Native to the tropical climates of Mexico, South America. And the Caribbean, some tradescantia plants are considered harmful weeds, others are valued as garden plants, and still others, such as Tradescantia zebrina, are grown primarily as houseplants.
Like their garden variety counterparts, houseplant varieties produce flowers with three petals. Although they are not particularly showy in this species.
The leaves are streaked with multiple colors: green, gray, white, and pink. If you grow this plant in a hanging way it will have a very decorative look and will appear as a cascade of colorful leaves.
Cultivation and care
Tradescantia plants are some of the easiest houseplants to grow and will reward you with a lush, full look with very little work.
One of the only difficult aspects of growing tradescantia zebrina plants as a houseplant is reaching the right level of humidity.
These plants prefer consistently moist soil but don’t like being soaked or waterlogged.
Tradescantia zebrina plants are best suited for hanging pots and thrive in a location with lots of indirect natural light.
Tradescantia zebrina plants grow best when placed in a location with intense but indirect sunlight.
Place it near a window that boasts at least eight hours of sunshine a day. But be careful to avoid direct rays, which can cause leaves to burn.
If you notice that the color or variegation of your leaves is starting to fade. This is a sure sign that the plant is not getting enough light.
Tradescantia zebrina plants can grow well in regular potting soil as long as it is not excessively waterlogged.
In general, they prefer draining soil – their roots can easily rot if they stay too wet.
To facilitate drainage, mix a small amount of sand into a universal potting mix that also has a large amount of organic material.
When to water
These plants prefer to be kept constantly moist and grow healthy when watered weekly in the summer and less frequently in the fall and winter.
To check if your plant is ready to be watered, feel the soil a few inches deeper in the pot.
If it’s dry, it’s time to water your plant.
Temperature and humidity
Any tradescantia plant species will thrive in temperatures between 18 and 25 degrees Celsius. But will also do well in warmer temperatures.
However, plants should not be kept in temperatures below 10 degrees. As this could discolor or damage their leaves.
When it comes to humidity levels, tradescantia plants love above average humidity.
Start by keeping it in a typically humid area of the house, such as a bathroom or kitchen.
You can also lightly vaporize the plant every couple of days or invest in a small humidifier.
If you notice that the leaves of the plant are darkening. It could be a sign that the humidity levels in your home are too low.
The Tradescantia zebrina is a plant that grows aggressively it can become too bare if left to grow without treatment.
To keep your plant in check and encourage it to grow more lush and full, periodically prune the stems , cutting back at a joint.
Almost all plants in this family are very easy to propagate using cuttings.
To do this, take a piece of stem at least 3 to 4 inches long that has at least one leaf and place it cut side down in fresh potting soil (no rooting hormone needed).
Water the cutting regularly, you should notice that it takes root within a few weeks.
Common pests and diseases
Like many other houseplants, tradescantia zebrina plants can encounter problems with both aphids and spider mites.
Keep an eye out for signs of infestation: If you suspect your plant is infected, separate it from other houseplants and treat it with a mild insecticide or horticultural oil such as neem oil.