About
A trailing, evergreen perennial houseplant, with fleshy dark green leaves that are striped light pink and cream with a purple, densly hairy underside. Tiny white flowers are produced intermittently throughout the year.
About the genus
Tradescantia can be trailing or tufted perennials with usually fleshy, evergreen foliage and distinctive, 3-petalled flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightPartial shade
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHNeutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH1C
Plant details
Plant typeHouseplants, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitSpreading branched, Trailing
FoliageEvergreen
HeightUp to 10 cm
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesHouseplants
ToxicityContact with foliage may irritate skin
Care notes
CultivationGrow in peat-free compost. Place in bright, filtered light but not direct sunlight. Pinch the growing tips to keep bushy and pinch out any plain green shoots of variegated cultivars. Plain green reverted shoots, if left, will take over the variegated growths.
PruningPinch growth tips to encorage bushiness and remove plain green shoots from variegated cultivars, to stop reversion
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings using stem tips in spring and summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids, vine weevil and thrips
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free