Tradescantia plants come in many stunning colourful varieties from green, cream, silvery, pink, purple or a combination of these. They add a charming, colourful beauty to a space when displayed indoors.
Varieties from our listing
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Below is a general care guide for Tradescantia which can slightly differ depending on variety.
Light & Temperature
Tradescantias like bright, indirect light. They need a good amount of sun to maintain their remarkable foliage variegations. Direct sun, however, will burn their leaves.
They do well in indoor temperatures.
Watering, Humidity & Misting
Tradescantias don’t like their soil to be completely dry for too long. Water them regularly and try to keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. If you want to be extra careful, try bottom watering the plant. Don’t worry if you miss watering once in a while - Tradescantia will tolerate occasional missed watering.
Give the plant its fair share of humidity by giving it an occasional misting. Another thing you can do is place it in a pebble tray or use a humidifier.
Soil and Repotting
This plant can grow well with ordinary potting mix. You can repot your Tradescantias once a year.
Propagation
Tradescantias are very easy to propagate. Simply take one inch piece of stem with at least one leaf and pot it in fresh soil. Regular watering will encourage healthy roots within a few weeks.
Fertiliser
Use a balanced fertiliser formulated for houseplants. Follow the directions on the label of our Down to Earth. organic plant food. Do not over-feed Tradescantias as this can cause the plant’s leaves to lose their variegation.
Toxicity
Tradescantias are mildly toxic if ingested and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.
Possible Issues
Under the right care and conditions, your plant will grow happy and healthy. But here are some issues you may encounter while caring for a Tradescantia:
Aphids, whitefly, mealybugs and spider mites - When spotted, wash off with a spray water. If the problem persists, use neem oil.
Yellowing leaves - This is most likely due to overwatering. Make sure the soil has partially dried out before watering the plant.
Leaf colours fading - This can be due to lack of light. Tradescantias prefer bright, indirect light. Lower light environment will result in dull or loss of variegation.