Description

Aphelandra

There are around 170 species of evergreen shrubs and sub shrubs from moist woodland in tropical North, Central, and South America, in this genus.  Grown as a houseplant for their attractive flower heads and opposite pairs, of deeply veined, simple, pointed, glossy green leaves.  Dense terminal occasional axillary 4-sided spikes with long lasting overlapping brightly colored bracts and a succession of short lived tubular red or yellow flowers are borne sporadically throughout the year.

When grown indoors grow in loam based potting mix with additional leaf mold.  Grow in full light with filtered light in summer.  Keep away from drafts.  Water freely during the growing season, cut back on watering in winter.  During summer apply a balance liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks and monthly in winter.  After flowering plants need to be cut back to encourage side shoots.

Where able to grow outdoors grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, well-drained soil in partial shade.

Prone to many serious fungal diseases including Myrothecium leaf spots and Corynespora leaf spot and Phytophtora crown rot, aphids, mealy bugs and scale insects.

Aphelandra squarrosa – Saffron-spike – Zebra Plant – This species is widely grown as a houseplant, in it’s native tropical and subtropical America and in Brazil grows 5-6’ feet tall and in breadth.  This compact shrub it produces ovate to elliptic dark green leaves to 12” long with white, silver, or yellow veins and pronounced midribs.  Bears terminal spikes to 8” long of waxy yellow flowers 1-1 ¼” long and has cream, yellow or maroon tinged bracts.

There are a number of cultivars varying in leaf size and pattern and flower color.

Zones 11-15