I was reading an article last week in Canadian Gardening called “Leaves of Gold” while I jogged (strolled) on the treadmill, which I do regularly. Use the treadmill, that is. The writer had started the article with a quote from Albert Camus (author, philosopher and journalist who won the Nobel Prize in 1957). It went something like this: “autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower”. A second spring? I looked over at the window that was being pounded by the heavy rainfall, glanced up at the gloomy sky and sighed heavily, “I don’t know Al, I just don’t see it”

The big sigh was my (reluctant) acknowledgement that the fall season has officially kicked in and it’s a matter of time before the dreaded winter arrives with all its evil cronies: snow, sub-zero temperatures, blizzards, sleet, shorter days, freezing rain, slick roads, the flu, colds, frostbite, slush, cloudy skies, runny noses, dry skin and slush. Yuck.

In all honesty though, the fall could have been my second favourite season (after spring) every year had I lived somewhere else – like much further south - where it’s a little warmer, there’s a lot more sun and the season is much nicer. Then – and only then – would I enjoy the autumn season as much as I know I can. Because when Albert Camus says “autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower”, he’s right. It’s a majestic time of year with the streets and sidewalks blanketed by the bright red, gold and yellow-toned leaves.

But the fall seasons that I experience are very unpredictable, differing from year to year, leaving you uncertain as to what to expect. Some autumns are a little warmer with more sunshine, which encourages you to get out in the cooler, crisper air to enjoy the splash of colour and the crunching of the leaves beneath your shoes (something that fills me with a type of joy that I can’t quite explain). So there are some good years, and those are the ones when autumn has the potential to be my second favourite season of the year. However, the bad years, one of which was last year, are not nice at all. During those fall seasons, forget about the pretty colours and the crunchy leaves. You’re more likely to find yourself cursing under your breath as you’re huddled up against the cold, plowing through the rain and praying that your umbrella doesn’t invert in the strong wind. And the leaves? They’re plastered all over the wet sidewalks and they don’t crunch; they just stick to your shoes.

So, in order to properly reflect my northern world’s ‘who-knows-what-it-will-like-this-time-around’ autumn season, I would slightly alter Albert Camus’s quotation to this: “Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower the weather doesn’t totally suck” Or I would simply use Doug Larson’s expression for the yucky years: “Autumn is a season followed immediately by looking forward to spring”

That’s that.

What’s it like this year? Well, aside from the rainy, miserable day that this article was started on, the weather really hasn’t been bad. It’s not very cold, there isn’t that much rain and we’ve had reasonable amounts of sunshine. So Albert’s quotation overrides Doug’s. For now.

And in addition to decent weather, I’m also enjoying generous displays of beautiful houseplants at the local greenhouses. I don’t know what has sparked this abundance of greenery, but I’m not complaining. So far, I haven’t brought anything home, but it’s quite pleasurable to walk through aisles overflowing with foliage (and flower) eye candy. This green haven is especially necessary during this period when the outdoors is slowly but surely becoming barren of plant life as the temperature continues to drop with the inevitable arrival of winter. These mini indoor botanical gardens are a way of preserving a connection with nature during the bleakest months of the year.

And in these recent generous displays, I have noticed that Aphelandra Squarrosa is taking up a lot of shelf room, much more than any other plant. I don’t know if this is a yearly practice; I’ve never paid much attention before. But if it isn’t, it should be, because this plant looks autumn(y). The yellow flowers that emerge from the leaves like a glowing flame bring to mind squash and pumpkins. I don’t know why this is; perhaps it’s the colour of the flowers. Also, the plant tends to bloom at the end of summer, and the flowers last for six weeks into autumn; another reason why it’s perfectly suited as an autumn foliage and flowering specimen.

So let’s get to it and learn a little about the care requirements of an Aphelandra Squarrosa.


The Zebra Plant

Native to the South American tropical forests, the Aphelandra Squarrosa is a plant species in the family Acanthaceae (Acanthus), which consists of almost 250 genera and about 2500 species. Some well-known cousins include Hypoestes phyllostachya (Polka Dot Plant), Fittonia verschaffeltii (Nerve plant), Crossandra infundibuliformis (Firecracker Flower) and Strobilanthes dyerianus (Persian Shield).

Growing to about 24 inches in height and characterized by waxy, dark green ovate leaves with ivory-white markings along the veins, this compact, fairly popular plant is easily recognized by its common name: the Zebra plant. The inflorescence produced consists of colourful terminal spikes that are composed of long-lasting, bright yellow bracts and flowers. This is a dual-purpose plant that is used as a flowering and foliage specimen. For about six weeks, you’ll enjoy a lovely (and unusual) flower display. After the flowering period is over, pinch off the faded blooms and enjoy as an attractive foliage plant.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that the Zebra plant is a little difficult to grow in the average home under ordinary room conditions. Just like its handsome (but temperamental) cousin Strobilanthes dyerianus (Persian Shield), Aphelandra Squarrosa will decline rapidly if its needs are not met. Added effort is essential if you want to enjoy your plant for more than a few months, and if you want to prevent it from becoming leggy and leafless. Of course, you can always opt to treat this delicate species as a seasonal plant, which many do, and discard it when the flowering period is over.

But if you’d like it to stick around for awhile, here’s what you need to know:

One of the most important requirements in keeping a Zebra plant healthy is (yup, you guessed it) ample humidity. Although average levels will be tolerated for awhile, high humidity is preferred – and crucial. Try not to compromise this need; if the air is too dry, the leaf tips and margins will brown, leaves may be dropped and spider mites will consider moving in. Add a humidifier nearby, place the plant on a pebble tray filled with water, surround the pot with damp peat, place it in a room where humidity is naturally higher (like a bathroom) or group together with other plants to form a microclimate with higher humidity. For more information: Improving Humidity

Use a highly-porous, fast-draining soil and keep it evenly moist, but never soggy, while the plant is actively growing. The Zebra plant belongs to the frustrating water-juggling club where the fine balance between too much and too little water, both of which can cause lower leaves to brown and fall off, must be mastered – and respected. Reduce watering around midwinter when your plant takes a much-needed rest. Keep the soil barely moist during this period, but never allow it to dry out completely. Consider converting your Zebra plant to the hydroculture system. Wash roots free of soil, pot in clay pellets, provide ample humidity, protect from direct sunlight and keep warm. Water roots will form within a few weeks (4 – 6). Transplant after the flowering period ends.

Aphelandra Squarrosa likes a lot of light but needs to be kept away from full sun. Choose a spot that offers bright, indirect lighting; never expose to the summer’s hot, midday sun, which will damage the plant’s leaves. Direct sunlight is not recommended by many but over the years I have discovered that a little early morning or late afternoon sun in an east or west facing location is handled very well. Low light can be endured for awhile but the plant won’t bloom; a well-lit area is needed to encourage flower formation.

While actively growing, provide your plant with warm temperatures; the ideal range is between 18°C (65°F) and 21°C(70°F), but Aphelandra Squarrosa will manage quite well in a location where it’s anywhere from 16°C - 29°C (60°F - 85°F), . Protect from cold drafts; do not allow the temperature to drop below 16°C (60°F) for prolonged periods during this period.  The Zebra plant needs to kept warm; exposure to cold will cause the plant to drop its leaves. During the winter rest period, the plant prefers a cooler, shadier spot where the temperature is as low as (but never below) 13ºC (55°F), but it’s not compulsory.

Feed once a month at full strength, or every two weeks at half strength, during the active growing period. Do not fertilize while the plant is resting. Remove the flower spike after the plant is finished blooming to force it to develop side shoots. Cut back hard in early spring (or after flowers fade) for bushier, compact growth. Start new plants from cuttings.



Aphelandra Squarrosa requires a little added effort to keep it happy and healthy, but it’s certainly worth the effort. This is one of the few plants that appreciated for the beauty of its leaves and flowers. And even if you can’t get it to flower again, it’s worth keeping for its ornamental foliage.

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