Tradescantia - home care, types and varieties, benefits and harms

Tradescantia is the name of a genus of evergreen plants native to the Americas, in tropical and temperate climates. Species within this genus are often grown indoors, as they are easier to care for indoors, where it's easier to achieve the necessary high humidity and a constant average temperature.

Growing this plant isn't particularly difficult, yet rewarding: all varieties have high ornamental value, making them a stunning addition to any room or greenhouse. This flower is beautiful not only during flowering; its unusual foliage attracts attention and makes it stand out from other species.

Characteristics of varieties and types of tradescantia with names

Tradescantia is a perennial plant characterized by flexible, long, rapidly growing stems. The fleshy shoots bear oblong oval leaves, attached by short petioles. The flowers can be a solid or variegated green.

The leaf surface can be either smooth or fuzzy. During the flowering period, which begins at different times of the year, spiderworts produce small inflorescences consisting of numerous buds. However, only a couple of buds may open at a time. The flowers have long stamens, delicate petals, and a dark green calyx.

Among the 75 known species of tradescantia grown indoors, some varieties are particularly popular and widely cultivated: although their differences may seem insignificant in photographs at first glance, when purchasing flowers and creating floral arrangements with them, their unique features become more apparent.

Tradescantia albiflora is one of the most well-known varieties, divided into two cultivars: "Aurea" (with yellow leaves and a greenish stripe) and "Tricolor" (with a green leaf blade and lilac and white stripes). The leaves grow up to 6 cm long and 2 cm wide. The shoots bear clusters of small white flowers.

The Tradescantia fluviatile is a flower with numerous fragile purple stems that rise above the ground. The plant has numerous, but small, leaves—2-3 cm long. The underside of the leaf matches the color of the stem.

Tradescantia blossfeldiana is characterized by dense, reddish-green shoots and oval leaves with sharp edges. Their outer surface is dark green with hints of red. The flower has very unusual axillary inflorescences: they are a rich purple, covered with long, silvery hairs.

Tradescantia zebrina (trailing plant) is a trailing plant grown in hanging pots for interior decoration. Its leaf blades feature contrasting light green, silver, and red colors.

This variety is divided into several types, each with its own characteristics:

• hanging - a widespread species known for its medicinal properties;
• purple - does not have a clear pattern on the leaves, the color of which is reddish-olive;
• flocculose - leaves are whitish, pubescent and very soft.

You may be interested in:

Maranta - home care, signs and superstitions, types and propagation
Maranta, a flowering plant that impresses with its decorative qualities, has become especially popular in floriculture.Read more…

Rules for caring for tradescantia at home

Although tradescantia is not the most demanding plant, novice gardeners may encounter problems with its appearance deteriorating. The most common problems and solutions include:

• there are few leaves, they are very small, and the shoots are too long - the lighting is poor, the flower needs to be moved to an eastern or southern window;
• the color of the leaves has changed, become washed out and pale - the lighting is either too bright or not enough;
• the cessation of growth of tradescantia indicates excessive dampness of the air and soil;

  

• the leaves turn brown – you need to stop watering with cold water and start using warm, settled liquid;
• dried leaf tips – the air in the room is not humid enough, regular spraying is needed (especially important during the heating season);
• The leaf blades have drooped and become soft – it’s too cold in the room.

To enhance the plant's appearance, it should be tied and supported if it's not growing in a hanging pot. A vertical support can be inserted into the soil where the plant is growing, and the stems can be tied with string. Wall hangers can also be used for decoration and support; the spiderwort will climb up on them.

To help the plant acclimate, it should be repotted in new soil and fertilized. However, if the spider plant was purchased in winter or fall, it's best to wait until spring before repotting. If necessary, repotting in winter is possible, but be sure to provide the plant with additional lighting.

Unlike some houseplants that can be planted outdoors in summer, this is not recommended for spiderworts. Slugs and mites can easily infest them, and the scorching midday sun can scorch the leaves. However, you can take the pot outside in the morning and evening, keeping it in partial shade and misting it regularly.

Choosing soil and pot

The basic requirements for a substrate for spiderwort are lightness, breathability, neutrality, and nutritional value. To create such a soil, you can purchase potting soil from a store and mix it with natural minerals: vermiculite and agroperlite (3 parts soil to 1 part of each mineral).

This type of soil is loose, dries quickly, and provides air flow to the root system, preventing water from stagnating.

The pot itself should be wide but shallow, and have holes to allow excess water to drain. Plastic or hardwood pots are preferable. Avoid ceramic pots, as they can easily overcool the roots.

You may be interested in:

Caring for a Yucca Plant at Home (24 photos)
Yucca is a striking example of exotic evergreens. The flower is most actively cultivated in Mexico,…Read more…

Lighting and temperature conditions

The room light should be very bright but diffused; scorching direct sunlight will burn the plant's leaves. A plant placed on a brightly lit windowsill can be shaded with translucent Roman shades. You can tell if the light is too low by the pattern on the leaf blades: it becomes blurry, indistinct, and pale. Optimal lighting can be achieved by placing the spiderwort pot near a west- or east-facing window.

In spring and summer, maintain a room temperature of 23-25˚C (73-77˚F), and take the plant outdoors in warm weather. If this isn't possible, ventilate the room once or twice a day, but avoid drafts. In winter, maintain a room temperature of 14-16˚C (57-60˚F); lower temperatures will kill the plant. Ventilation is necessary during the cold season, but it should be minimal, and there should be no cold air currents in the room. Sudden temperature fluctuations are also unacceptable.

Air humidity, watering and fertilization

The optimal humidity for spiderwort is 60-70%. To maintain this level of humidity, the plant can be misted with a spray bottle. When misting, avoid getting liquid on the underside of the leaves. Watering frequency depends on the season: in summer, water the plant every 3-4 days, and in winter, every 5-6 days. Watering is unnecessary even in hot weather if the top 2-3 cm of soil has not yet dried out. Overwatering can cause root rot.

Fertilizer application depends on the plant species. Green spiderwort requires fertilization every 10-14 days, starting from late February until early fall. Mineral fertilizers should be alternated with organic ones. In winter, the plant can be fertilized, but not more than once a month.

Variegated spiderworts should only be fed with mineral fertilizer, as organic fertilizers can cause the leaves to lose their original color. Fertilizing should be done every 14 days during warmer months. During the dormant period, fertilizer should be applied to the soil every 1.5 months, reducing the dose by half.

Trimming

Because the plant grows quickly and loses its decorative appeal, it requires regular formative pruning. Tradescantia tolerates this treatment well and thrives afterward. The first pruning of the year should be done after wintering, in late February or early March.

Diseases and pests

Like all houseplants, spiderworts are susceptible to diseases and pests if not properly cared for. If the room temperature is too high, there's a high risk of thrips (small insects and discolored spots are visible on the leaves) and spider mites (webs appear in the internodes, causing the leaves to become limp and fall off).

Insecticide treatments, 2-3 times at weekly intervals, will help control thrips. Spider mites can be eliminated by increasing air humidity, wiping the outside of the leaves with a sponge soaked in soapy water, and treating with an insecticide.

Spiderworts can also be a breeding ground for aphids, scale insects, and slugs. Effective insect control methods:

• treatment with a solution of laundry soap and water or insecticide;
• wiping the plant with cotton wool soaked in an alcohol solution (4 times a week);
• mechanical cleaning of leaves and use of soap solution.

Common diseases affecting spiderworts include powdery mildew and gray mold. Treating the former with a fungicide on the leaves and soil every 7 days helps. Gray mold is a consequence of excess air and soil humidity. Affected areas should be removed, the room should be ventilated more frequently, and watering should be reduced.

You may be interested in:

Euonymus: varieties, care and propagation features
Euonymus (Latin: Euonymus) is a shrub that comes in many varieties and is largely…Read more…

How to propagate and transplant a flower at home

There are three main ways to propagate spiderwort: cuttings, division, and sowing seeds. The first method is simple and can be used year-round. The following is a step-by-step guide for propagating spiderwort:

1. From an adult flower, you need to separate the cuttings (5-6 pieces) and remove the leaves on the lower internodes.
2. Place the cuttings in water for 7-10 days, cover them with a bag or jar.

   

3. Once strong roots appear, remove the jar and plant the cuttings in nutrient-rich soil in separate small cups. Once the flowers have grown, they can be transplanted into larger pots and cared for as mature plants.

Dividing a bush is the fastest method and helps produce several mature plants at once. This method is only suitable for mature (2-3 years old) and very large plants. This procedure can be performed in the spring before repotting the plant.

The soil should be loosened, the entire bush should be removed from the pot, and the roots should be freed of any remaining soil clumps. You can divide the bush with a knife or by hand, but do so quickly and carefully. The divided parts should be replanted in separate containers, watered with warm water, and a complex fertilizer should be added to the soil.

Of the methods presented, seed propagation requires the most effort. Furthermore, this method sometimes leads to the loss of varietal traits. To ensure germination, prepare fertile soil mixed with sand. The seeds are planted in the soil, watered with warm water, and covered with plastic wrap. During germination, maintain a room temperature of 20˚C and bright, indirect light. The greenhouse should be regularly ventilated, and the seedlings should be misted. Plants grown this way can flower in their third year.

Young plants will need repotting every 2-3 years, while older plants can be repotted as needed. Emergency repotting is necessary if the root ball has become soggy or the root system has become too extensive.

When repotting, use a pot that's slightly larger than the previous one, has drainage holes, and a layer of drainage. If the old soil is in good condition, there's no need to remove it from the roots: simply move the plant to the new pot and add fresh soil. After repotting, water the plant.

The benefits and harms of tradescantia for the home

You can grow spiderwort at home not only for interior decoration but also for medicinal and preventative purposes. The plant acts as a filter for purifying and humidifying the air, which is beneficial for the respiratory system. When used externally, the plant promotes the healing of wounds and burns, and when used internally, it helps with gastrointestinal ailments and sore throats.

There's a common belief that spiderwort is an indicator of a room's energy. Even with good care, the plant won't thrive in areas with negative energy. However, the plant can also be grown to improve relationships between family members: it has a positive effect on mood and helps avoid family quarrels.

If a flower suddenly dries up despite careful care, this may be evidence that it has warded off damage or the evil eye from its owners.

Growing this flower is recommended for people who rarely smile and feel unhappy and depressed. It is believed that spiderwort attracts positive emotions and helps one find happiness in simple, everyday things. Caring for this flower promotes a carefree spirit, improves one's sense of humor, and enhances the ability to cope with setbacks.

The benefits of spiderwort for the home also depend on its placement: it is advisable to grow it in the kitchen and study, but it should not be grown in the bedroom: the harm from it in this room is that it, like any climbing plant, can lead to a loss of love between spouses.

Frequently asked questions about growing

Tradescantia is a good choice for beginning gardeners and an easy-to-care-for plant for professionals. It's easy and pleasant to care for: it's undemanding in terms of growing conditions and complements any interior.