🌿
Illustration pending
At a Glance
Light bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 45–75%
Temp. 13–29 °C
Habit Trailing
Growth Fast
Care Easy
Height 5–15 cm
Add to your collection
cultivar Commelinaceae ◈ Community
Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor Minima'
Tricolor Tradescantia · Small-leaf Spiderwort Tricolor · Pink Tradescantia
(trad-es-KAN-tee-uh floo-min-EN-sis TRY-kul-er MIN-ih-muh)
At a Glance
Light bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 45–75%
Temp. 13–29 °C
Habit Trailing
Growth Fast
Care Easy
Height 5–15 cm
Add to your collection
Origin & Habitat
Cultivar; species native range SE & S Brazil to N Argentina
Description
Small fleshy leaves striped green, cream and pink, often with pink undersides or blush on new growth.
Low trailing stems root at nodes and make a dense mat or hanging basket when pinched.
Botanical Notes
Species epithet refers to Rio de Janeiro/Fluminense region; cultivar name refers to three-coloured small foliage.
RHS recognises Tradescantia fluminensis 'Tricolor Minima'; POWO supports the underlying species Tradescantia fluminensis as accepted.
Care Guide
Needs bright light to keep pink/cream colour. Prune frequently and restart from cuttings when stems become tired.
Repotting
Use a light, well-draining mix. Often easier to refresh with cuttings than to up-pot an old plant.
Feeding
Light monthly feeding in spring–summer
Common Problems
- Reversion to green; scorched pale leaves in direct sun; leggy growth; rot if constantly wet.
Notes & Curiosities
- A quick “instant gratification” plant: small cuttings can make a full-looking pot surprisingly fast.
⚠ Toxicity: toxic to pets, toxic to humans. Tradescantia sap may irritate skin; ingestion may cause mild stomach upset in pets.