Inch plant care
Purple and silver striped leaves on fast-trailing stems. (Tradescantia zebrina)
- Light
- Bright, indirect light
- Water
- Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry…
- Cats
- Toxic
- Dogs
- Toxic
Care card
Light
Bright, indirect light: near a window but out of strong midday sun.
Water
Water when the top inch or two of soil is dry, then let the extra drain away. Never leave the pot standing in water.
Humidity
Likes some humidity. Keep it away from heater vents.
Soil and pot
A light, well-drained potting mix in a pot with a drainage hole.
Feeding
Feed every month or so in spring and summer with a houseplant fertilizer at half strength. None in winter.
Through the year
Spring
New growth starts. Begin feeding again, and repot if roots come out of the bottom.
Summer
Water more often as it grows. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun through glass.
Autumn
Growth slows. Stop feeding and let the soil dry a little more between drinks.
Winter
Water less. Keep it away from cold windows, drafts and radiators.
Leaf trouble?
Why houseplant leaves turn yellow
Several yellow leaves at once usually mean the roots are staying wet. Feel the…How often to water a houseplant
There is no single weekly schedule. Water when that plant's soil says so, then…Brown tips and crispy edges
Brown tips usually mean dry air, a pot that dried out too far, or minerals in…Drooping houseplant leaves
Droop can mean thirst or roots that are too rotten to drink. Feel the soil…Fungus gnats and other small pests
Fungus gnats breed in mix that never dries. Letting the top layer dry, and…Background
Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is a species of creeping plant in the Tradescantia genus. Common names include silver inch plant and wandering Jew. The latter name is controversial, and some now use the alternative wandering dude.
From Wikipedia’s article Tradescantia zebrina, by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
More leafy tropical plants
Sources
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control: toxic and non-toxic plants Pet safety
- Wikipedia: Tradescantia zebrina Background