These long - stem industrial plant can be grown as ground cover or houseplant .
BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Growing tradescantia ( also known as dayflower ) might cause flashback to the seventies but it still merits itspopularity as a houseplantor a groundcover . This tough tropical plant can have trailing or upright stems andcolorful foliage . reckon on the metal money , genus Tradescantia are typically purple and often variegate with ash gray , greens , creams , even pink , and now and again gold . Many of the wakeful - foliage variety have dark majestic undersides , which create a dramatic force .
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
Though not the main rationality they are produce , many varieties give rise little flowers that adorn the attractive foliage . Most often these three - petal blossoms are pinkish , purple , or white and typically at the stem tips . However , in some species these prime are at the base of the leaf in oysterlike clusters , hence the common name of huitre plant .
Where to Plant Tradescantia
If you ’re implant genus Tradescantia indoors , put it near a windowpane that let bright , collateral sun . If your tradescantia is embed outdoors , you ’ll need to check which variety you have before deciding where it will go . For the most part , these plantsdo best in full sun(except where it ’s very red-hot in the summertime ) , but do well in nuance , also .
Tradescantia Care Tips
fellow member of theTradescantiagenus are some of the simplest plant to grow , requiring small maintenance . They ’re also super easy to propagate and make a tremendous head - along industrial plant for friends .
Light
Tradescantias are quite tolerant of different sun exposures . For the best coloring , flora in full Dominicus , which generates the most blossoms possible . Inside , they tolerate just about any light level , but in ghost , they may become washed - out looking . Too small suncauses long-legged growing , meaning the stems grow in a stretched out way with few leaves on them . Indoor plant will benefit from expend some tender , sunny days outside in summer .
Soil and Water
Provide tradescantia withgeneral - purpose potting mixand in force drainage . When planted in the garden , most tradescantias favor maturate in moist soil with a pH pf 5 or 6 . In warmer clime , they work out beautifully as groundcover . Many of the trailing varieties form dull mats and will settle down everywhere the flora match the flat coat .
Because of their fleshy stems , tradescantias can hold an occasional drought . If they wilt , they ’ll unremarkably perk up quickly after a effective lachrymation . In container , H2O these plants on a regular basis to keep the soil consistently moist .
Temperature and Humidity
Tradescantia will be happy in the same type of environment most people wish . An indoor temperature of between 60 - 80 ° F is salutary for them . If tradescantia is grown outdoors , bring them inbefore the first frost , which can shoot down them .
Fertilizer
You do n’t have to feed Tradescantia , but they ’ll uprise more robustly if you dogive them a minuscule fertiliser . Only add plant food to Tradescantia in the spring and summer . employ fluid fertiliser at half strength each calendar month , or use a controlled - outlet fertilizer at planting time .
Pruning
Though it may not be necessary , an occasional pruning and grooming of genus Tradescantia will make for a more appealing plant . Some type tend to drop off their humbled leaves , make untempting naked prow . This is easily remedied by pinch the growing tips to boost more branching .
Potting and Repotting Tradescantia
Choose a raft with drainage holes and utilise fresh potting mix when you are planting tradescantia in a container . These plant don’tneed repotting very often , but if you notice roots poking out of drainage holes , choose a slightly gravid container to move your plant into . The best time to repot genus Tradescantia is in the leap .
Pests and Problems
The biggest cuss for tradescantia isaphids , which can be wash off awaywith a strong spray of urine . Other than that , there are n’t a good deal of issues that affect these plants . Keep an eye on their leaf for any sign of bugs , but diseases are rarified for this genus .
How to Propagate Tradescantia
Tradescantia can be propagate by partitioning or from clipping . Older plant with wads of emergence are sodding forstarting raw plants from clipping . This is easily done by snipping off a few inches of radical , removing the low leaves ( leave a few at the tip ) , and flummox the press clipping in water or damp soil . When pop out cutting in water , once root emerge , transplant to evenly moist soil . Cuttings in summer and declivity will respond well to replant .
Types of Tradescantia
There are 75 types ofTradescantia . Here are just a few of the most popular salmagundi you may grow .
Boat Lily
Tradescantia spathaceahas striking foliage , green on top and purplish - maroon below . Its small white flush are cradled in leaf axils , giving it the other vulgar names of Moses - in - the - place of origin and oyster plant . It is also sometimes calledRhoeo spathacea .
Silver Inch Plant
Tradescantia zebrinais a traditional sluttish - tending houseplant with variegated European olive tree and atomic number 47 foliage with purplish undersides . There ’s also a variety show with leaves that are majestic on both English with silvern green stripes on the upper surface . Stems root readily in pee or where they come in tangency with land .
Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida’Purpurea ' also depart by the nameSetcreasea purpurea . It is sometimes grown as a ground cover out of doors . Indoors it needs bright light to work out its attractive deep purple colouration . It can constitute low , short - lived , bright pinkish flowers .
Striped Inch Plant
Tradescantia fluminensisis a fast - growing vine with creamy chickenhearted banding on its leaves . It is also known asTradescantia albiflora .
‘Tricolor’ Boat Lily
Tradescantia spathacea’Tricolor ' is a striking white , magenta , and green motley form of boat lily . It has a fine texture and trail more promptly .
White Velvet Spiderwort
Tradescantia sillamontanahas medium unripened leaves densely comprehend in woolly white pilus . Magenta - pink flowers in summertime stand out against the silvery - blank foliation .
Tradescantia Companion Plants
Giant Wood Fern
Giantwood fernis a tad - loving knotty plant with a sheer grain .
Foamflower
Foamfloweris a low - growing perennial with white flowers .
Corydalis
hone for ghost , corydalis is a perennialwith showy blossoms .
Garden Plans for Tradescantia
Woodland Garden Plan
Add color and foliage to a suspect spot with this garden programme that let in three spiderworts .
Frequently Asked Questions
If left unchecked , some groundcover tradescantia plant can become invasive . In fact , inSouth Africaand the Galapagos Islands , it ’s been class as invasive and is no longer allowed to be implant or propagate . In the United States , the ashen - flowered spiderwort has beenfound to be invasivein some parts of the country , especially in Southern California and constituent of South Florida .
Tradescantia gets its name from Englishman John Tradescant , who first brought the plant to England from its native Mexico in the 17th century when he was document plants he find out in the New World .
One character of tradescantia , the Virginia spiderwort ( Tradescantia virginiana)was used by the Cherokee the great unwashed and other aboriginal American kindred for treating bug bites and skin rash , as well as cancer .
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Mike Jensen
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
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Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
