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inchplant (Tradescantia zebrina)

Tradescantia zebrina is a low, creeping to trailing herb whose stems can extend along the ground and root at the nodes, often forming dense groundcover or colonies; it is also suitable for hanging cultivation. Sources differ in describing its life cycle; it is described as a perennial evergreen herb.

LightTradescantia zebrina can grow in full sun to partial sun, while indoors it does well in bright, filtered light; prolonged intense sun may fade the characteristic silver markings, while low light may cause lower leaves to
WaterWater regularly during the growing period, keeping the growing medium moist but well drained and allowing it to dry slightly between waterings; reduce watering in winter.
TemperatureA single source reports a minimum temperature of about 12 °C. It is generally grown as groundcover in suitable warmer conditions and as an annual or indoor plant in colder areas.
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Overview

Tradescantia zebrina is a low, creeping to trailing herb whose stems can extend along the ground and root at the nodes, often forming dense groundcover or colonies; it is also suitable for hanging cultivation. Sources differ in describing its life cycle; it is described as a perennial evergreen herb.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on its native range: it is centered on Mexico and Central America, while some sources extend it south to Colombia. In its native range, it is reported from shrub vegetation in moist to rainforest environments and from rock surfaces; where naturalized, it is reported in shady, moist settings such as forest understories, streamside areas, and roadsides. It prefers warm, humid growing conditions; it can be grown outdoors as groundcover in areas with warm winters, while in colder areas it is more often grown indoors.

Characteristics

Sources differ and are few on mature height, placing it at about 10–20 cm; a single source reports a mature spread of about 10–50 cm. It grows quickly, with creeping stems readily rooting at the nodes and spreading outward. The leaves are generally ovate to ovate-oblong with pointed tips, green to purple upper surfaces typically marked by longitudinal silvery-white bands, and purple to deep magenta undersides; sources differ in describing the flowers, which are mainly pink to purple, occur commonly at stem tips, and are described by some sources as occurring in small clusters. Flowers can appear throughout the year, sometimes intermittently, and the fruit is reported to be a capsule containing gray-brown seeds.

Light

Tradescantia zebrina can grow in full sun to partial sun, while indoors it does well in bright, filtered light; prolonged intense sun may fade the characteristic silver markings, while low light may cause lower leaves to drop and leaf color to become paler.

Watering

Water regularly during the growing period, keeping the growing medium moist but well drained and allowing it to dry slightly between waterings; reduce watering in winter.

Temperature and dormancy

A single source reports a minimum temperature of about 12 °C. It is generally grown as groundcover in suitable warmer conditions and as an annual or indoor plant in colder areas.

Growing medium and mounting

A moist, fertile, well-drained growing medium is suitable, including loamy or sandy soil, under acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions.

Feeding

A balanced liquid fertilizer is reported to be suitable for regular feeding during the growing period.

Propagation

Propagation is mainly by cuttings because stem nodes root readily; soft tip cuttings can be used, and stems can also be rooted directly in water.

Common problems

Prolonged intense sun can reduce the silver markings and make the leaves more uniformly purple, while insufficient light can cause stems to lose lower leaves and the remaining foliage to become paler; creeping stems root readily and spread, and in suitable environments the plant may become an invasive escape. It is sensitive to frost and cold conditions; in areas with frost it is better managed in bright indoor conditions, while areas with warm winters are more suitable for outdoor groundcover cultivation.

Identification

Its most distinctive features are its creeping, trailing habit and zebra-like foliage, with broad longitudinal silver bands on the upper leaf surface contrasting with purple to deep magenta undersides.

Photos

Tradescantia zebrina
📷 Ruestz (upload 13:54, 11 January 2008) · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Tradescantia zebrina
📷 Ricard Busquets Reverte, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploa · CC BY · source

Sources