Tradescantia cerinthoides aka Flowering Inch Plant
Taxonomy
Tradescantia cerinthoides is an exceptionally easy plant to care for and is native to South East Brazil to North East Argentina. It was described in 1843 by Carl Sigismund Kunth. Gardeners love them for their pink tipped white flowers and green purplish foliage. This species is used in many parts of the world as an ornamental and can be an invasive species in the southern USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Spain. It can be propagated easily by stem cuttings and care should be taken to bring the plant indoors during cold winters in order to avoid frost damage to their succulent leaves.
Common names
Flowering Inch Plant, NanoukHow to care for Flowering Inch Plant
Difficulty
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Flowering Inch Plant, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
Water
Flowering Inch Plant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Flowering Inch Plant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Flowering Inch Plant prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the wintertime, it is common for Flowering Inch Plant plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.
Humidity
The Flowering Inch Plant is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
The Flowering Inch Plant should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Flowering Inch Plant’s native range is the Americas.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Tradescantia Genus
Tradescantia bracteata Long Bract Spiderwort
Tradescantia gigantea Spiderwort
Tradescantia cerinthoides Flowering Inch Plant
Tradescantia fluminensis Wandering Jew
Tradescantia blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata (Smooth Form) 'Lilac'
Tradescantia spathacea Moses In The Cradle
Tradescantia occidentalis Western Spiderwort
Tradescantia zanonia
