If a zebra plant is dying, it is because an environmental factor is stressing it and causing a decline in its overall health.
The first step in saving a dying zebra plant is identifying the cause of the problem, which will make treatment much easier and more accurate.
In this article we will discuss the different reasons your zebra plant may be dying, and how to save it.
Why is my zebra plant dying?
Cultural care problems
There are many factors to consider when growing any plant, so if your zebra plant is dying, you need to determine exactly which of these elements is the one doing the damage.
If the leaves wilt and drop off more than normal, it could be that you are overwatering the plant. If you give it more water than it needs and the soil in the pot is not well-draining or the pot does not have any drainage holes, it can lead to root rot.
Leaf wilting and dropping can also be due to overfeeding of the plant. The leaves closest to the base are usually the most affected in this situation.
To figure out which is causing your plant problems, check the soil in the pot. If the soil is waterlogged and soggy, it is most probably due to overwatering, but if your watering techniques are good and you only water the plant when the soil is dry, then you may be overfeeding it.
Another sign to look out for is if the leaves become crinkled and start to curl up. This may be because your plant is getting more sun than it needs. Plants do appreciate basking in the sun because it helps them produce food to survive, but there is a limit after which they will suffer sun damage. In this case, you just need to move the plant to another spot where it can get afternoon shade.
If the tips of the leaves are wilting and turning brown, you may be underwatering the plant. The soil mix will be completely dry, so you will need to properly soak all of the soil so that all the roots get water. Keep watering the soil until you see the excess water flowing out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.
Diseases
Corynespora or Myrothecium leaf spot
These two fungal diseases are very common among zebra plants. In fact, fungal infections as a whole are common in zebra plants, because they like conditions with high humidity, in which fungi also thrive. These two diseases both cause water-soaked lesions to appear on the leaves of the plant, and produce spores on the undersides of the leaves.
Botrytis blight
This blight affects the edges of the leaves on your zebra plant, which ultimately results in leaf collapse. It also leaves spores on the undersides of the leaves that form gray-colored patches.
Both the blight and leaf spot diseases can be eradicated using a copper-based fungicidal spray.
Make sure you keep the infected plants away from your healthy plants so that the spores cannot be spread. You may need to apply the treatment multiple times to make sure all the fungi and their spores are killed. Try not to water the plant from above, because the splashing water can spread spores to neighboring plants. Water the soil directly using a watering can with a long spout.
Phytophthora stem rot
If your plant has mushy, black lesions at the base of the stem, it might have Phytophthora stem rot. If this is allowed to continue, the plant will collapse from the damage. This rot starts when water splashes infected soil and hits the stem of the zebra plant.
Unfortunately, there is currently no known cure for Phytophthora stem rot, so all you can really do is prevent it from happening. Make sure your soil is well-draining so that the water does not pool around the base of the plant, and avoid letting water splash onto the stem.
Pythium root rot
This is also caused by a fungus and usually affects plants that are already compromised health-wise. The plant’s roots will turn mushy and black, and the longer it is left unchecked, the more leaves will turn yellow, wilt and die.
Avoid Pythium root rot by never allowing the soil to become soggy, because these are the conditions the fungus likes.
Pests
Aphids
Aphids feed on the leaves of zebra plants by sucking out the sap. Use insecticidal soap to get rid of them and remove badly-infested foliage as necessary.
Whitefly
These small insects feed on the sap of the zebra plant and leave yellow spots on it. Remove all damaged foliage and use sticky traps to catch the adult whiteflies. You can also use insecticidal soap to get rid of them.
Mealybugs
These insects can be found on the leaves of the zebra plant and also leave yellow spots on the plant. You can try to remove them by spraying the plant with neem oil or by placing rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and wiping down the leaves.
Fungus gnats
These insects are big fans of moist soil. Use sticky traps for the adults and apply neem oil on the soil to kill any larvae.
How do I care for my zebra plant?
Light
Give your zebra plant partial shade or indirect light in order to simulate the kind of light they would be getting in their natural habitat. These plants grow in tropical jungles, under the canopy of tall trees. Too much direct sunlight can cause sun damage, while insufficient light can affect the plant’s ability to bloom.
Soil
Make sure you use soil that is neutral or only slightly acidic. In order to make the soil well-draining, you can make your own potting soil by mixing one part sand or perlite to one part gardening soil to two parts peat moss. You can also substitute the peat for coconut coir depending on availability. You can also use leaf mold.
Remember to give the plant fertilizer every two weeks during the spring and summer to make sure that it grows well.
Water
Keep the plant’s soil moist but never overwatered. Every two weeks, water the plant until you see the excess water flow out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This is to make sure that all of the soil in the pot gets wet and water reaches all of the roots.
During the winter, allow the soil to dry out between watering and try to maintain a barely-moist environment during the cooler months.
Temperature and humidity
Zebra plants are tropical plants so the temperature in their living conditions should be at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Humidity should be around 60 to 70%. If the plant is kept indoors where the humidity is low, you can use a humidifier. Keep the plant away from heating or air conditioning vents, because the draft from the vents can dry out your plant’s leaves. You can help the plant’s leaves from drying out too quickly by misting them every once in a while.
Fertilizer
Zebra plants are very hungry and tend to deplete the nutrients and minerals in their soil. They can be easily underfed, especially if they are planted in containers or pots.
If you want your zebra plant to flower, you will need to feed it regularly in the spring and summer.
Conclusion
If a zebra plant is dying, it is because an environmental factor is causing the plant stress. You need to be able to diagnose the cause of the problem in order to proceed with treatment and save the plant.
The most common reasons your zebra plant may be dying are light issues, overwatering, underwatering, lack of fertilizer, disease and pests.
Zebra plants are tropical plants, so to grow them properly you need to try to simulate the living conditions of their natural habitat.
Image: istockphoto.com / ByronOrtizA