Tradescantia (Tradescantia zebrina) is one of the easiest plants for beginners. Purple and silver striped leaves on fast-growing trailing stems. Instantly adds colour to hanging pots.
Buy this plant online from our store, and use this guide for everything from light and watering to common problems and propagation.
Table of Contents
Why Choose This Plant?
Key benefits: bright colour, very fast growth. Let the purple stems cascade from a hanging pot or shelf for instant colour.
This plant is one of the easiest plants for beginners, and it stays a manageable size: a mature plant reaches about Trailing 30-60 cm. Good spots include: hanging basket, shelf.
Every plant we ship is healthy, well rooted and supplied in a nursery pot, so you can start growing it as soon as it arrives.
Plant Details at a Glance
- Botanical name: Tradescantia zebrina
- Also known as: Inch Plant
- Care level: Very easy
- Mature size: Trailing 30-60 cm
- Best placement: Hanging basket, shelf
- Light: Bright indirect
- Watering: Every 5-7 days
- Pet safety: Mildly toxic (skin irritant)
Tradescantia Care Guide
Light Requirements
Light requirement: bright indirect. Place it about a metre from a bright window, away from harsh afternoon sun that can scorch the leaves. Rotate the pot every couple of weeks so every side gets even light and the plant grows straight.
Watering Schedule
Recommended watering: every 5-7 days. Always check the soil with a finger before watering: if the top 2-3 cm is still damp, wait a few more days. Water thoroughly until it drains from the holes, then empty the saucer. Reduce watering in winter, when growth slows.
Soil and Potting Mix
Recommended mix: Well-draining mix: 40% garden soil, 30% cocopeat, 20% vermicompost, 10% perlite. Choose a pot only 2-3 cm wider than the root ball, with drainage holes. Repot every one to two years in spring or early monsoon, when roots start circling the pot or growing out of the holes.
Fertilizer and Feeding
Diluted organic liquid feed or 1 tbsp vermicompost every 4-6 weeks in growing season (Mar-Sep); none in winter. Always water the plant before feeding, and never apply more than the recommended amount.
Temperature and Climate
Ideal temperature range: 18-32?C. Indoor plants enjoy the same temperatures we do. Keep it away from air-conditioner vents, heaters and cold drafts, and avoid sudden temperature changes, which can cause leaf drop.
How to Propagate It at Home
Cut a stem below a node and place it in water or moist soil; it roots very quickly. Several cuttings in one pot make a fuller plant.
Propagating is a simple, low-cost way to fill more pots or share plants with friends and family.
Common Tradescantia Problems and Solutions
The most common issue is colour fades in low light. Our pro tip: pinch back regularly for a full look.
Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth every few weeks and check the undersides for mealybugs and spider mites. If you spot pests, spray a mild neem oil solution every 7-10 days until they are gone.
Where to Place It and Pet Safety
Best spots: hanging basket, shelf. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and contact a vet if any part is chewed or swallowed.
What You Will Receive
You will receive one live, healthy plant in a nursery pot, packed securely to arrive in good condition. Plants are natural products, so leaf size, shape and pattern can vary slightly from the photos.
To keep it thriving, we suggest pairing it with: potting mix + vermicompost + perlite from our store.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my tradescantia losing its purple colour?
Low light is the usual cause. Move it to brighter indirect light to bring back the purple and silver stripes.
How often should I water this plant?
Our recommended schedule: every 5-7 days. Always adjust to the season and check the soil first.
Is this plant good for beginners?
This plant is one of the easiest plants for beginners. Follow the care guide above and you should see steady growth.
Want to learn more about the botany? Read the Tradescantia zebrina overview on Wikipedia.
Explore more indoor plants in our store, or pair this plant with Syngonium (Arrowhead Plant) and Peperomia.
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