Zebra Plant

Zebra Plant (Alocasia zebrina) is bought for its stems as much as its leaves. Each arrow shaped leaf sits on an upright stalk banded in dark green and cream, and the plant holds at about 1m tall and 800mm across. Indoors it is a genuine feature, provided you give it bright indirect light, warmth and a mix that dries back between waterings.

Why you'll love it

• The markings are on the stems. Most striking foliage plants pattern the leaf. This one patterns the stalk, so it holds attention from across a room.
• Upright and architectural. At 1m tall and 800mm wide it occupies vertical space in a corner without sprawling into the room.
• Quick in warm weather. Given warmth and humidity it pushes new leaves through spring and summer, so the plant visibly changes rather than sitting still.
• It tells you what it wants. Drooping stalks mean thirst, yellow lower leaves mean too much water. Few plants give feedback this readable.

Where it works best

Indoors is where most of these live, and it is the position they suit best: a bright room, the plant a metre or two back from a window, out of direct midday sun. Inside, your climate stops mattering.

Outdoors it needs a warm, sheltered, shaded spot in a tropical, subtropical or warm temperate garden. A covered balcony or walled courtyard is ideal, but not an open bed or anywhere frost reaches.

One caution for households: like all alocasias, the leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate crystals, toxic to cats and dogs if chewed.

Growing zebra plant in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light gives the strongest stem banding and the biggest leaves. Direct midday sun scorches the foliage, and deep shade produces long weak stalks that lean. It is frost tender and wants steady warmth.

Soil. A chunky, free draining mix: potting mix opened up with perlite or coarse bark. The pot needs a drainage hole and must never sit in a full saucer. Alocasias rot from the base faster than they dry out.

Water and humidity. Water thoroughly, let the top third dry, then water again: weekly in summer, fortnightly in winter. Humidity is what it misses in an Australian house, so group it with other plants or use a pebble tray.

Feeding and grooming. Half strength liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks through spring and summer, nothing over winter. Cut spent leaves off at the base.

What to expect when it arrives

It comes in two sizes: tube stock and 200mm pots in packs of six. Tube stock is a young plant with one or two leaves that takes a season or two to fill a decorative pot. The 200mm plants are established and drop straight into a cover pot.

Alocasias are the more delicate travellers in the indoor range, so expect the odd creased leaf and be ready for the plant to shed one while it adjusts. Leave it somewhere bright and indirect, hold off watering until the mix has dried back, and look for a new leaf in four to six weeks. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• How to keep your indoor plants alive
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• A guide to growing exotic houseplants
• Alocasia 'Silver Dragon' for a smaller alocasia with silver leaves

Common questions

Is it safe around cats and dogs?

No. Alocasia leaves and stems contain calcium oxalate crystals, toxic to cats and dogs if chewed, causing drooling, mouth pain and vomiting. Keep it out of reach of a pet that nibbles foliage.

Why are the stalks drooping?

Usually thirst, and the plant recovers within hours of a proper soak. If the mix is already wet, the cause is the opposite problem, so check the drainage and let it dry back.

Why has it stopped growing in winter?

It goes semi dormant when temperatures drop, and may shed a leaf or two. Cut the watering right back, stop feeding, and it will push new growth once the weather warms.