By Joyce Arlene Corson
Guest Columnist

Zebra Plant

SYRACUSE — My New Year’s resolution is to get a zebra plant with bright yellow edges.

Actually, I have already found it at a local nursery but did not buy it. It won’t be my first, because it was the wrong season to move for zone B. I reserved it until summer. I have had them before in my collection, but I am hoping to keep them longer this time.

Chlorophytum laxum, with its curled green leaves and creamy white edges, is a great way to introduce some color to a corner of your living space. It makes for a great hanging basket plant or can be paired in a container with dracaena or zz plant. Prized for its air-purifying nature, it is a perfect plant for beginners.

Houseplants are the “surf and turf” of the plant world, and pricing reflects the current market value. Chlorophytum comosum is one of the most common and well-known of all houseplants. It gets its common name from the small plantlets produced on long trailing stems that vaguely resemble spiders. Its colors are opposite the zebra chlorophym laxum. The dark green edges with varied white ribbon stripes come in many varieties, some of which you may have.

The zebra spider plant looks quite like the “reverse variegatum” but has a much brighter yellow outline on the leaves. This variety does not grow as tall as the others — instead, it tends to grow wider rather than taller. Zebra spider plants may be a little difficult to find at any given nursery, so check online where to find this unique plant.

Although not picky with lighting, spider plants thrive best in bright light, as they are known for being window plants. Since they are not selective with their lighting choices, they will do just fine in partial direct sun conditions as well.

Be careful that your spider plant does not get too much sun — this is noticeable if the leaves begin to burn.

Spider plants don’t need to be repotted often, since much of their growth is through their leaves and plantlets. A major sign the spider plant needs repotting is if the root ball rises above the rim of the pot. Spring is an ideal time to repot spider plants.