Inch Plant
Tradescantia zebrina
A trailing perennial houseplant featuring striking leaves with alternating stripes of metallic silver and deep purple, and a distinct purple underside.
- Light
- Bright, indirect light for about 6 hours per day; tolerates partial shade but colors may fade.
- Water
- Water deeply when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. Drought tolerant for short periods, but sensitive to waterlogged soil which causes root rot.
- Growth
- Trailing perennial vine that grows quickly to a mature height of 6 to 12 inches and spreads up to 2 to 3 feet.
Care instructions
Provide bright, indirect sunlight to maintain vibrant foliage color. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil becomes dry, and use a well-draining potting mix. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every month during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Bright, indirect light for about 6 hours per day; tolerates partial shade but colors may fade.
Watering
Water deeply when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry. Drought tolerant for short periods, but sensitive to waterlogged soil which causes root rot.
Soil
Well-draining, peat-based potting mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11; grown as an indoor houseplant in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Trailing perennial vine that grows quickly to a mature height of 6 to 12 inches and spreads up to 2 to 3 feet.
Bloom season
Blooms intermittently throughout spring and summer with small, three-petaled flowers in shades of pink or light purple.
Propagation
Easily propagated through stem cuttings placed in water or directly into moist potting soil, rooting within a couple of weeks.
Common pests & issues
Prone to root rot if overwatered, and leggy growth if lighting is insufficient. Common pests include aphids and mealybugs, managed by wiping leaves or applying insecticidal soap.
Similar species
Tradescantia pallida, which has solid purple elongated leaves without the silver stripes, and Tradescantia fluminensis, which features green and white striped foliage.