Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Bromeliaceae
Botanical Name
Cryptanthus zonatus
Plant Common Name
Zebra Plant, Zebra Star
General Description
The zigzag white stripes across zebra earth star's leaves add visual interest to shaded tropical gardens. This terrestrial (soil growing) bromeliad produces starry rosettes of leaves that hug the ground. The species is Brazilian in origin but wild populations are believed to be extinct. In fact wild Cryptanthus zonatus plants were last recorded in 1972 in Dois Irmãos State Park, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Each rosette produces eight to fifteen flattened, tapered, strap-like leaves with tiny teethed along the edges. They are olive green with bright grayish white and brown strips and scaly, white undersides. In the warm summer months, small white flowers appear from the center of mature rosettes. After flowering and setting fruit, the rosette will die but not before it is replaced by small plantlets, called pups, that form at the base of the mother plant.
Grow the zebra earth star in a well-drained, moist soil that is sandy but rich in organic matter. Partial shade is best for best growth, though some sun can be tolerated in mornings and evenings. Too much shade diminishes the colorful foliar banding.
Mass zebra earth star as a tropical groundcover or plant beneath tropical ferns and begonias in a colorful border. It makes a nice houseplant, and pup plants can be easily propagated and used to renew a colony.
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Insignificant
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Edging, Groundcover, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
