The lower leaves of most foliage plants turn yellow and die. If you have a plant that has yellow leaves, check the soil in the pot to see if the soil is dry. Mealy bugs will slowly but surely dehydrate your leaves making them turn yellow like mentioned before and spider mites that will leave yellow spots where they have bitten through the leaves. [Succulentexperience.com] is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to [Amazon.com], "As an Amazon associate I earn from qualifying purchases". Ponytail Palm Leaves Turning Brown A Few Reasons, African Violet Leaves Curling Causes And Solutions, African Violet Leaves Turning White And What You Can Do, African Violet Leaves Turning Yellow Causes, Snake Plant Turning Yellow And What Causes This. House Plants Expert explains that Aphelandra squarrosa usually flowers in the early fall or late summer, and the flowers grow out of smaller leaves, or bracts. By over-watering you run the chance that you will get rotted roots, which will cause the plant to become super inefficient at supplying water and nutrients from the soil all the way around the plant. After the flowers bloom and start to wilt and die, the plant should be pruned. A sunny window may seem ideal, but it's not the best place for a zebra plant. The stems of the leaves have a purple tinge. As the plant ages it can lose it's lower leaves. Is Night-Blooming Cereus Poisonous to Cats? Succulent leaves turning yellow. If your pot is too small for the root structure, the leafs that are at the edges of the plant will turn yellow, die, and fall off. Your email address will not be published. Aphelandra squarrosa has dark green leaves with silvery white striping and, in late summer to fall, a bright yellow flower (technically a bract). Most people will also make the mistake of watering Haworthia Fasciata more in the summer and less in the winter but the opposite should be done for this succulent. If the Zebra Plant is watered more frequent than it needed, its leaves will turn yellow and transparent because they are rotting. The plant is sometimes known under the name “Prayer Plant”. Also called nerve plant, mosaic plant (Fittonia albivenis) is a trailing plant with deeply … The velvety patterned leaves with bright hues of green are marked with stripes that resemble the stripes on a zebra. This will only leave your Zebra succulent dehydrated and unhappy. You may think that Hawrthia Fasciata requires a ton of sunlight, and you are partly right but the type of light this plant needs is indirect light. The soil should stay moist and check to make sure that the plant is not near a heating vent. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing (www.wordsmythcontent.com), and she enjoys writing home and DIY articles and blogs for clients in a variety of related industries. If you have yellow spots, even if you think it might be a watering problem, Ingstrom says that you should pick up the plant and peek into the bottom tray. Now on the other side of the spectrum, you can just be under-watering your Zebra cactus which causes leaves to become dehydrated and turn yellow. After all of this is said and done, you should see your Zebra plant return to it’s normal color. Zebra plant care is important to understand if you have one of these popular indoor plants. … That is why most succulents have that vibrant green on the leaves. As the plant ages and starts filling out with new growth, the older leaves naturally turn yellow, begin drooping and will eventually die and drop from the plant. zebra plant leaves falling off Your plant will probably get together when you cut out the water, unless it is too late. Balcony Garden Web: Different Types of Zebra Plants, The Identification of Haworthia Attenuata Plants. Instead try to provide at least 5 hours of bright but indirect light on the daily so you can be sure your Zebra Haworthia is getting the required amount of light to stay healthy. If they sit in direct sunlight for long periods of time, zebra plants may develop brown spots. You don’t want to be giving the Zebra succulent too much full sunlight or else the color of the plant will most certainly start becoming a pale yellow color. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity (www.sweetfrivolity.com). Zebra plant is a common name used for 2 very different types of plant One is a succulent of the Haworthia clan, usually quite small when you buy it, with long fleshy leaves pointed at the end. The potting medium must never be allowed to dry out completely. The fungus might cause some leaves to twist, break, or become disfigured. Required fields are marked *. Enjoy your zebra plant! It’s important to check the specific watering instructions that accompanied your variety of zebra plant. • Spread: 2-3 ft. Excess water causes the leaves to discolor, rot and fall off easily. The Zebra plant (scientific name: Calathea zebrina) belongs to the larger family of Marantaceae plants. They store the water in their stems and their thick leaves. Don't allow these tropical and desert plants to dry out, and be sure to use only room-temperature water. A good quality indoor grow light can seriously help if you’re lacking on light when growing indoors. If your zebra plant has brown tips, it could be due to low humidity. Proper zebra plant care helps them thrive. You may find this name in some garden stores. Spider mites and lace bugs can cause yellowing when they feed on plant leaves. Believe it or not, these plants can also suffer from sunburn. Some are succulents, while others are also zebra aloe plants. If your Alocasia Amazonica is healthy, there’s nothing to worry about. Balcony Garden Web explains there are more than 20 varieties of zebra plants and cacti, and they can have striped leaves, raised spots, wider leaves, pointy leaves or lance-shaped leaves. How Long Can the Roots of a Succulent Be Exposed? To grow zebra plants to perfection, they need to be planted in highly organic, extremely well drained soil. As the insect populations increase, these damaged leaves may drop or dry up, leading to sunburn on fruits. Dark, blackish-green glossy leaves with white veins give the zebra plant its name. They do best in a room with a window facing east or west to provide bright light for a few hours a day. You can snip the dying leaves off the plant with clean pruning tools. Just for its foliage alone, it’s a delight to grow!But when it blooms, it absolutely shines. But a quick glance will quickly tell which zebra plant is which: Calathea zebrina has light green leaves with dark green striping and no noticeable flowers. Haworthiopsis attenuata, formerly Haworthia attenuata, commonly known as zebra haworthia, is a small species of succulent plant from the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.As an ornamental, it is one of the most commonly cultivated of the Haworthiopsis species. Your email address will not be published. When a plant sometimes gets overwatered, then dries out too much before the next watering, but then maybe gets just a drizzle, that's a recipe for brown leaves. Not enough sunlight or too much. Even when they are out of bloom, Zebra Plants make very attractive, foliage house plants. Instead, stay somewhat consistent with your watering and water fully each time you do so, don’t mist this succulent or only water partially. The second is a flat-leaf plant from the aphelandra species. I highly recommend using some quality neem oil spray to rid of these pests as this way of doing so is super easy compared to other ways of managing pests. Then, why is my zebra plant turning yellow? This interrupts photosynthesis, or energy production, in the plant's leaves and other above-ground parts, and its green color fades to yellow. The top layer of the soil should be moist all the time, so some water may be added as needed, and any damaged or dead leaves can be pruned off. Plant leaves may also turn yellow if a plant is not receiving all of the nutrients it … Those that have allowed their zebra plants to wilt a time or two knows the results. It may be hard or impossible for these types of plants to recover from overwatering. With those common bad causes out of the way, sometimes it’s just completely normal for a Zebra succulent to have brown leaves that just start dropping off. • Height: 2-3.5 ft, depends upon the species. While the yellow or golden flower bracts that bloom for about 6 weeks are very attractive the foliage alone makes the Aphelandra squarrosa (scientific name) a great ornamental plant for displaying indoors. The other varieties can also show these symptoms; if your zebra haworthia is turning brown or your zebra succulent has brown tips, dryness is the likely culprit. Sometimes it’s normal. What you describe is normal and natural. From here wait some time before watering as you want some healthy roots to grow first before giving this plant a drink. With the exception of succulents, which need a light hand with the watering can , most indoor plants prefer a … So if you do indeed have root rot then you should remove all dead roots, keep any healthy ones and repot this succulent in some fresh soil that drains nicely. The leaves of an overwatered succulent fall off very easily when touched as an early signal. This is also a common reason why this plant can turn yellow or begin drooping as more often than not, they are warning signs before the brown mushy leaves will occur. You can buy them at garden centers and online. • Bloom Description: Some species like Calathea crocata, Cala… Pinching will result in a full plant because it forces dormant buds to produce more leaves. This zebra houseplant is known for its large shiny leaves and dark green foliage deeply veined in white or yellow, reminiscent of zebra stripes, hence the common name. Any kind of sunburned plant can suffer permanent damage, so be sure to never leave them in direct light. … Sunlight is a required ingredient for the healthy growth of a plant. Zebra plants are sensitive to both underwatering and overwatering. If the leaves of your succulent start turning yellow or transparent, or feel soggy/mushy, the most likely cause of the problem is over-watering. First is overwatering. It likes the humid climate and covered cond… Sun‐grown tropical plants shipped directly north from nursery fields react to lower light intensities of indoor environments. They are native to tropical or desert environments, and they can be challenging to care for because they are indigenous to these areas. Young foliage is most susceptible to damage. Do not place your zebra plant in direct sunlight; filtered light is better. Excess water causes the leaves to discolor, rot and fall off easily. In general, they should be watered heavily about once a month, covering all of the soil areas. So provide the required light at all costs and you don’t have to worry about this being the cause of a yellowing Zebra plant. If the plant isn't getting enough light, its green color will fade. Otherwise not only will your Haworthia Fasciata turn yellow but you also run the risk of your succulent etiolating. Both of these pests can be controlled with a premixed insecticidal soap, applied once a … With that said, if your Zebra succulent is turning yellow then you definitely have a problem on your hands and your care taking skills are not where they should be. Over-watering is often the most common cause of succulent death. Sometimes, the leaves become dark or develop brown spots, though, so proper zebra plant care is essential to prevent this from happening. Lastly, there are some pests that can cause your Zebra plant to turn yellow and these include mealy bugs and spider mites. Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. So here are 5 common reasons why your Zebra plant has turned yellow and what you can do about it. Also next time you should just water the soil when it’s completely dry to the touch. Some species are clump-forming species. Your zebra plant’s leaves will start to turn yellow and transparent if the plant is being overwatered. Over-watering is certainly one of the most common ways to turn your Zebra plant yellow as rot is no joke when it comes to succulents. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. • Blooming: Some species produce flowers. If this happens, cut back on the watering and remove the damaged leaves; they will not survive. The bright yellow flowers on a Zebra plant emerge from bracts at the end of a long stem. These flower spikes can reach up to 4″ in length and are beautiful.Originating in southern Brazil, aphelandra squarrosa is truly a jungle plant. The lower leavers fall off and the plant takes the shape of a miniature palm tree. Try to eradicate this problem by misting your zebra plant more often. The nickname Zebra plant comes from its large, dark green, shiny leaves that have a bold white midrib and white veins. The cutting can be rooted in a container of water. The most common reason that plants’ leaves turn yellow is because of moisture stress, which can be from either over watering or under watering. Others have ribbed grooves and spiny tips. Mosaic Plant. All the varieties can be called zebra plants, but they have botanical names, such as Haworthia radula variegated and Haworthia fasciata. Nutrient Deficiency. Be careful not to overwater, though, as this can cause it to deteriorate. Heat stress can cause yellow, burnt leaves if plants are kept too close to a light source. • Native Range: Tropical Americas. People also make the mistake of over-watering their succulent, finding out they have been doing this and then completely avoiding water. Some varieties of zebra plants (Aphelandra squarrosa) have whitish, striped veins, and they feature lovely different-colored flowers, while others look more like cacti. At the same time, the name “Zebra plant” is sometimes given to a different plant, Aphelandra squarrosa. If you are a proud owner of a Zebra succulent or Haworthia Fasciata, then you no doubt like to take care of this popular plant to the fullest. Using sterilized pruning shears, cut off the bract and any dying stems and leaves to ensure the health of your plant. However, when the leaves are turning yellow, there is a cause for concern. Over-watering is the most common cause of yellowing leaves on a succulent plant . Mealy bugs will slowly but surely dehydrate your leaves making them turn yellow like mentioned before and spider mites that will leave yellow spots where they have bitten through the leaves. View on … From a bract that’s yellow or orange in coloration explodes many yellow blossoms. • Type: Evergreen perennial plant. The white spots of powdery mildew will spread to cover most of the leaves or affected areas. Keep this in mind when shopping f… What Causes Brown Spots on the Leaves of Prayer Plants? Their brightly colored flowers and bracts make for a prized display. So, to keep a full appearance, pinch the plant back when it becomes leggy. The best-known is the more common zebra plant (Aphelandra Squarrosa), which has larger leaves, prominent white veins, and white, yellow and orange flowers. Over-watering can simply be caused by watering too frequently or by using soil that doesn’t drain well, leaving water to stand around and do virtually nothing in the process. • Family: Marantaceae. Watering your Zebra plant can be a problem, since too much or too little water can quickly cause the leaves to drop. This is because this Haworthia becomes partially dormant in the summer and is more of an active grower in the winter. White or yellow leaves usually signify too much sun. MY ACCOUNT LOG IN; Join Now | Member Log In. • Common Names: Peacock plant, cathedral, zebra plant, calathea, or prayer plant. • Zone: It can be planted outdoors in zones 10 and 11. In their native Brazil, Zebra Plants can grow up to six feet tall and wide, but as a house plant … Powdery mildew usually covers the upper part of the leaves, but may grow on the undersides as well. Your zebra plant’s leaves will start to turn yellow and transparent if the plant is being overwatered. Lastly, there are some pests that can cause your Zebra plant to turn yellow and these include mealy bugs and spider mites. 2. For both of these annoying pests you should use standard pest control for succulents to remove them from your plant. I recommend this cactus and succulent soil by the way. Leaves turn yellow and dry out. Constantly wet soil can rot the plant's roots, interfering with its ability to take up water and nutrients from the soil. On the other hand, you don’t want to keep your Zebra plant in a dimly lit location as this can also cause yellowing leaves on the succulent. Heat Stress. These plants are common household plants that are typically grown for their foliage. The zebra plant, also known as Calathea zebrina is a lush foliage plant that sports large ovate leaves at the very tips of long stalks. Zebra plants like to be misted, and you can gently wipe their leaves to keep them shiny. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. Try moving this succulent to a spot where indirect light will be much more common or if you can’t move the plant you should consider using some good shade cloth. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. In their native environment, they are often found in the shade of a rock or other object. They prefer humidity levels of around 60 to 70 percent, and they need moist soil. The Zebra plant resembles other Calathea plants but it tends to be a bit taller. yellow, waxy bracts with tubular white, yellow or orange flowers protruding from each bract. Now that might seem alarming, and it can be but not all the reasons are that serious and only require a simple fix. A sign that you are giving this plant too much sun will be crispy brown tips on the leaves which is one of the first signs of sun stress, accompanied by yellowing leaves on the Zebra plant. Succulents leaves are the biggest concern when it comes to taking care of this type of plants. 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This will only leave your zebra plant care is important to check the soil in the winter Amazonica healthy! In southern Brazil, Aphelandra squarrosa it blooms, it ’ s or. Turned yellow and these include mealy bugs and spider mites these flower spikes can reach up 4″. Her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity ( www.sweetfrivolity.com ) a different plant, Aphelandra )! More leaves become disfigured serious and only require a simple fix “ Prayer ”... A flat-leaf plant from the Aphelandra species for their foliage allowed their zebra plants, but they have doing! Because they are indigenous to these areas they prefer humidity levels of around 60 to 70 percent and!