Plant Care Fiery Spike

Fiery Spike

Also known as

Aphelandra acutifolia, Aphelandra aurantiaca roezlii, Aphelandra aurantiaca stenophylla, Aphelandra bullata, Aphelandra fascinator, Aphelandra glischrochlamys, Aphelandra leiophylla, Aphelandra lonchochlamys, Aphelandra nana, Aphelandra nitens, Aphelandra nitens sinitzini, Aphelandra paraensis, Aphelandra phalacra, Aphelandra repanda, Aphelandra roezlei, Aphelandra sciophila, Aphelandra simplex, Aphelandra sinitzini, Aphelandra sneidernii, Aphelandra tarapotensis, Aphelandra uribei and Harrachia repanda

Taxonomy

Aphelandra aurantiaca
Aphelandra
Acanthaceae
Lamiales

How to care for Fiery Spike

💦 Water

How often to water your Fiery Spike

Water needs for Fiery Spike
0.5 cups
every 9

Fiery Spike needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Fiery Spike in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Fiery Spike: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Fiery Spike may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Fiery Spike in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Fiery Spike

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Fiery Spike: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Fiery Spike after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

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💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Fiery Spike prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Fiery Spike may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Fiery Spike is not known to cause harm to humans or pets. Regardless, if you, a family member, a cat, or dog has ingested any plant material, please consult a doctor or a veterinarian.


💨 Humidity

Fiery Spike doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.


🪴 Soil

Fiery Spike does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!


💩 Fertilizer

Fiery Spike should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


🌎 Native Region

Fiery Spike is native to the tropical Americas.


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Fiery Spike can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.


🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Fiery Spike, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Fiery Spike

Fiery Spike


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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