Tradescantia
One of the few trailing plants with purple and silver foliage. Sometimes called the “Purple Passion” plant. each leaf is painted with a muted silvery green stripe. A moderately fast grower which can be grown outside the UK summer and kept indoors in the winter and autumn.
The plants leaves have an eye catching shimmer to them when they catch the light making this a popular choice as a statement piece plant for home and office.
Country of Origin:
Native to the Americas, from southern Canada to Northern Argentina.
Size:
Reaches up to 24 inches (60cm) in height. and 35 inches (90cm) wide (including the drop) and width in 2 - 5 years.
Flowering:
Small three petaled blooms in white, pink, purple and blue in the spring and summer.
Lifespan
With the right care this plant can live for between 2 - 5 years from full size.
Toxicity
This plant is poisonous to humans and pets if ingested.
Care Guide:
Light: This plant enjoys bright but indirect light. Near a bright window with lots of indirect sunlight works best.
Tradescantia will also thrive under artificial and grow lights (if they are placed minimum 50 inches above it) making it ideal for office spaces aswell as home.
Water: This plant like to be kept lightly moist at all times. Water the plant when it begins to feel even slightly dry. Be careful not to water log the plant as this will result in blackening of the beautiful purple leaves.
As a general rule of thumb - 50ml of water should be added for every 10cm of pot size.
This plant will handle British unfiltered tap water.
Humidity: This plant does best in moderate to high humidity 40% - 70% RH is ideal. A bathroom or a kitchen provide best humidty, and for other rooms weekly misting of the leaves is encouraged.
Temperature: 15c - 24c is ideal. The plant can not tolerate lower temperatures than 10c. Avoid placing near open windows or drafty doors in the cooler months.
For any additonal questions please come to our stall at Portobello market for a friendly chat about your plants needs.
For a personalised care plan for your plant, and an evaluation of your space to ensure conditions are perfect please contact us via the services page and we’ll be happy to help!
