Aphelandra

Looking for a Flowering Plant and a House plant all together? Aphelandra is the solution.
Aphelandra is use for two main purposes, its serves highly as house plant and significantly as a flowering outdoor plant. Aphelandra is planted all through the year, its large leaves with silvery shinny veins provide an attractive feature. During the Autumn the leaves are crowned by a golden cone. The plant by itself has been a favorite over the generations. It is very difficult to keep Aphelandra under a ordinary room conditions for more than a few months. Storing in such areas causes the plant to become leggy and leafless. Avoid this by feeding regularly and never allow the compost to dry out, mist often and keep warm in the winter. Be sure to remove dead blooms after flowering period.
Tips of Success:
Aphelandra Temperature: The plant survives average warm temperature, minimum 55 degree F in winter.
Aphelandra Light: Brightly lit spot away from direct sun light in the summer.
Aphelandra Water: Never waterlogged but keep the compost moist at all times. Reduce watering in the winter: Use soft, moderately warm water.
Aphelandra Air Humidity: Mist leaves often.
Aphelandra Repotting: Repot in spring every year.
Aphelandra Propagation: Take stems cutting in spring.
Types of Aphelandra:
Aphelandra Aurantica: The flowers are made up of bracts which are yellow or golden.
Aphelandra Squarrosa: This is well know as the most popular specie of Aphelandra.
Special Problems with Aphelandra Plants:
Loss of leaves: Dry root is the most common cause of loss leaves, even if the plant is left for a short period of time with dry roots can cause serious leave damage.
Too much of sun or draughts can cause the plant to loose leaves. Cold air is one of the most common cause of defoliation.
Brown Leaf tips: This occurs when the air humidity is too low. Surround the pot with moist peat, mist leaves regularly.