Tradescantia
Purple-and-silver striped leaves on fast-trailing stems that root anywhere they touch soil. One of the quickest, cheapest and most colourful hanging plants, and easy to keep full with a little pruning.
Tradescantia grows so fast you can watch it. The zebrina type has silver stripes on purple leaves, and it trails a foot or more in a season. It roots from any piece dropped on soil, which is why it is passed around so freely.
It goes bare at the base with age; the fix is to cut it back and re-root the cuttings in the same pot, which takes ten minutes twice a year.
Light
Bright indirect light keeps the purple and silver vivid. It copes with medium light but goes greener and leggier. A little morning sun is fine; hot afternoon sun scorches it.
Water
Lightly moist: water when the top inch is dry, every five days or so in summer and every nine in winter. It wilts dramatically when dry and recovers just as fast. Do not let it sit in water.
Soil and potting
Any potting mix. It is fast and hungry; repot yearly or, more practically, restart it from cuttings each spring.
Feeding
A half-strength balanced feed monthly in spring and summer.
Propagation
Cut stems with a couple of nodes and push them into damp soil or drop them in water. Roots in days. Fill a pot with a dozen cuttings for an instant full plant.
In a hot, dry home
Fine here with regular water. Dry air mainly shows as crispy tips on the oldest leaves. Keep it out of hot west sun and in an east or north window.
Tradescantia varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Zebrina
The classic: purple and silver striped leaves, magenta beneath. Fastest and most forgiving.
-
Thick pink, cream and green striped leaves on sturdy stems. Has its own profile.
Full profile -
Pink and green striped, thinner-leaved. See Nanouk.
Full profile -
The upright, purple-backed rosette species. Has its own profile.
Full profile - Sanna
Small, dark green leaves with a silver stripe, compact.
- Tricolor
Tradescantia fluminensis with cream, pink and green striped leaves.
- Sitara's Gold
Golden-yellow leaves on an upright, spathacea-type plant.
- Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida: deep purple leaves and stems. The toughest and most sun-loving of all.
Problems and fixes
Bare stems at the base
Likely cause: Age and the plant's natural habit
Fix: Cut back hard and re-root the tips in the same pot.
Fading colour
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move closer to a window.
Limp, wilting stems
Likely cause: Thirst
Fix: Water. It stands back up within hours.
Tradescantia questions
Is tradescantia toxic to cats and dogs?
Mildly. The sap can irritate skin and cause stomach upset if chewed. Hang it out of reach.
Why is my tradescantia leggy and bare at the base?
It is the plant's natural habit as it ages. Cut it back and root the cuttings in the same pot for a fresh, full plant.
How often should I water tradescantia?
Every five days or so in summer and every nine in winter, keeping the soil lightly moist.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Heartleaf Philodendron
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
