This spiky, stripy succulent has a modern look and works well in a sunny kitchen, where it fits right in alongside stainless steel. The fact it needs very little attention adds to its appeal, making it a popular choice for a student apartment or for placing on the office desk.
HEIGHT 8in (20cm)
SPREAD 6in (15cm)
FLOWERS Tubular, white
FOLIAGE Succulent, striped
LIGHT Sun/filtered sun
TEMPERATURE 54–79°F (12–26°C)
CARE Easy
PLACE OF ORIGIN Eastern Cape of South Africa
The zebra cactus thrives on neglect, so it’s a terrific choice for anyone who doesn’t want to be tied down by responsibilities toward their houseplants. The plant is happy to live on a sunny windowsill, which means that you can find room for it in even the smallest of homes.
Plant in a container of cactus potting mix that will offer just a little bit more room for root growth. Watering requirements for this plant are minimal: allow it to dry out before rewetting. Apply a cactus plant food in the spring every two weeks until fall arrives.
Very mature zebra cacti produce tubular, white flowers in the summer months. Repot every other year during the spring and take this opportunity to remove offsets that can be grown on as new plants.
PROBLEM SOLVING Giving the zebra cactus too much attention is often the cause of its demise. Overwatering the plant, especially in winter, when temperatures and light levels have dropped very low, can be fatal. If you’re known to be too generous with your watering, a container that has good drainage holes is absolutely vital, otherwise the leaves will soon start to lose their healthy glow.
With its beautifully marked, slender stems and manageable size, this plant is great for cutting-edge interiors. Its spiky appearance also brings a sense of fun. If you have a sunny room with low humidity, display your zebra cactus with other sun-loving succulents such as echeveria and bunny ears cactus in a dry terrarium. Choose a glass pot or specially designed terrarium with an open side (a bottle will become too humid). Place a layer of gravel in the bottom and add cactus potting mix before planting. Alternatively, plant in a container on its own—gray pots can look great with this plant.
Houseplants A–Z | ZEBRA CACTUS
When space is an issue, a windowsill is a great place for sun-loving plants. To avoid blocking out the light, small plants are the answer. Try combining these succulents with zebra cactus:
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