Issue #33

Tradescantia Q&A: 11 Questions Answered

Have you ever wondered what to do when your pink variegated Tradescantias suddenly turn green?

You're not alone, and that's one of the topics we're covering this week! Earlier this week, I reached out for your Tradescantia questions, and you certainly delivered.

I'll talk about the difference between Pallida and Purple Heart, the secrets to successful propagation, and share tips on how to handle those pesky leaf spots.

But there's more! Meet Sarah from the UK in our Community Highlight and learn about her stunning Zebrina. Plus, don't miss our Tradescantia of the Week, Spathacea Cream!

Tradescantia of the week:

Spathacea Cream

This week, I wanted to talk about Spathacea Cream!

It's a yellow variegated Tradescantia, about the same size as Spathacea Sitara.

Spathaceas, often called Rhoeo, are quite different from other Tradescantias, they grow in upright rosettes with longer leaves and a more compact way of growing. There are a couple of Spathaceas in circulation today, all of them much smaller than the wild species.

Cream has been around since 2021-2022 and is mostly found among collectors in Europe. It has long, narrow leaves that are completely hairless. It has sectoral variegation, meaning that the variegation shows up in random stripes on the leaves, varying in size, but each stripe extends from the base to the end of the leaf.

Tradescantia Q & A: All your questions anwered

Earlier this week, I asked you all on Instagram to send in your questions about Tradescantias, and you came through with some great ones!

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Question:​
I have a Tradescantia Zebrina, and it keeps falling over the sides of the pot, so I have staked it. Does it like doing this, or does it need support?

Answer:​
Tradescantias are naturally creeping plants, which means they spread along the ground and root wherever they touch. They start growing upwards, but as they get longer, they become too heavy to support themselves and begin to fall over. This is completely normal, and using stakes to keep them upright isn't normal for them. However, it's all up to you and how you want your plant to look. If you prefer it more upright, one way is to keep the stems shorter by trimming them back whenever they get too long to support themselves. Otherwise, it’s perfectly fine to let them fall over and grow however they want.

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Question: The stems on my Tradescantia are dying at the base but are still alive at the ends. What should I do?

Answer: As I mentioned earlier, Tradescantias are creeping plants. Having stems that only attach to the soil at one point is not natural for them, and they will eventually not be able to support themselves. When a stem becomes too long to support itself, the base of the stem gets weak, and the leaves start turning brown. This is totally normal. The length at which the stems start to struggle varies from one type of Tradescantia to another. To avoid this, just make sure to regularly trim and replant the ends, "chop and prop".

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Question: What's the difference between Purple Heart and Pallida? They look so similar!

Answer: Purple Heart and Pallida often get mixed up, but they refer to slightly different things. Pallida is the name of a Tradescantia species, to which Purple Heart belongs. However, the name Purple Heart is an incorrect nickname that's often used for two types of Tradescantia Pallida: Purpurea and Purple Pixie. They're very similar, but Purpurea has long, narrow leaves while the leaves on Purple Pixie are shorter and wider.

Question: Can you use a self-watering pot for Tradescantias?

Answer: Yes, you can use a self-watering pot for Tradescantias, although I don't recommend it for smaller plants without a well-developed root system. Tradescantias have somewhat succulent qualities, meaning they can store water in their stems and leaves. This makes them quite tolerant of drying out and more at risk of overwatering. However, if you have a large Tradescantia that dries out in less than a week after watering, a self-watering pot can be beneficial to extend the time between waterings. Just make sure to let the pot dry out before you refill the reservoir.

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Question: Where can I buy Tradescantias? The local plant stores only have Nanouk and Zebrina.

Answer: I’ve found most of my Tradescantias through other collectors. Plant stores do stock them occasionally, so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye out. Alternatively, you can check online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay. LeafstorePL on Etsy is a great shop, and so is TradescantiaHub, which offers international shipping worldwide, and their shop is open until the end of March this time. Also, I'll start selling cuttings once the weather gets a bit warmer, likely beginning in April, but I will only offer shipping within the EU. I’ll announce when I begin selling, so make sure to keep an eye for updates!

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Question: Can I have Tradescantias outdoors?

Answer: Absolutely, Tradescantias thrive outdoors. However, they don’t tolerate cold well and dislike temperatures below 10° Celsius (50° Fahrenheit). They start dying at temperatures below 0° Celsius (32° Fahrenheit). So, if you live in a cooler climate, you’ll need to bring them indoors during the winter months to keep them healthy.

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Question: What's the best way to succeed at propagating a Nanouk?

Answer: Propagating a Nanouk isn't any different from propagating other Tradescantias, it should be really easy to do. You can propagate directly in soil, but, if you prefer to see the roots develop, you can also start by rooting it in water, both methods work well. I’ve written a detailed article on propagating Tradescantias that covers everything you need to know. You can find it here.

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Question: Why are my Tradescantia propagations dying when I place them in soil?

Answer: There could be a couple of reasons why your Tradescantia propagations are struggling after being moved to soil. From my experience, the two most common issues are too little light and too much water. First, try placing your cuttings in a spot that gets more light. This should help them. Second, check the moisture level of the soil. If the soil feels too wet, or if the pot is too large and doesn't allow the soil to dry out within a week, there's likely too much moisture. This excess moisture can cause the cuttings to rot. You want the soil to be moist but not wet, and it should dry out completely before you water again.

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Question: What are the orangish spots common on Callisias? Is it rust/leaf spot, or is it normal?

Answer: Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for Callisias, much like many Tradescantias, to develop brown or orangish spots. These spots might not always have a clear cause. The best advice I can give is to check the plant's growing conditions. Make sure it's getting enough light. Also, check if you might be overwatering, which could contribute to the problem. Consider whether the plant might benefit from some fertilizer. If the spots continue to appear, you might want to trim away the affected parts to give the plant a fresh start.

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Question: My tricolor is turning green, what should I do?

Answer: Tricolor, also known as Mundula Lisa, tends to revert quite easily, which means the variegation on the leaves starts to disappear. Even though this is impossible to prevent completely, the best way to manage it is to cut off the reverted stems. Cut them back to the last variegated leaf. This is important because the green stems are stronger and can take over if not controlled. By cutting back to the last variegated leaf, there's a chance the plant will produce new growth with variegation.

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Question: Why does my Cerinthoides get black spots on the borders of the leaves?

Answer: Unfortunately, I don’t have a good answer for this issue. However, if it's only affecting a few leaves and the rest of the plant appears healthy, it might not be a big issue.

Community Highlight

This week, let's meet Sarah from the UK! She has the most beautiful Zebrina, and you can find her on Instagram as @piinkfruit​

What’s your favorite Tradescantia and why? My favourite is my little baby Nanouk because of the colours and stripes. But my number one favourite from my collection is my Zebrina Violet Hill because she was my first Tradescantia and is the biggest plant I own!

Which was your first Tradescantia, and where did you get it? My first Tradescantia was Zebrina Violet Hill. I was given a small cutting from a friend as a housewarming gift when I moved into my flat with my boyfriend.

What’s the #1 Tradescantia on your wishlist? Mundula Fairy Wings!!!!! I yearn for one. I think they’re so beautiful!!

What’s one care tip or trick you swear by for your Tradescantias? I think propagating to make the plant more full and bushy really changed things for me! Planting the stems directly back into the soil... They're very low maintenance and easy to care for.

Any fun or unexpected stories about your Tradescantias you’d like to share? I recently did a Tradescantia trade with a friend!!! That was really fun. And that’s how I got my 2nd and 3rd Tradescantia plants!!

Thank you, Sarah, for sharing your beautiful Tradescantia with us!

Do you have a Tradescantia collection? Or maybe one or two you’re especially proud of? Why not show it off in the next newsletter’s Community Highlight?

Reply to this email, email me at katja@exploringtradescantias.com, or send me a DM on Instagram, I’d love to feature your favorite plants!

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Until next time, happy planting! 🌿

Katja

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Disclaimer: This is an affiliate link, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase using my code, at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me keep sharing Tradescantia tips and content—thank you!

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