- Zebra herb: flower, origin and properties
- The most beautiful varieties
- Plant Tradescantia zebrina: location, time and procedure
- Care of the zebra weed
- Propagating zebra weed
- Wintering: Is zebra weed hardy?
- Is zebra weed poisonous?
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The zebra herb stands out from many other green indoor plants with its colorful foliage. Here you will find the most important information about the location and care of the zebra weed.
The long shoots of zebra herb (Tradescantia zebrina) look best hanging in a traffic light pot. In this article you will learn, among other things, how you can help the popular houseplant to grow bushy and what you should consider when caring for it.
Zebra herb: flower, origin and properties
Native to South and Central America, zebra herb belongs to the Commelinaceae family. There is disagreement as to which genus it belongs to: the zebra ampelkraut is sometimes counted as belonging to the genus of spiderworts (Tradescantiae), sometimes it is counted as Zebrina pendula but also as separate genus. The name zebra traffic light herb refers to the popular way of keeping the houseplant in a traffic light pot. This allows the long shoots to hang down over the edge of the pot and the green-silver-purple striped leaves to come into their own. In nature, in addition to the decorative leaves, pink flowers develop all year round, which sit individually in the leaf axils. Flowering is also possible indoors if the zebra plant gets enough light. A faintly succulent plant, zebra weed is able to store some water in its leaves and shoots.
The most beautiful varieties
In addition to the classic zebra herb, there are also some varieties of Tradescantia zebrina, which differ mainly in their colouring. We briefly present the most beautiful zebra herb varieties:
- Tradescantia zebrina 'Quadricolor' has pinkish rather than purple leaves which combine with the green and white stripes to create a pretty pattern.
- Tradescantia zebrina 'Purpusii' has leaves in a particularly strong violet, which stand out against the other, mostly green houseplants.
- Tradescantiazebrina 'Discolor' also scores with different colored striped leaves in pink, green and silver.
Plant Tradescantia zebrina: location, time and procedure
The zebra weed is quite uncomplicated both in terms of location and care. It is best to place the zebra plant in a bright place that is protected from the midday sun. However, a little sun in the evening or in the morning is good for the zebra plant. The temperature should correspond to normal room temperature during the growing season - i.e. between 20 and 25 °C. During this time Tradescantia zebrina can also be kept outside on the balcony or in the garden. There is also a sheltered location that is not in full sun. In winter it can be a bit cooler for the zebra plant, here 12 - 15 °C is enough.
Tip: If the zebra weed gets enough light, you can also admire the pretty flowers with a bit of luck.
The zebra weed does not need a special substrate, a versatile universal potting soil is absolutely sufficient. A particularly sustainable choice, for example, is our Plantura organic universal soil: the clay minerals it contains ensure that the soil has good water storage capacity, so that the plant is supplied with water in the long term. In addition, the slightly acidic pH value is ideal for zebra weed.
If you use cuttings to plant zebra weed, you can place several cuttings in one pot. Depending on the size of the pot, 10 to 15 cuttings fit next to each other, so that the zebra weed appears bushier.
Tip: A traffic light pot is ideal for hanging the zebra herb in the limelight. It is best to position the pot in a bright spot, for example in front of a west or east-facing window.
Care of the zebra weed
It doesn't take much for zebra weed care to succeed. Like almost all tropical plants, it only needs occasional water and occasional fertilizer. A regular cut can also influence the growth habit.
Cut, water and fertilize zebra weed
Water the zebra weed regularly and always keep the root ball moist. The substrate may dry on the surface in between, but then water should be given again.Lime-free water is best. Young plants need a little more water, the soil should then always be evenly moist. Avoid waterlogging by draining excess water from the planter a few minutes after watering.
In the growth phase, the zebra weed needs fertilizer from time to time so that the nutrient supply is guaranteed. A classic green plant fertilizer is suitable for this, such as our Plantura organic room and green plant fertilizer. This ensures lush foliage and vigorous growth, so that the Zebrina can develop long shoots. Root growth is stimulated by the microorganisms in our organic fertilizer.
Since the shoots of the zebra weed usually grow quickly and long during the vegetation period, pruning can be appropriate. In addition, the leaves often dry up at the ends of the shoots and are thrown off. The shoots can then be cut back generously in spring. This measure promotes branching and the zebra weed grows bushier.
Tip: To get a little closer to the tropical conditions, you can spray the zebra plant with a water sprayer from time to time.
Repotting
You can repot the zebra weed during the growing season, i.e. between spring and autumn. If the old pot is completely rooted, it's time for a larger vessel. Otherwise, repotting every two to three years is sufficient.
Propagating zebra weed
The easiest way to propagate zebra weed is to use cuttings. In spring, a few shoots can simply be cut off from the mother plant. These should already have some leaves. Then place the cuttings in a glass of water in a bright place. After a few days, roots should have formed and the cuttings can be planted in a pot. Since older shoots lose their leaves and become bare, the use of zebra weed offshoots is not recommended. With the cuttings method, new young shoots with many leaves are always obtained and the bare shoots are shortened.
Wintering: Is zebra weed hardy?
In winter, the zebra plant can also tolerate cooler temperatures, but these should not fall below 10 °C. Then place the plant in a bright spot so that the leaves can develop their strong colorto keep. If the zebra weed experiences freezing temperatures, shoots and stems freeze.
Is zebra weed poisonous?
Zebra weed is not poisonous to humans or animals. You can therefore place the plant in any suitable place in the home.
There are many other spiderworts whose blossoms can also be admired in our latitudes. With us you will learn everything about the beautiful plant genus.