diff --git a/docs/changes.txt b/docs/changes.txt
index 48bf721253..1f37a94b98 100644
--- a/docs/changes.txt
+++ b/docs/changes.txt
@@ -595,6 +595,7 @@ All (GUI):
 - Add wxTL_NO_HEADER style to wxTreeListCtrl (robboto).
 - Add possibility to delay showing wxRichToolTip (John Roberts).
 - Add "rect" paramerer to wxRichToolTip::ShowFor() (John Roberts).
+- Add wxListCtrl::EnableAlternateRowColours() (troelsk).
 
 wxGTK:
 
diff --git a/include/wx/generic/listctrl.h b/include/wx/generic/listctrl.h
index 81f9147280..7caa1fc14f 100644
--- a/include/wx/generic/listctrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/generic/listctrl.h
@@ -229,9 +229,6 @@ protected:
     // return the icon for the given item and column.
     virtual int OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const;
 
-    // return the attribute for the item (may return NULL if none)
-    virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemAttr(long item) const;
-
     // it calls our OnGetXXX() functions
     friend class WXDLLIMPEXP_FWD_CORE wxListMainWindow;
 
diff --git a/include/wx/listbase.h b/include/wx/listbase.h
index 4aa0d5f046..0bbb2bc4a5 100644
--- a/include/wx/listbase.h
+++ b/include/wx/listbase.h
@@ -446,6 +446,8 @@ public:
     virtual int GetColumnWidth(int col) const = 0;
     virtual bool SetColumnWidth(int col, int width) = 0;
 
+    // return the attribute for the item (may return NULL if none)
+    virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemAttr(long item) const;
 
     // Other miscellaneous accessors.
     // ------------------------------
@@ -458,12 +460,19 @@ public:
     // Only implemented in the generic version currently.
     virtual void EnableBellOnNoMatch(bool WXUNUSED(on) = true) { }
 
+    void EnableAlternateRowColours(bool enable = true);
+    void SetAlternateRowColour(const wxColour& colour);
+
 protected:
     // Real implementations methods to which our public forwards.
     virtual long DoInsertColumn(long col, const wxListItem& info) = 0;
 
     // Overridden methods of the base class.
     virtual wxSize DoGetBestClientSize() const;
+
+private:
+    // user defined color to draw row lines, may be invalid
+    wxListItemAttr m_alternateRowColour;
 };
 
 // ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/include/wx/msw/listctrl.h b/include/wx/msw/listctrl.h
index a873d07546..30080f8784 100644
--- a/include/wx/msw/listctrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/msw/listctrl.h
@@ -439,9 +439,6 @@ protected:
     // return the icon for the given item and column.
     virtual int OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const;
 
-    // return the attribute for the item (may return NULL if none)
-    virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemAttr(long item) const;
-
     // return the attribute for the given item and column (may return NULL if none)
     virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemColumnAttr(long item, long WXUNUSED(column)) const
     {
diff --git a/include/wx/osx/listctrl.h b/include/wx/osx/listctrl.h
index cd6b2e9fb6..eb6b50b4a9 100644
--- a/include/wx/osx/listctrl.h
+++ b/include/wx/osx/listctrl.h
@@ -291,9 +291,6 @@ class WXDLLIMPEXP_CORE wxListCtrl: public wxListCtrlBase
     // return the icon for the given item and column.
     virtual int OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const;
 
-    // return the attribute for the item (may return NULL if none)
-    virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemAttr(long item) const;
-
 /* Why should we need this function? Leave for now.
  * We might need it because item data may have changed,
  * but the display needs refreshing (in string callback mode)
diff --git a/interface/wx/listctrl.h b/interface/wx/listctrl.h
index 358bfc4f78..5b955e12c4 100644
--- a/interface/wx/listctrl.h
+++ b/interface/wx/listctrl.h
@@ -407,6 +407,27 @@ public:
     wxTextCtrl* EditLabel(long item,
                           wxClassInfo* textControlClass = wxCLASSINFO(wxTextCtrl));
 
+    /**
+        Enable alternating row background colours (also called zebra striping).
+
+        This method can only be called for the control in virtual report mode,
+        i.e. having ::wxLC_REPORT and ::wxLC_VIRTUAL styles.
+
+        When enabling alternating colours, the appropriate colour for the even
+        rows is chosen automatically depending on the default foreground and
+        background colours which are used for the odd rows.
+
+        @param enable
+            If @true, enable alternating row background colours, i.e. different
+            colours for the odd and even rows. If @false, disable this feature
+            and use the same background colour for all rows.
+
+        @since 2.9.5
+
+        @see SetAlternateRowColour()
+     */
+    void EnableAlternateRowColours(bool enable = true);
+
     /**
         Enable or disable a beep if there is no match for the currently
         entered text when searching for the item from keyboard.
@@ -750,6 +771,26 @@ public:
     */
     wxRect GetViewRect() const;
 
+    /**
+        Set the alternative row background colour to a specific colour.
+
+        It is recommended to call EnableAlternateRowColours() instead of using
+        these methods as native implementations of this control might support
+        alternating row colours but not setting the exact colour to be used for
+        them.
+
+        As EnableAlternateRowColours(), this method can only be used with
+        controls having ::wxLC_REPORT and ::wxLC_VIRTUAL styles.
+
+        @param colour
+            A valid alternative row background colour to enable alternating
+            rows or invalid colour to disable them and use the same colour for
+            all rows.
+
+        @since 2.9.5
+     */
+    void SetAlternateRowColour(const wxColour& colour);
+
     /**
         Determines which item (if any) is at the specified point, giving details
         in @a flags. Returns index of the item or @c wxNOT_FOUND if no item is at
diff --git a/samples/listctrl/listtest.cpp b/samples/listctrl/listtest.cpp
index e69a82ceb3..eaeb8a9bd7 100644
--- a/samples/listctrl/listtest.cpp
+++ b/samples/listctrl/listtest.cpp
@@ -137,6 +137,7 @@ BEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(MyFrame, wxFrame)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_SORT, MyFrame::OnSort)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_SET_FG_COL, MyFrame::OnSetFgColour)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_SET_BG_COL, MyFrame::OnSetBgColour)
+    EVT_MENU(LIST_ROW_LINES, MyFrame::OnSetRowLines)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_TOGGLE_MULTI_SEL, MyFrame::OnToggleMultiSel)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_SHOW_COL_INFO, MyFrame::OnShowColInfo)
     EVT_MENU(LIST_SHOW_SEL_INFO, MyFrame::OnShowSelInfo)
@@ -160,6 +161,7 @@ BEGIN_EVENT_TABLE(MyFrame, wxFrame)
 
     EVT_UPDATE_UI(LIST_TOGGLE_MULTI_SEL, MyFrame::OnUpdateToggleMultiSel)
     EVT_UPDATE_UI(LIST_TOGGLE_HEADER, MyFrame::OnUpdateToggleHeader)
+    EVT_UPDATE_UI(LIST_ROW_LINES, MyFrame::OnUpdateRowLines)
 END_EVENT_TABLE()
 
 // My frame constructor
@@ -264,6 +266,7 @@ MyFrame::MyFrame(const wxChar *title)
     wxMenu *menuCol = new wxMenu;
     menuCol->Append(LIST_SET_FG_COL, wxT("&Foreground colour..."));
     menuCol->Append(LIST_SET_BG_COL, wxT("&Background colour..."));
+    menuCol->AppendCheckItem(LIST_ROW_LINES, wxT("Alternating colours"));
 
     wxMenuBar *menubar = new wxMenuBar;
     menubar->Append(menuFile, wxT("&File"));
@@ -483,6 +486,8 @@ void MyFrame::RecreateList(long flags, bool withText)
 
     DoSize();
 
+    GetMenuBar()->Check(LIST_ROW_LINES, false);
+
     m_logWindow->Clear();
 }
 
@@ -836,6 +841,11 @@ void MyFrame::OnUpdateToggleHeader(wxUpdateUIEvent& event)
     event.Check(!m_listCtrl->HasFlag(wxLC_NO_HEADER));
 }
 
+void MyFrame::OnUpdateRowLines(wxUpdateUIEvent& event)
+{
+    event.Enable(m_listCtrl->HasFlag(wxLC_VIRTUAL));
+}
+
 void MyFrame::OnSetFgColour(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 {
     m_listCtrl->SetForegroundColour(wxGetColourFromUser(this));
@@ -848,6 +858,12 @@ void MyFrame::OnSetBgColour(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
     m_listCtrl->Refresh();
 }
 
+void MyFrame::OnSetRowLines(wxCommandEvent& event)
+{
+    m_listCtrl->EnableAlternateRowColours(event.IsChecked());
+    m_listCtrl->Refresh();
+}
+
 void MyFrame::OnAdd(wxCommandEvent& WXUNUSED(event))
 {
     m_listCtrl->InsertItem(m_listCtrl->GetItemCount(), wxT("Appended item"));
@@ -1328,7 +1344,7 @@ wxListItemAttr *MyListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr(long item) const
         return &s_attrHighlight;
     }
 
-    return item % 2 ? NULL : (wxListItemAttr *)&m_attr;
+    return wxListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr(item);
 }
 
 void MyListCtrl::InsertItemInReportView(int i)
diff --git a/samples/listctrl/listtest.h b/samples/listctrl/listtest.h
index dafb92384b..f99c135eb2 100644
--- a/samples/listctrl/listtest.h
+++ b/samples/listctrl/listtest.h
@@ -37,8 +37,7 @@ public:
                const wxPoint& pos,
                const wxSize& size,
                long style)
-        : wxListCtrl(parent, id, pos, size, style),
-          m_attr(*wxBLUE, *wxLIGHT_GREY, wxNullFont)
+        : wxListCtrl(parent, id, pos, size, style)
         {
             m_updated = -1;
 
@@ -88,8 +87,6 @@ private:
     virtual int OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const;
     virtual wxListItemAttr *OnGetItemAttr(long item) const;
 
-    wxListItemAttr m_attr;
-
     long m_updated;
 
 
@@ -135,6 +132,7 @@ protected:
     void OnSort(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnSetFgColour(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnSetBgColour(wxCommandEvent& event);
+    void OnSetRowLines(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnToggleMultiSel(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnShowColInfo(wxCommandEvent& event);
     void OnShowSelInfo(wxCommandEvent& event);
@@ -156,6 +154,7 @@ protected:
     void OnUpdateUIEnableInReport(wxUpdateUIEvent& event);
     void OnUpdateToggleMultiSel(wxUpdateUIEvent& event);
     void OnUpdateToggleHeader(wxUpdateUIEvent& event);
+    void OnUpdateRowLines(wxUpdateUIEvent& event);
 
     wxImageList *m_imageListNormal;
     wxImageList *m_imageListSmall;
@@ -218,6 +217,7 @@ enum
     LIST_FIND,
     LIST_SET_FG_COL,
     LIST_SET_BG_COL,
+    LIST_ROW_LINES,
     LIST_TOGGLE_MULTI_SEL,
     LIST_TOGGLE_HEADER,
     LIST_TOGGLE_BELL,
diff --git a/src/common/listctrlcmn.cpp b/src/common/listctrlcmn.cpp
index a4cd12f288..4c89a84d26 100644
--- a/src/common/listctrlcmn.cpp
+++ b/src/common/listctrlcmn.cpp
@@ -216,4 +216,38 @@ wxSize wxListCtrlBase::DoGetBestClientSize() const
     return wxSize(totalWidth, 10*dc.GetCharHeight());
 }
 
+void wxListCtrlBase::SetAlternateRowColour(const wxColour& colour)
+{
+    wxASSERT(HasFlag(wxLC_VIRTUAL));
+    m_alternateRowColour.SetBackgroundColour(colour);
+}
+
+void wxListCtrlBase::EnableAlternateRowColours(bool enable)
+{
+    if ( enable )
+    {
+        // This code is copied from wxDataViewMainWindow::OnPaint()
+
+        // Determine the alternate rows colour automatically from the
+        // background colour.
+        const wxColour bgColour = GetBackgroundColour();
+
+        // Depending on the background, alternate row color
+        // will be 3% more dark or 50% brighter.
+        int alpha = bgColour.GetRGB() > 0x808080 ? 97 : 150;
+        SetAlternateRowColour(bgColour.ChangeLightness(alpha));
+    }
+    else // Disable striping by setting invalid alternative colour.
+    {
+        SetAlternateRowColour(wxColour());
+    }
+}
+
+wxListItemAttr *wxListCtrlBase::OnGetItemAttr(long item) const
+{
+    return (m_alternateRowColour.GetBackgroundColour().IsOk() && (item % 2))
+        ? wxConstCast(&m_alternateRowColour, wxListItemAttr)
+        : NULL; // no attributes by default
+}
+
 #endif // wxUSE_LISTCTRL
diff --git a/src/generic/listctrl.cpp b/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
index 03e299d46a..b311e031ef 100644
--- a/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
+++ b/src/generic/listctrl.cpp
@@ -5397,16 +5397,6 @@ int wxGenericListCtrl::OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const
    return -1;
 }
 
-wxListItemAttr *
-wxGenericListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr(long WXUNUSED_UNLESS_DEBUG(item)) const
-{
-    wxASSERT_MSG( item >= 0 && item < GetItemCount(),
-                  wxT("invalid item index in OnGetItemAttr()") );
-
-    // no attributes by default
-    return NULL;
-}
-
 void wxGenericListCtrl::SetItemCount(long count)
 {
     wxASSERT_MSG( IsVirtual(), wxT("this is for virtual controls only") );
diff --git a/src/msw/listctrl.cpp b/src/msw/listctrl.cpp
index abfdf8db89..941506314e 100644
--- a/src/msw/listctrl.cpp
+++ b/src/msw/listctrl.cpp
@@ -3089,15 +3089,6 @@ int wxListCtrl::OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const
     return -1;
 }
 
-wxListItemAttr *wxListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr(long WXUNUSED_UNLESS_DEBUG(item)) const
-{
-    wxASSERT_MSG( item >= 0 && item < GetItemCount(),
-                  wxT("invalid item index in OnGetItemAttr()") );
-
-    // no attributes by default
-    return NULL;
-}
-
 wxListItemAttr *wxListCtrl::DoGetItemColumnAttr(long item, long column) const
 {
     if ( IsVirtual() )
diff --git a/src/os2/listctrl.cpp b/src/os2/listctrl.cpp
index cf9a922745..3b4cd843ea 100644
--- a/src/os2/listctrl.cpp
+++ b/src/os2/listctrl.cpp
@@ -2588,19 +2588,6 @@ int wxListCtrl::OnGetItemColumnImage (
     return -1;
 } // end of wxListCtrl::OnGetItemColumnImage
 
-wxListItemAttr* wxListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr (
-  long                              WXUNUSED_UNLESS_DEBUG(lItem)
-) const
-{
-    wxASSERT_MSG( lItem >= 0 && lItem < GetItemCount(),
-                  wxT("invalid item index in OnGetItemAttr()") );
-
-    //
-    // No attributes by default
-    //
-    return NULL;
-} // end of wxListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr
-
 void wxListCtrl::SetItemCount (
   long                              lCount
 )
diff --git a/src/osx/carbon/listctrl_mac.cpp b/src/osx/carbon/listctrl_mac.cpp
index 7aca51773a..73335f0445 100644
--- a/src/osx/carbon/listctrl_mac.cpp
+++ b/src/osx/carbon/listctrl_mac.cpp
@@ -2308,15 +2308,6 @@ int wxListCtrl::OnGetItemColumnImage(long item, long column) const
     return -1;
 }
 
-wxListItemAttr *wxListCtrl::OnGetItemAttr(long WXUNUSED_UNLESS_DEBUG(item)) const
-{
-    wxASSERT_MSG( item >= 0 && item < GetItemCount(),
-                  wxT("invalid item index in OnGetItemAttr()") );
-
-    // no attributes by default
-    return NULL;
-}
-
 void wxListCtrl::SetItemCount(long count)
 {
     wxASSERT_MSG( IsVirtual(), wxT("this is for virtual controls only") );