Tradescantia zebrina aka Inchplant

Taxonomy

Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is an attractive perennial herbaceous creeping plant in the Tradescantia genus. Common names include silver inch plant and wandering Jew, although some use the alternative wandering dude. Its fast growth rate and attractive foliage make it popular in cultivation, used as a ground cover in warm winter climates and as a house plant elsewhere. Its leaves have characteristic stripes, which is why it's known as Zebrina, and are bluish-green in color with two longitudinal silver-colored stripes and a deep, uniform magenta underside. It is easy to propagate by stem, and can produce dozens of new plants, making it great for sharing. Its succulent leaves make it sensitive to frost, so be sure to bring it indoors if your winter temperatures dip below freezing. This cultivar of Tradescantia zebrina can also surprise you with some delightful white and purple blossoms.

Common names

Inchplant, Wandering Jew

How to care for Inchplant

Difficulty

Inchplant presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Inchplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Inchplant 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

Inchplant thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Inchplant.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it's common for Inchplant to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Humidity

No additional humidity is required for the Inchplant. Plants take in most of their water through their roots, not their leaves, therefore, watering the soil is the most effective way to supply humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Inchplant is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Inchplant’s native range is the Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia