PlantWhy

Tradescantia (inch plant)

Tradescantia zebrina · Houseplant

Quick answer: Water: When the topsoil is dry, about weekly (estimated). Light: Bright indirect light indoors; light shade outdoors. Soil: General well-drained potting mix (estimated). Pets: No separate ASPCA record for this species; it is not generally known to be toxic. A related species (Tradescantia fluminensis) is listed by ASPCA for skin irritation, and the sap can irritate sensitive skin. If in doubt, ask your vet.

A fast trailing plant with striped silver-and-purple leaves, ideal for hanging baskets and shelves. It roots so easily from cuttings that one plant can quickly become several.

Tradescantia (inch plant)
Photo: Ruestz, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
💧WaterWhen the topsoil is dry, about weekly (estimated)
☀️LightBright indirect light
🐾PetsNo separate ASPCA record

Care at a glance

Light
Bright indirect light indoors; light shade outdoors
Water
Water when the top of the soil has dried
Soil
General well-drained potting mix (estimated)
Temperature
Frost-tender; keep above 50 °F (estimated)
Pot size
6–8 in pot or hanging basket (estimated)
Container
Pot with drainage holes
Growth
Trails; 6–12 in high
Lifespan
Perennial; refresh from cuttings every few years (estimated)

When?

Take cuttings and repot in spring or summer. It can go outdoors only after the danger of frost has passed, and should come back in before cold nights.

Step by step

  1. Give bright indirect light; low light makes stems leggy and colors fade.
  2. Water thoroughly, then let the top of the soil dry before the next watering.
  3. Pinch the stem tips regularly to keep the plant bushy.
  4. Cut back long bare stems and root the pieces to refill the pot.
  5. Root cuttings in water or moist potting mix; no rooting hormone is needed.
  6. Handle stems gently; they snap easily at the nodes.
  7. If you feed, use a houseplant fertilizer and follow the product label instructions.

Common problems

Long, bare stems with few leavesToo little light; move to a brighter spot and pinch back.
Washed-out leaf colorToo much direct sun; move to bright shade.
Brown, crispy leaf tipsDry soil or very dry air; water more evenly.
Mushy stems at soil levelOverwatering; let the soil dry more between waterings.

Pets

No separate ASPCA record for this species; it is not generally known to be toxic. A related species (Tradescantia fluminensis) is listed by ASPCA for skin irritation, and the sap can irritate sensitive skin. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Related tools

Soil and mulch calculator

Similar plants

PothosSpider PlantPeperomia

Sources

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.