How to Grow Tradescantias—Tough Houseplants With Beautiful Foliage

Tradescantias ( Tradescantiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 4–12 ) are easy - care houseplant with cascade down , coloured foliage . Apart from the omnipresent zebra genus Tradescantia ( T. zebrina , Zones 8–12 ) , which is beloved for its purple - and - silver leaves , there are dozens of species and miscellany of genus Tradescantia that are perfect for growing ashouseplants , many with striking diversification . And under ideal conditions , occasional modest flower may appear . These plant are great for beginners and absentminded gardeners ; even if you make a mistake with light or watering , your plant will probably bounce back once the bungle is castigate . While tradescantias are very forgiving , here are a few guidelines to make certain that they do their best .

Provide indirect light and moist soil

Tradescantias prefer bright , collateral lighter . unmediated sun causes the leaf to bleaching agent of color over time , and the varieties with lighter leaves may even burn . However , too little lighting can cause the foliage to fade . Providing bright light intimately all twenty-four hour period is ideal . A great place to posit your genus Tradescantia is direct to the side — not in front of — a promising windowpane .

These plant flourish with dampish soil that can dry betweenwaterings . Watering once a hebdomad should be sufficient in summer , and you could cut back to twice a month in wintertime . Too much water can lead to stem guff , but I have found Tradescantia to be tolerant of occasional overwatering or underwatering as long as it does n’t become a riding habit . you may inseminate every few hebdomad in summer for fast growth , but the foliage often looks lustrous even withoutfertilizer . Overfertilizing , however , can result in stunt ontogenesis and burned , wilt , or yellowed leaves .

Tradescantias erotic love humidity , and keeping them in a by nature damp area of your base or misting oft will avail them to flourish . However , they will most in all likelihood be fine without this treatment and will get by in most areas of your home as long as there is tolerable light .

Problems are few and propagation is easy

An issue you may run into with Tradescantia is a leggy habit . Frequently pinch back stems can help promote more branching and denser leaf . These plant face no serious problem with disease or insects , although you should monitor foraphids , mealybugs , scale leaf , whiteflies , andspider pinch , as these can become problems if leave unchecked . Contact with the plant sap have skin irritations in some individuals . Also , all parts of the plant are toxic to positron emission tomography , so keep them away .

Tradescantias are one of the easiest houseplant topropagate . Propagation is a good way to make more plant , but it ’s also an option for start over if your plant start to fail and there are only a few good stems entrust . While you may go the traditional way of placing a carving in water system and hold back for it to arise roots , it ’s often potential to simply stick a fresh newspaper clipping directly into filth right after nip off it . Just make certain to water it well after set , and root will explicate quickly enough to keep the carving live .

3 Sensational Varieties Worth a Try

This genus is very diverse , with many different foliage anatomy , colors , and textures represented . Here are a few of the most unique and beloved Tradescantia that money can buy .

White velvet tradescantia has super-textured leaves

( T. sillamontana , Zones 10–12 )

This works has a very unique look , with hazy , olive William Green , 2 - in - long leaves that heap upon each other like logs as the plant uprise . White velvet genus Tradescantia reaches 1 to 2 invertebrate foot tall and will spread . Unlike other tradescantias , it can take some direct sunlight and is very drought tolerant .

‘Nanouk’ tradescantia is a modern classic

( T. albiflora‘Nanouk ’ syn . T. fluminensis‘Nanouk ’ , Zones 10–12 )

Since its reaching on the panorama in 2012 , ‘ Nanouk ’ tradescantia has been very pop for its vigorous pink , white , and green variegated foliage — with an emphasis on pink ! Even the flush are a pinkish white . This variety , which grows about 6 to 12 inches tall and spreads , has a very dense habit .

‘Sitara’s Gold’ boat lily tradescantia is the best yellow-variegated variety

( T. spathacea‘Sitara ’s Gold ’ , Zones 9–12 )

T. spathaceahas many common names , including boat lily , Moses - in - the - provenance , and oyster plant . It has recollective , fishgig - shaped leaves and an upright habit , growing about 1 foot tall and spread . ‘ Sitara ’s Au ’ is undoubtedly one of the most prominent varieties in the species . Its table mustard yellow variegate leafage has burgundy undersides that are thrown into relief by periodic clean flowers .

Diana Koehm is the assistant editor program .

Fine Gardening Recommended Products

DeWit Spork with Solid Socket

Fine horticulture receives a commissioning for item purchased through connection on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising program .

Nothers RooTrimmer 50 Cell , 10pcs

A.M. Leonard Deluxe Soil Knife & Leather Sheath Combo

Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional video transport to your inbox .

Signing you up …

Nine Tips for Propagating Houseplants Through Cuttings

Learn 5 Ways to Propagate Houseplants Through Cuttings

How to Grow Prayer Plants as Houseplants

Petite Houseplants for Any Home

Join Fine Gardening for a gratuitous engaging alive webinar feature Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned plant life pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamentals technical coach …

When I make out a particular grit dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful colour pattern …

When we only prioritize flora we want over plants our landscape painting needs , each season is fill up with a never - ending list of chores : pruning , nobble , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …

Video

Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat

You must be careful when you introduce the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …

4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden

Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill

Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage

4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard

All Access members get more

Sign up for afree trialand get admittance to ALL our regional depicted object , plus the residuum of the phallus - only contentedness program library .

Start Free Trial

Get gross internet site access to expert advice , regional content , and more , plus the mark magazine .

Start your spare trial

Already a member?sign in

Tradescantias

Tradescantias are easy-to-grow plants with few needs.Just be sure to provide bright, indirect light for best results (above). And to prevent root rot (below), water no more than once a week, and allow soil to dry between waterings.Photo: Diana Koehm

Tradescantia with root rot