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Illustration pending
At a Glance
Light bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 40–70%
Temp. 13–29 °C
Habit Trailing
Growth Fast
Care Easy
Height 10–20 cm
Add to your collection
species Commelinaceae ◉ Verified
Tradescantia zebrina
Inch Plant · Zebra Plant · Wandering Dude · Silver Inch Plant
(trad-es-KAN-tee-uh zeb-REE-nuh)
At a Glance
Light bright indirect
Water Every 5 days
Humidity 40–70%
Temp. 13–29 °C
Habit Trailing
Growth Fast
Care Easy
Height 10–20 cm
Add to your collection
Origin & Habitat
Mexico to Colombia; seasonally dry tropical biome
First described by Bosse.
Description
Small fleshy ovate leaves with metallic silver stripes, green to purple upper surfaces and purple undersides.
Fast trailing or creeping stems root easily at nodes and can quickly fill a hanging pot.
Botanical Notes
Genus honours John Tradescant; species epithet means zebra-striped.
Accepted Commelinaceae species grown for trailing purple-green leaves with silver striping; old common names may be culturally insensitive, so neutral names are preferable.
Care Guide
Pinch often for a full pot. Give bright light for strong colour; let the top layer dry between waterings.
Repotting
Refresh from cuttings regularly rather than keeping one old woody plant forever.
Feeding
Monthly in active growth
Common Problems
- Leggy growth in low light; crispy edges if too dry; stem rot if kept wet; older stems bare out and need refreshing.
Notes & Curiosities
- One of the easiest plants to propagate: cut stems root quickly in water, soil, or even where nodes touch the potting mix.
⚠ Toxicity: toxic to pets, toxic to humans. Sap can irritate skin and may cause mild digestive upset if eaten by pets.