you will receive.
The plant you receive will be a healthy specimen selected from the best available stock at the time of picking. As each plant is unique, size, shape, and colour may vary slightly from the reference photos shown.