Issue #26

Help! My Tradescantia Is Leggy and Losing Colour

I hope you’ve had a great week!

This week, I wanted to talk about something I think many of us have faced—a Tradescantia that’s looking leggy, pale, and just not growing like it should. It’s a question I got from a follower recently, and I thought it was the perfect topic to talk about.

I’ll walk you through what’s causing the problem and, more importantly, how to fix it. Plus, I’ve started an exciting new project: growing Tradescantias from seeds! I’m trying a new setup and can’t wait to tell you more about it.

Let’s get started!

Tradescantia of the Week: Zebrina Pink Paradise

I bet you’ve seen the Pink Paradise by now! It first showed up about a year ago and quickly became a favorite among Tradescantia lovers. It started popping up in Europe, but I think it’s made its way to the US by now too. It’s easy to see why it’s become so popular—it has those gorgeous pink leaves with silvery stripes that really catch your eye.

When it first appeared, I heard a lot of people had trouble keeping it alive and healthy. Mine was doing okay, but it grew really slowly, and the leaves were much smaller compared to other Zebrinas. This might be because it’s likely treated with growth regulators when sold.

Now, though, the growth has picked up, and while the leaves are still a bit smaller than usual, it’s just as healthy as my other Zebrinas. It’s even flowered a couple of times already, with tiny pink blooms that are such a lovely bonus!

This Week's Plant Project

I’ve been trying for a while to pollinate my Tradescantias and get seeds, but with very little luck. It always seemed like my plants took turns flowering, which made pollinating nearly impossible. But a few weeks ago, I finally managed it! I successfully cross-pollinated a Purple Pixie and an Ocampo White. After waiting patiently for the seeds to mature, I ended up with four tiny seeds ready to plant!

Now comes the next tricky part. I’m terrible at growing anything from seeds—I always forget to water, the soil dries out, and so do the seeds. So this time, I’m trying something different.

I have a hydroponic planter that I haven’t used in a while (to be honest, I forgot to refill the water in it last time, and my poor veggies didn’t stand a chance). But I think it could work perfectly for this experiment. It has built-in grow lights, which will be a big help during these darker winter months. My plan is to fill it with sphagnum moss and hope for the best.

What do you think? I promise to update you later on how it goes—fingers crossed these little seeds grow! 🌱

Tradescantia Troubleshooting:

Help! My Tradescantia Is Leggy and Losing Colour

This week, I got a question from a follower on Instagram. His Tradescantia had long, stretched-out stems, widely spaced leaves, weak stems, and looked pale and colourless. Plus, it wasn’t growing much at all. What’s happening?

A Tradescantia with leggy, stretched-out stems and pale, spaced-out leaves is a clear sign it’s not getting enough light. The common advice to give Tradescantias "bright indirect light" often results in them getting too little light. These plants love light and can handle much more than most people think—especially indoors.

In fact, Tradescantias can thrive in full light as long as they’re introduced to it gradually. Place them in your brightest window, and if that’s not an option or still doesn’t seem enough, consider using grow lights. With more light, you’ll soon notice it growing better, with stronger stems and more vibrant colours.

If your plant is already damaged with long, leggy stems, don’t worry. Just start fresh! Cut it back, save as many healthy cuttings as you can, and replant them in a new pot. With better light conditions, they’ll bounce back quickly.

Do you have a problem with your Tradescantia that you’re wondering about? Hit reply or send me your questions to katja@exploringtradescantias.com—I'd love to know what struggles you have and I’ll do my best to answer them all! 🌿

Thanks for Reading!

I hope this newsletter has given you some helpful tips for keeping your Tradescantias happy. Whether you’re dealing with leggy plants or just curious about what’s next in my seed-growing project, I’m so glad you’re along for the ride!

I also want to start a new section in this newsletter where I’ll show off your Tradescantias! Want to be featured in the next newsletter? Send me an email with a picture of your favorite Tradescantia, and I’ll be in touch!

Until next time, happy planting! 🌿

Katja

P.S. Did you know I have a Tradescantia-themed t-shirt? If you love these plants as much as I do, you’ll love this design!

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