These long-stemmed plants can be grown as groundcovers or houseplants.
This tough tropical plant can have trailing or upright stems andcolorful foliage.
Many of the light-foliage varieties have dark purple undersides, which creates a dramatic effect.
Credit:BHG / Kelli Jo Emanuel
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.
They’re also super easy to propagate and makes a wonderful pass-along plant for friends.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Light
Tradescantias are quite tolerant of different sun exposures.
For the best coloring,plant 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.
Credit: Mike Jensen
Indoor plants will benefit from spending some warm, sunny days outside in summer.
Soil and Water
Provide tradescantia withgeneral-purpose potting mixand good drainage.
In warmer climates, they work beautifully as groundcover.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Many of the trailing varieties form dense mats and will root everywhere the plants touch the ground.
Because of their fleshy stems, tradescantias can withstand an occasional drought.
If they wilt, they’ll usually perk up quickly after a good watering.
Credit: Dean Schoeppner
In containers, water these plants regularly to keep the soil consistently moist.
Temperature and Humidity
Tradescantia will be happy in the same bang out of environment most people like.
An indoor temperature of between 60-80F is best for them.
Credit: Jay Wilde
If tradescantia is grown outdoors, bring them inbefore the first frost, which can kill them.
Only 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.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
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.
The best time to repot tradescantia is in the spring.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
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.
How to Propagate Tradescantia
Tradescantia can be propagated by division or from cuttings.
Older plants with lots of growth are perfect forstarting new plants from cuttings.
When starting cuttings in water, once roots emerge, transplant to evenly moist soil.
Cuttings in summer and fall will respond best to replanting.
Types of Tradescantia
There are 75 types ofTradescantia.
Here are just a few of the most popular varieties you could grow.
Boat Lily
Tradescantia spathaceahas striking foliage, green on top and purple-maroon beneath.
It is also sometimes calledRhoeo spathacea.
Stems root readily in water or where they come in contact with soil.
Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida’Purpurea' also goes by the nameSetcreasea purpurea.
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.
Striped Inch Plant
Tradescantia fluminensisis a fast-growing vine with creamy yellow striations on its leaves.
It is also known asTradescantia albiflora.
It has a finer texture and trails more readily.
White Velvet Spiderwort
Tradescantia sillamontanahas medium green leaves densely covered in woolly white hairs.
Magenta-pink flowers in summer stand out against the silvery-white foliage.
Foamflower
Foamfloweris a low-growing perennial with white flowers.
Corydalis
Perfect for shade,corydalis is a perennialwith showy blossoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
If left unchecked, some groundcover tradescantia plants can become invasive.
