{"id":8870,"date":"2023-08-15T03:26:20","date_gmt":"2023-08-15T07:26:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/?p=8870"},"modified":"2023-08-15T03:27:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T07:27:14","slug":"how-to-plant-and-grow-tradescantia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ifoxany.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/15\/how-to-plant-and-grow-tradescantia\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Plant and Grow Tradescantia"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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These long-stemmed plants can be grown as groundcovers or houseplants.<\/p>

\"boat<\/div><\/div>
PHOTO:\u00a0<\/span>

BHG \/ KELLI JO EMANUEL<\/p><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Growing tradescantia (also known as spiderwort) might cause flashbacks to the 1970s but it still merits its\u00a0popularity as a houseplant\u00a0or a groundcover. This tough tropical plant can have trailing or upright stems and\u00a0colorful foliage. Depending on the species, tradescantias are typically purple and often variegated with silvers, greens, creams, even pinks, and occasionally gold. Many of the light-foliage varieties have dark purple undersides, which creates a dramatic effect.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

Though not the main reason they are grown, many varieties produce small flowers that grace the attractive foliage. Most often these three-petal blossoms are pink, purple, or white and typically at the stem tips. However, in some species these flowers are at the base of the leaves in oysterlike clusters, hence the common name of oyster plant.<\/p>

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Tradescantia Overview<\/h3>
GENUS NAME<\/td>Tradescantia<\/td><\/tr>
COMMON NAME<\/td>Tradescantia<\/td><\/tr>
ADDITIONAL COMMON NAMES<\/td>Spiderwort, Inch Plant<\/td><\/tr>
PLANT TYPE<\/td>Annual, Houseplant<\/td><\/tr>
LIGHT<\/td>Part Sun, Shade, Sun<\/td><\/tr>
HEIGHT<\/td>6 to 12 inches<\/td><\/tr>
WIDTH<\/td>1 to 3 feet<\/td><\/tr>
FLOWER COLOR<\/td>Pink, Purple, White<\/td><\/tr>
FOLIAGE COLOR<\/td>Blue\/Green, Gray\/Silver, Purple\/Burgundy<\/td><\/tr>
SPECIAL FEATURES<\/td>Good for Containers, Low Maintenance<\/td><\/tr>
PROPAGATION<\/td>Division, Layering, Stem Cuttings<\/td><\/tr>
PROBLEM SOLVERS<\/td>Groundcover<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>
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Where to Plant\u00a0 Tradescantia<\/span><\/h2>

If you’re planting tradescantia indoors, put it near a window that gets bright, indirect sunlight. If your tradescantia is planted outside, you’ll need to check which variety you have before deciding where it will go. For the most part, these plants\u00a0do best in full sun\u00a0(except where it’s very hot in the summer), but do well in shade, also.<\/p>

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Tradescantia Care Tips<\/span><\/h2>

Members of the\u00a0Tradescantia<\/em>\u00a0genus are some of the simplest plants to grow, requiring little maintenance. They’re also super easy to propagate and makes a wonderful pass-along plant for friends.<\/p>

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Light<\/span><\/h3>

Tradescantias are quite tolerant of different sun exposures. For the best coloring,\u00a0plant in full sun, which generates the most blossoms possible. Inside, they tolerate just about any light level, but in shade, they may become washed-out looking. Too little sun\u00a0causes leggy growth, meaning the stems grow in a stretched out way with few leaves on them. Indoor plants will benefit from spending some warm, sunny days outside in summer.<\/p>

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Soil and Water<\/span><\/h3>

Provide tradescantia with\u00a0general-purpose potting mix\u00a0and good drainage. When planted in the garden, most tradescantias prefer growing in moist soil with a pH pf 5 or 6. In warmer climates, they work beautifully as groundcover. Many of the trailing varieties form dense mats and will root everywhere the plants touch the ground.<\/p>

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Because of their fleshy stems, tradescantias can withstand an occasional drought. If they wilt, they’ll usually perk up quickly after a good watering. In containers, water these plants regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.<\/p>

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Temperature and Humidity<\/span><\/h3>

Tradescantia will be happy in the same type of environment most people like. An indoor temperature of between 60-80\u00b0F is best for them. If tradescantia is grown outdoors, bring them in\u00a0before the first frost, which can kill them.<\/p>

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Fertilizer<\/span><\/h3>

You don’t have to feed Tradescantia, but they’ll grow more robustly if you do\u00a0give them a little fertilizer.\u00a0Only add fertilizer to Tradescantia in the spring and summer. Use liquid fertilizer at half strength each month, or use a controlled-release fertilizer at planting time.<\/p>

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Pruning<\/span><\/h3>

Though it may not be necessary, an occasional pruning and grooming of tradescantias will make for a more appealing plant. Some types tend to lose their lower leaves, creating unattractive naked stems. This is easily remedied by pinching the growing tips to encourage more branching.<\/p>

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Potting and Repotting Tradescantia<\/span><\/h3>

Choose a pot with drainage holes and use fresh potting mix when you are planting tradescantia in a container. These plants don’t\u00a0need repotting very often, but if you notice roots poking out of drainage holes, choose a slightly larger container to move your plant into. The best time to repot tradescantia is in the spring.<\/p>

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Pests and Problems<\/span><\/h2>

The biggest pest for tradescantia is\u00a0aphids, which can be washed away\u00a0with a strong spray of water. Other than that, there aren’t a lot of issues that affect these plants. Keep an eye on their leaves for any signs of bugs, but diseases are rare for this genus.<\/p>

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How to Propagate Tradescantia<\/span><\/h2>

Tradescantia can be propagated by division or from cuttings. Older plants with lots of growth are perfect for\u00a0starting new plants from cuttings. This is easily done by snipping off a few inches of stem, removing the lower leaves (leave a few at the tip), and sticking the cutting in water or damp soil. When starting cuttings in water, once roots emerge, transplant to evenly moist soil. Cuttings in summer and fall will respond best to replanting.<\/p>

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Types of Tradescantia<\/span><\/h2>

There are 75 types of\u00a0Tradescantia<\/em>. Here are just a few of the most popular varieties you can grow.<\/p>

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Boat Lily<\/span><\/h3>
\"rhoco<\/div><\/div>
MARTY BALDWIN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia spathacea<\/em>\u00a0has striking foliage, green on top and purple-maroon beneath. Its small white flowers are cradled in leaf axils, giving it the other common names of Moses-in-the-cradle and oyster plant. It is also sometimes called\u00a0Rhoeo spathacea<\/em>.<\/p>

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Silver Inch Plant<\/span><\/h3>
\"Jew<\/div><\/div>
MIKE JENSEN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia zebrina<\/em>\u00a0is a traditional easy-care houseplant with variegated olive and silver foliage with purple undersides. There’s also a variety with leaves that are purple on both sides with silvery green stripes on the upper surface. Stems root readily in water or where they come in contact with soil.<\/p>

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Purple Heart<\/span><\/h3>
\"purple<\/div><\/div>
MARTY BALDWIN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia pallida<\/em>\u00a0‘Purpurea’ also goes by the name\u00a0Setcreasea purpurea<\/em>. It is sometimes grown as a groundcover outdoors. Indoors it needs bright light to bring out its attractive deep purple coloration. It can form small, short-lived, bright pink flowers.<\/p>

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Striped Inch Plant<\/span><\/h3>
\"Tradescantia<\/div><\/div>
DEAN SCHOEPPNER<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia fluminensis<\/em>\u00a0is a fast-growing vine with creamy yellow striations on its leaves. It is also known as\u00a0Tradescantia albiflora<\/em>.<\/p>

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‘Tricolor’ Boat Lily<\/span><\/h3>
\"setcresea<\/div><\/div>
JAY WILDE<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia spathacea<\/i>\u00a0‘Tricolor’ is a striking white, magenta, and green variegated form of boat lily. It has a finer texture and trails more readily.<\/p>

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White Velvet Spiderwort<\/span><\/h3>
\"white<\/div><\/div>
MARTY BALDWIN<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Tradescantia sillamontana\u00a0<\/i>has medium green leaves densely covered in woolly white hairs. Magenta-pink flowers in summer stand out against the silvery-white foliage.<\/p>

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Tradescantia Companion Plants<\/span><\/h2>

Giant Wood Fern<\/span><\/h3>

Giant\u00a0wood fern\u00a0is a shade-loving tough plant with a bold texture.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

Foamflower<\/span><\/h3>

Foamflower\u00a0is a low-growing perennial with white flowers.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/div>

Corydalis<\/span><\/h3>

Perfect for shade,\u00a0corydalis is a perennial\u00a0with showy blossoms.<\/p><\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

These long-stemmed plants can be grown as groundcovers or houseplants. PHOTO: BHG \/ KELLI JO EMANUEL Growing tradescantia (also known as spiderwort) might cause flashbacks to the 1970s but it still merits its\u00a0popularity as a houseplant\u00a0or a groundcover. This tough tropical plant can have trailing or upright stems and\u00a0colorful foliage. Depending on the species, tradescantias are typically purple and often variegated with silvers, greens, creams, even pinks, and occasionally gold. Many of the light-foliage varieties have dark purple undersides, which creates a dramatic effect. Though not the main reason they are grown, many varieties produce small flowers that grace the attractive foliage. Most often these three-petal blossoms are pink, purple, or white and typically at the stem tips. However, in some species these flowers are at the base of the leaves in oysterlike clusters, hence the common name of oyster plant. Tradescantia Overview GENUS NAME Tradescantia COMMON NAME Tradescantia ADDITIONAL…<\/p>\n

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