Zebra weed: care, location & propagation

The zebra herb stands out from many other green houseplants 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 the zebra herb (Tradescantia zebrina) 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 about the genus affiliation: Partially, the zebra traffic light herb becomes part of the genus

Spiderworts (Tradescantiae) counted, sometimes it counts as Zebrina pendula but also as a 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. As a weakly 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 primarily in their coloring. We briefly present the most beautiful zebra herb varieties:

• Tradescantia zebrina 'Quadricolor' has pink 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 in comparison to the other, mostly green houseplants.
• Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor' also scores with different colored striped leaves in pink, green and silver.

Planting Tradescantia zebrina: location, timing and procedure

The zebra weed is quite uncomplicated in terms of both 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. In this time can 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 sufficient.

tip: If the zebra weed gets enough light, with a bit of luck you can also admire the pretty flowers.

The zebra weed does not need a special substrate, a versatile universal potting soil is absolutely sufficient. A particularly sustainable choice is ours Plantura organic universal soil The clay minerals contained 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 the 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 place, for example in front of a west or east 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 keep the root ball moist at all times. 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 cachepot 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, such as ours, is suitable for this Plantura organic indoor 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 traffic light herb 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 tropical conditions, you can spray the zebra plant with a water sprayer from time to time.

repot

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.

Grow 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.

Hibernation: 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 light spot so that the leaves retain their bright color. If the zebra weed experiences frosty temperatures, shoots and stems freeze.

Is zebra weed poisonous?

The zebra weed is not poisonous to humans or animals. So you can place the plant in any suitable place in the home.

There are many more Spiderworts, whose flowers can also be admired in our latitudes. With us you will learn everything about the beautiful plant species.