Light:

Full sun, partial sun or shade on some varieties (southern, eastern, western or northern exposures).

Temperature:

As a potted plant, maintain indoor temperatures above 60°.  They will tolerate cooler temperatures; however, foliage and flower diseases become a problem.

Humidity:

Maintain humidity at 50% or higher; lower levels will do no harm for short periods.

Watering:

Bring soil to a state of visual dryness between waterings.  A slight wilt will do no harm.

Fertilizer:

They are moderate feeders so 1/4 tsp./gallon once a week is a general recommendation.  However, they are sensitive to high fertilizer salt concentration in the soil.  Reduce feed under lower light conditions.  Reduce feed during the winter.  Periodically flush the root ball with clear water.  Use a balanced fertilizer i.e. 15-15-15 or a blooming fertilizer like Pro Gro ‘Grow’ 7-9-5 or Electra 5-10-3.

Pruning:

Prune after flowering.  They can take a hard pruning.  Do not prune any later than April as you may cut off the next season’s blooms.

Insects and Disease:

A. sinclariana is susceptible to white fly and spider mite.   A. aurantiaca and A. tetragona can get mealy bugs; their root systems are rugged resisting disease.

Comments:  

Aphelandra are spectacular bloomers.  They are seasonal in their flowering and therefore attention needs to be paid to the timing of pruning.  They do have difficulty with marginal edge burn or a browning of the older leaves.  Be careful not to over fertilize especially when light levels are low.  A. aurantiaca seems to resist the problem. It also is one variety the can handle lower light levels and still flower.  A. sinclariana needs the highest light to perform well.