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Tradescantia zebrina (Silver inch plant)
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1 hour care
per year
per year
0.15m
Max height
Max height
0.3m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Tradescantia zebrina
Other names
Silver inch plant, Wandering sailor, Wandering Jew, Tradescantia pendula, Tradescantia tricolor, Tradescantia zebrina pendula
Genus
Tradescantia Tradescantia
Species
T. zebrina - T. zebrina is a tender, trailing, evergreen perennial with ovate, silver-banded, dark green leaves, dark purple beneath, and small, terminal clusters of tiny, purple-pink flowers intermittently throughout the year.
Tradescantia zebrina is: Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
Flower
Purple-pink in All seasons
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Flushed purple, Dark-green, Variegated, Striped in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Specific pests
Aphids , Vine weevil Aphids , Vine weevil
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
After flowering, cut spent flower stems back to prevent seeding and to encourage further flowers. Pinch stems to encourage bushier growth. Prune hard in early spring to rejuvenate.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
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Where to grow
Tradescantia zebrina (Silver inch plant) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Hanging baskets, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loamless or loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. In growth, water moderately & feed monthly;sparingly in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Tradescantia zebrina
Other names
Silver inch plant, Wandering sailor, Wandering Jew, Tradescantia pendula, Tradescantia tricolor, Tradescantia zebrina pendula
Genus
Tradescantia Tradescantia
Species
T. zebrina - T. zebrina is a tender, trailing, evergreen perennial with ovate, silver-banded, dark green leaves, dark purple beneath, and small, terminal clusters of tiny, purple-pink flowers intermittently throughout the year.
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Trailing
Awards
RHS AGM (Award of Garden Merit)
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Colour
Flower
Purple-pink in All seasons
Foliage
Silvery-grey, Flushed purple, Dark-green, Variegated, Striped in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest-free.
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
After flowering, cut spent flower stems back to prevent seeding and to encourage further flowers. Pinch stems to encourage bushier growth. Prune hard in early spring to rejuvenate.
Propagation methods
Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Tradescantia zebrina (Silver inch plant) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Conservatory, Containers, Foliage only, Greenhouse, Hanging baskets, Indoor, Low Maintenance
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loamless or loam-based compost in bright, filtered light. In growth, water moderately & feed monthly;sparingly in winter. Outdoors in frost-free areas, grow in fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade.
Soil type
Clay, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, East
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Clay, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Moisture-retentive | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, East | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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