I have zebra plant that is growing like a tree

Question

is abuot 4 feet tall. wiht leaves at the top.as soon as the dottem leaves get 1 to 2 inches-trey fall of

Answer 1

This plant is not for the faint of heart. I’ve murdered many and I’m not sure this one will survive me, but it has lasted longer than any of the others I’ve had.

Give Zebra plants lots of water and lots of humidity. Find this plant a spot in your kitchen or bathroom. It drops the older leaves when the air is too dry.

Zebra plants want bright sunlight. If you have to choose between sunshine and humidity though, go for the humidity when finding this plant a location in your home.

Pinching off new growth will force it to fill back out again. When it flowers a bright yellow flower comes up from the top much like a ginger.

Usually this plant will not more be more than a foot or two in height full grown.

I saw some of these growing in the wild not long ago. They grow in large clumps of bushy plants. I didn’t even recognize them at first they looked so full compared to how they look grown indoors.

These plants are easily sun damaged, you will see yellow or brown spots on the leaves between the veins. Move it further from the light if you see this.

If the tips of the leaves turn brown, that is salt damage. Either repot it or when you water be sure to let the water run out the bottom of the pot for a few minutes. Also watch for mealy bugs on this plant.

Answer 2

You need to pinch it!  In nature, plant height is checked by outside factors; leaves and limbs get broken off and eaten by animals.  Since your plant has lived a sheltered life, you have to simulate this natural behavior by breaking some things off.  If you want it to stay shorter and have more branches, you'll need to cut off the top leaves.  Cut just above where a healthy leaf is currently coming out of the tree.  Wherever you cut, this will turn into a branch.  Instead of one long, straight plant you will have two separate branches.  Once these new branches grow taller, you can pinch them too, in order to induce more branching.