how do you care for a tradescantia plant

Tips for growing a healthy, vigorous Tradescantia “Nanouk”

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How do you take care of Tradescantia in the winter?

Don’t ever let your plant get too dry, especially in winter. To keep soil evenly moist, a regular watering schedule is best. Water until water drains through the bottom of the pot, taking care that your plant won’t sit in water. Tradescantia thrive in humidity and they love a regular misting.

How do you revive a dying Tradescantia?

Plant the Tradescantia in fresh, free-draining soil and put it on a window sill in a humid, bright light, such as a bathroom window sill. If you have enough healthy roots left, the plant has a chance of recovering. Prevent this from happening by using free-draining soil and water the plant only when the top inch of the soil is dry.

How to care for Tradescantia “Nanouk?

Also, you can water the plant by soaking the entire pot in tepid water for an hour or so and then letting the excess thoroughly drain from the hole in the pot on a drip tray. Make sure that your Tradescantia “Nanouk” actually needs watering by touching the soil with your fingers.

What temperature does Tradescantia need to survive?

Most tradescantia plants are able to survive and thrive in average temperatures anywhere between 15 and 26°C, so they’re the perfect fit for a cosy living space or a humid conservatory. How Often Should I Water It? Tradescantia plants love moisture and care should be taken to avoid the plant drying out at all, especially over winter.

How often do you water a Tradescantia?

once a weekTradescantia Nanouk typically reaches a height and width of under 3 ½ inches. Tradescantia Nanouk does well in bright, indirect sunlight or full sun. Water your Tradescantia Nanouk once a week or when the top inch of the soil is dry. Be careful not to overwater them.

Does Tradescantia need sunlight?

Light and Temperature Tradescantia likes bright, indirect light. They need a good amount of light; if they don't get it, you'll notice that their leaf markings begin to fade. Direct sun, however, will scorch their leaves (with the exception being the purple queen variety, which loves full sun).

Is Tradescantia easy to care for?

Easy going and low maintenance, Tradescantia plants are fast-growing vining plants perfect for shelves and hangers.

Where do I put Tradescantia?

Light. Spiderwort plants do best in bright but indirect sunlight. Place them nearby a window that boasts at least eight hours of sun a day, but be careful to avoid any direct rays, which can cause the leaves to scorch.

Why are the leaves on my Tradescantia dying?

When the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and die. This is the biggest issue with growing them indoors during the winter months, when the air in our home is super dry.

How do you make a Tradescantia bushy?

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Does Tradescantia need deep pots?

Choose a pot that is 1/2 inch larger than the plant's current root ball. Doing so will ensure the root system will soak up the moisture quickly, preventing the plant from setting in soggy soil. A few last Tradescantia care tips: Select a pot with a drainage hole.

Do you cut back Tradescantia?

Pruning your Tradescantia should be part of your regular care routine. Pruning doesn't just remove the leggy stems, it will also make your plant grow more bushy and compact. When you prune and pinch off stem tips, the plant will grow two new shoots right from the pinched-off part. Leaving you with a much fuller plant.

Is Tradescantia a succulent?

Tradescantia, also known as the inch plant, and is native to North and South America. There are around 60 species, of which most are hanging plants, although there are also a few that grow upwards. Although it's not a succulent, the stems are able to store a fair amount of water.

How do I get my Tradescantia to bloom?

The plant needs repotting So in order to encourage flowering, you might want to keep the plant relatively tight in the pot — new plant lovers can sometimes enthusiastically re-pot too often (I'm sure we've all been there…!) which means the plant is consistently focused on growing new roots over leaves or blooms.

When should I repot my Tradescantia?

The beginning of the growing season is the optimal time for repotting your Tradescantia. These plants are dormant through the winter months and start growing in April.

Why do Tradescantia leaves curl?

Leaves curling inward is often a sign of dehydration from either too much light or not enough water. Leaves curling outward is more likely a sign of not enough light or too much water.

Should you mist Tradescantia?

The leaves are almost succulent like and therefore humidity is something you don't have to worry about a great deal. It will be worth misting the plant however if you start to notice the leaves becoming shriveled or brown leaf tips start to appear. You can also grow Tradescantia in an indoor bottle garden.

How do I make my Tradescantia more pink?

To enhance the glorious pink shades, I place my Tradescantia Tricolor next to a Mosaic Plant, Fittonia albivenis. This is a trailing plant with deep pink veins in the green leaves. They make a great pair.

Is Tradescantia easy to grow?

Yes, Tradescantia Nanouk is an easy-growing plant, however, you'll need to watch out for root rot (avoid getting the area between the leaves wet) and loss of leaf color (choose a growing spot with bright, indirect light).

What does bright indirect sunlight look like?

To sum up, bright, indirect light is bright enough to cast a shadow—though not a dark, clearly defined one—and to read by. It can be found near north- and east-facing windows or shaded south- and west-facing ones, as well as a few feet back from unshaded south- or west-facing windows.

What color are tradescantia leaves?

Tradescantia are much loved for their variegated leaves, deep purple color (although there are also green varieties!) and for how extremely easy they are to propagate. They make a lovely, understated statement in outdoor garden beds or planters, and are perhaps even more striking indoors when allowed to trail in hanging baskets.

How to keep tradescantia plants from turning brown?

Tradescantia thrive in humidity and they love a regular misting. Leaf tips will turn brown without adequate humidity. Placing the plant on a tray of pebbles in water is one way to ensure ambient moisture.

How to propagate Tradescantia?

There are a few ways to propagate your Tradescantia. You may simply pinch of a branch or a few branches and submerge the cuttings in fresh soil. With regular watering, you’ll begin to see new growth shortly. You can also root your cuttings in water if you prefer. Alternately, you can lay a longer stem of an inch plant across the soil and it will root where the nodes touch the soil.

What temperature do tradescantias like?

Tradescantia thrive in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees, so they do well in typical indoor temperatures. Outdoors, they prefer a mild climate that doesn’t drop below 50 degrees. Frost will kill them.

Why do tradescantias need pruning?

Due to the vining nature they’re named for, Tradescantia need regular pruning to maintain a pleasing, bushy appearance. Gardening Know How recommends pinching back about a fourth of the plant to “encourage branching and increase fullness.”

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Can tradescantia be passed from friend to friend?

Tradescantia are one of the types of plants that can be passed from friend to friend from pinched-off leaf cuttings, producing full-blown, trailing houseplants for a whole host of people. Propagation is also an easy and effective way to “refresh” your Tradescantia when it begins to show its age.

How much light does Tradescantia need?

Tradescantia can handle a range of light, but bright indirect light is necessary for this houseplant to thrive. Ideally, 8 hours of bright indirect light is best. Direct light can burn the leaves and the variegation may diminish or fade in low light settings.

How to keep tradescantias healthy?

Humidity. Extra dampness in the air will keep the Tradescantia happy and healthy. Finding a spot that is naturally humid, like a kitchen or bathroom is a good fit. If the leaves begin to dry out and turn brown along the edges then increase the humidity.

Why trim a tetrascantia?

Routinely trim the Tradescantia to promote new growth and maintain a compact and bushy appearance.

What temperature do inch plants like?

As a native of Mexico and South America, the Inch Plant likes warmer temperatures. Comfortable room temperature is good, but as long as the temperature stays between 60-80 degrees the plant will be just fine.

Can tradescantia be propagated in water?

H old on to some of the sections removed during pruning to propagate. Tradescantia can easily be propagated in water or soil. New plants can be added to the same pot as the mother plant to maintain a full and lush look as some sections die back.

Is the inch plant a good plant?

The Inch Plant is known as an easy care houseplant. It also has a reputation for being a fast grower, making it a great plant if you want to try your hand at propagation. Important! Tradescantia are poisonous if ingested, so be very careful if you have pets and/or small children.

Do tradescantias bloom?

Given the right care, Tradescantia will bloom, The delicate flowers are rather subdued, at least when compared to the eye-catching variegation of the leaves, but they do add a burst of color.

How to tell if a tradescantia is soaking up enough light?

A good way to test whether your tradescantia is soaking up enough rays is to pay attention to the vibrancy of the leaf markings. When the plant is a little light-starved, the leaves’ markings tend to start to fade.

What is the joy of the tradescantia genus?

Versatile, attractive and wonderfully unfussy; the joy of the tradescantia genus is that they’re relatively easy to keep healthy in a whole host of conditions.

What is the color of tradescantia?

Some of the more common varieties you may be familiar with are the tradescantia fulminensis, tradescantia albiflora and tradescantia zebrina – all of which are celebrated for their abundant foliage with delicate pink and purple hues alongside vibrant greens!

How big can Tradescantia grow?

Generally, a fully grown plant will reach between 30-60cm in size making it the perfect mid-sized addition to an indoor living space.

What is the tradescantia plant?

Spiderwort / Inch Plant / Indian Paint Plant / Wandering Jew / Cradle-Lily / Oyster Plant. A general name for a genus of around 75 different species of perennial wildflower, the tradescantia covers a lot of ground, and these pretty little plants have become a houseplant staple in Europe for ...

How cold can tradescantias survive?

Most tradescantia plants are able to survive and thrive in average temperatures anywhere between 15 and 26°C, so they’re the perfect fit for a cosy living space or a humid conservatory.

Where did tradescantia originate?

Native to the New World, tradescantia species stretch from southern Canada to northern Argentina and also populate the islands of the West Indies. Introduced to Europe in the 17th century as an ornamental plant, the genus has since been naturalised in many tropical regions in Africa, Asia and Australasia too.

Why is my plant getting yellow or brown leaves?

This is most often due to imbalances in potting mix moisture. Your plant either went too dry or too wet.

Why is my plant not purple anymore?

If your plant is not receiving enough light , the foliage will not retain its vivid colors anymore and will fade. Conversely, if you live in an area that has very strong sun and your plant is sitting in sun all day, this will also wash out the colors. Try and find a happy medium that your plant is happy with but give it some time to adjust.

Why is my plant not bushy?

If you have your plant in low light, it will also grow leggier. Make sure you’re providing enough light for your plant, and don’t be afraid to prune your plant regularly as this will encourage new growth and help keep your plant bushier.

What is the fastest growing indoor plant?

One of the most striking indoor foliage plants, the fast-growing Tradescantia zebrina (also known as Inch Plant) is a delight to grow and propagate. The iridescent purple and silvery leaves are stunning and grow in abundance if you can keep the plant happy! This is definitely an easy to care for houseplant, but there are some important tips ...

Where is Tradescantia zebrina native to?

Commonly known as Inch Plant, this plant is native to much of Mexico and down to Colombia. In nature they will creep on the ground and form beautiful dense mats of foliage.

Why are my potting mix leaves turning yellow?

Since yellow leaves can often be caused by opposite things (too dry or too wet), you have to feel your potting mix to know exactly what happened. Always use your finger to judge soil moisture and avoid using moisture meters.

What fertilizer should I use for my houseplants?

A regular regimen of fertilizing is always an important part of houseplant care. My favorite fertilizer, and the one I use for all of my houseplants, is Dyna-Gro Grow.

Why is my tradescantia nanouk leaf rot?

Watering the Tradescantia “Nanouk” from above might cause a leaf rot if the water gets trapped in leaves. Prevention is always better than having to deal with plant problems. Provide your Tradescantia with a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light and it will live happily and trouble-free.

How to grow a tradescantia?

Tips for growing a healthy, vigorous Tradescantia “Nanouk” 1 Keep your Tradescantia in bright, indirect light to encourage bright color of its leaves and compact growth; 2 Soak your plant from below to avoid leaf rot. It is always better to give the plant one good soaking with the excess water draining thoroughly than frequent watering; 3 Make sure the soil you use is free-draining and light; 4 In the fall and winter, water your plant less and do not fertilize in at all; 5 Keep the humidity levels between 40 to 60 percent.

How to tell if you are not giving your tradescantia enough light?

You will know that you are not giving your plant enough light if it starts looking leggy or its lovely colors start fading away and turning basic green. Too much light will turn the leaf edges crispy. Just the right amount of light will make your Tradescantia start forming buds and blooming in the growing season.

What temperature does a tradescantia grow in?

Tradescantia “Nanouk” thrives in daytime temperatures of up to 75°F degrees. The night temperatures should ideally remain in the mid-50°F (10°C).

How to grow a bush from cuttings?

You can also place cuttings in water until they grow roots. Trim the first few pairs of leaves before placing the cuttings in a jar half-filled with water (use distilled water if your water is hard.)

What happens if a tradescantia plant doesn't get enough light?

If the plant does not get enough light, it becomes leggy, resembling other trailing Tradescantias. Some growers prefer it, but they lose colored leaves as a price.

What is the best environment for tradescantia?

A humid environment is ideal for making your Tradescantia “Nanouk” happy and thriving. It is fairly easy to give it all humidity it needs. Many homes these days use humidifiers. If you do, your plant will thank you.

How to get Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk to grow?

Choose a place with bright, indirect light. Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plants are likely not receiving enough sun. If your plant is in a north-facing window, try switching it to the east side of your house. A sunny bathroom window is usually a great place to bring unhappy plants back to their lush state. While this plant can survive with less light, its colors and variegation will fade, and it may grow pale as leaves droop.

What temperature does Tradescantia Nanouk grow?

Tradescantia Nanouk grows well in daytime temperatures up to 75 degrees, with night temperatures ideally in the mid-50s.

How to keep Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk from getting too much sun?

Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plants are likely not receiving enough sun. If your plant is in a north-facing window, try switching it to the east side of your house.

How to propagate Tradescantia Nanouk?

Like its fellow Tradescantia and Zebrina species, Tradescantia Nanouk is very easy to propagate from tip and stem cuttings. Propagating in soil works well, but starting cuttings in water allows you to monitor root growth.

What is a Nanouk spiderwort?

Tradescantia Nanouk ( Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’), also known as Fantasy Venice, is a special type of spiderwort plant that’s become a must-have for plant lovers. Pink, white, purple, and green stripes pattern its lush leaves on upright stems.

Why is Tradescantia Nanouk prone to root rot?

It’s ideal to water the soil directly so that you avoid getting the area between the leaves wet, which can cause the plant to rot.

What is the best way to grow Tradescantia Nanouk?

Tradescantia Nanouk grows best in bright, indirect light, so a north- or east-facing window is best. Water your plant when the top inch or so of soil is dry, and take care not to let it completely dry out. North-facing windows will provide less light, so your plant will need less water there than in an east-facing window.

How to make Tradescantia Zebrina look beautiful?

You can help your tradescantia zebrina plant look beautiful by starting new smaller plants in the same pot as the aging plant (see the propagation section below). You can also just cut a plant down to the soil and use the cuttings to just create a totally new plant. Think of it as recycling.

How do I water Wandering Tradescantia Zebrina?

The wandering tradescantia zebrina plant is relatively patient with watering. It will enjoy a good soak, but it doesn’t like to be wet all the time. Let the soil get mostly dry before watering again. I usually just water when the top few inches feels dry.

What are the different types of tradescantia?

The most common variety is probably the Tradescantia Fluminensis, also known as the small-leaf spiderwort, river spiderwort, wandering willie, wandering gypsy, and more.

Why is the wandering Jew called the wandering Jew?

Raymond Apple who runs the website OzTorah answered a question about the name wandering jew, saying the plant bears the name because it “has a tendency to spread” and that this name was “probably given without conscious antisemitic malice.” Apparently there is also a bird called a wandering jew!

Where is the tradescantia zebrina plant?

But most people assume that, like the mythical Wandering Jew character cursed to wander the Earth forever, the tradescantia zebrina plant has wandered all around the world, from its native Mexico to temperatures under freezing. This hardy dude has been naturalized in Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and some oceanic islands.

What is the color of the leaves on a sage plant?

It has stunning deep purple and green leaves with silver stripes that grow quite densely, but there are different varieties. It’s a great houseplant for those of you who want to up the ante a bit from snake plants and pothos plants.

How to propagate a sage plant from cuttings?

There are three ways to do it. The first is by cutting off long stems and burying them in fresh, moist soil. The cuttings will begin to root, and you’ll probably see new growth within a few weeks.