Care of the indoor plant Tradescantia zebrina or Spiderwort |
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The genus Tradescantia, family Commelinaceae, comprises 30 species of herbaceous and perennial plants native to the American continent. Some species are: Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia spathacea, Tradescantia sillamontana, Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia multiflora, Tradescantia fluminensis, Tradescantia albiflora, Tradescantia brevicaulis. Common names: Spiderwort, Inchplant, Wandering jew, Silver inch plant. This species is native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala. They are creeping or hanging plants with attractive oval-shaped leaves that are green and silver on the upper side and purple on the underside. The flowers are small and blue or purple. They bloom in summer. They are used as indoor greenhouse and terrace plants in hanging pots or in a window; They are also used as covers under trees and shrubs. Tradescantia zebrina grows in semi-shadow or dimmed light exposures. They do not resist temperatures below 15 ºC (59 ºF). The soil can be a commercial indoor plant substrate with 15% coarse sand. Transplantation or planting is done in the fall or spring. Water regularly with lime-free water throughout the year except in winter (greatly reduce watering). They resist short periods of drought. They do not need fertilizers. They can be lightly pruned to control their growth. They are plants very resistant to pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring, by division of the plant in autumn or spring or by cuttings. |
Images of the indoor plant Tradescantia zebrina or Spiderwort |
 Tradescantia zebrina  Tradescantia zebrina |