Tradescantia Zebrina

Class

Monocotyledoneae

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Commelinaceae

Order

Commelinales

Genus

Tradescantia

Species

zebrine

Description

Perennial, evergreen rhizomatous geophyte with compact growth. With a drooping or creeping habit, it is used in hanging baskets, pots and tubs as well as for vertical walls, conferring high ornamental value with its striped or variegated lanceolate leaves, as evidenced by the specific epithet zebrina, and different shades depending on the variety.

Considered primarily an indoor plant, it can be placed on balconies and terraces in mild or temperate climate zones. It is easy to cultivate and has a high degree of ruticity, ensuring that it is exposed to light but out of direct sunlight and that irrigation management is free from waterlogging.

Curiosities and special features

Commonly called 'misery grass' due to its high resilience and adaptability to different environmental growing conditions and limited cultivation requirements.

Origin and distribution

A species native to the geographic range extending from Mexico to Colombia where it grows predominantly in the seasonally dry tropical biome.

Leaf

The alternate, evergreen leaves have an oblong or lanceolate lamina.

Leaf colour

The ornamental value of Tradescantia zebrina is conferred by its distinctive leaves with a zoned hue that tends to change colour; more precisely, in brightly lit areas the colouring becomes reddish while in the shade it tends to green.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.2 m, ideal for outdoor pots and tubs.

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen herb.

Where to plant

Because of its size and high rusticity, it is suitable for adding a decorative accent to vertical walls, small pots, and outdoor tubs.

Stem

The stems are herbaceous; the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a simple, small form with a star-shaped corolla and single-coloured petals. It flowers from early spring to mid-summer, with a flowering period of between 60 and 90 days. It is not particularly attractive to pollinating insects.

Growth

Plant with compact and uniform growth.

Plant habit

It develops a globular habitus.

Branching

Theabundant branching allows for a high density of decorative foliage.

PH

It prefers a substrate pH between 6.0 and 6.5.

Sun exposure

Suitable for the following types of exposure: outdoors on balconies or terraces in temperate zones, light source indoors, half-shade. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, particularly during the hottest hours of the day.

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 18 and 23 °C. The vital temperature is between 5 and 38 °C.

Use

Widely used in:
Indoor ornamental

It can also be placed in pots and tubs on balconies and terraces but in temperate climate zones.

Hardiness

A plant of medium-high hardiness, it adapts to different growing conditions and tolerates hot summer weather well.

Soil

Grow Tradescantia in a specific substrate for green plants, containing peat and fine perlite.

Difficulty

The easy cultivation gives the plant additional value for use.

Growing tips

Some specific cultivation guidelines to achieve the best vegetative development:
Avoid over-watering Shelter the plant indoors with temperatures below 12°C in good light conditions

Propagation

Propagation can be by means of such apical and node cuttings.

Watering

Keep the substrate moist but not saturated with water. If placed in an area with low light and low temperatures, limit watering to prevent the development of root rot. Excessive and stagnant water can lead to leaf yellowing.

Fertilising

During the spring-summer period, apply a specific fertiliser for green plants to the substrate, which is not dry but moist, and dilute it in the irrigation water. Do not exceed the dose and frequency, particularly in high temperatures to avoid leaf burns.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible

Toxicity for humans

Wear gloves when handling.

Tip

For good development, avoid heavy watering if the plant is placed in poorly lit, cold areas; in such cases, watering can be avoided even for prolonged periods (months).