How to Care for a Zigzag Plant

The zigzag plant features strong, upright stems with an appealing zigzag growth habit, which accounts for the common nickname devil’s backbone. Pedilanthus tithymaloides is a tropical native that is easy to maintain as an attractive houseplant for year-round color. Zigzag is undemanding and extremely easy to care for, so it makes an excellent choice for the beginning hobbyist.

Gravel
Saucer
Balanced water-soluble fertilizer for houseplants
Clay pot (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Place your zigzag plant in the brightest spot out of direct sun in your home. It will tolerate medium lighting conditions, but grows better and displays brighter color in higher light.
- 2
  Keep the zigzag plant in a warm location. It prefers daytime temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees F with nighttime lows between 62 and 65.
- 3
  Scatter some gravel in a saucer and add water until the gravel is nearly covered. Set the zigzag plant’s pot on top of the gravel to provide humidity for this West Indian native. Don’t allow the water to come into contact with the pot.
- 4
  Water the zigzag plant just enough to barely evenly moisten the soil, but not enough to make it soggy or wet. Don’t allow it to dry out completely, and don’t let this plant stand in water. Always use warm water.
- 5
  Feed the zigzag plant twice yearly. Use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer for houseplants in April, and repeat the application in July.

List of Acid-Loving House Plants

How to Grow Peanuts Indoors

Indoor Growing