How to care for a Tradescantia plant

Tradescantias are beautiful blossoming plants that are a sight to behold . They are easy to maintain and, even though they are mildly toxic to pets, they are a fan favorite here at the Plantsome office!

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  • Moderate
  • Once every year
  • Bright, Indirect to Medium
  • Toxic
  • Monthly

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  • Hailing from Mexico, this plant has leaves that can grow up to seven inches in length.
  • While it might not rank high in the air purification department, this plant looks great in any office, especially if put in a well-lit area. This way it will grow stunningly purple leaves.
  • A mildly poisonous, but not deadly plant. Pets might try to eat it because the purple leaves are that good-looking, but they'll probably regurgitate it. In rare cases, people or animals can have skin irritation.
  • They like moist soil but the most important thing here is not to water directly into the center of the plant, which can cause rot. As for frequency, just remember to water when the soil is about 50% dry.
  • In the summer be sure to give the plant a lot of indirect light to grow those great deep purple leaves. Direct light can burn your Tradescantia, so beware. In low light conditions, the plant can still survive, although it will lose its vivid purple hues.
  • Give it a half-strength liquid fertilizer on a monthly basis.
  • This is a fast grower and like to be re-potted regularly. You might lose a few stems in the process; that's to be expected, due to their fragility.
  • This plant blossoms fast, especially during the warmer months. This plant is also easy to propagate. If you want to grow more Tradescantias simply cut one of the stems down to the soil and use the cutting to create another plant from scratch.
  • The most common problem is excess watering and root rot (see Watering). Try choosing a pot with ample drainage. And remember not to water it from the crown! Other than that, avoid spider mites by keeping the humidity high. Spritzing occasionally will help with that.

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