Tradescantia fluminensis
small-leaf spiderwort
A trailing, evergreen perennial houseplant, with fleshy dark green leaves that are striped light pink and cream with a purple, densly hairy underside. Tiny white flowers are produced intermittently throughout the year
Synonyms
Tradescantia albiflora
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Size
Ultimate height
Up to 10cmTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green Cream Pink Purple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White | Green Cream Pink Purple | ||
| Autumn | White | Green Cream Pink Purple | ||
| Winter | White | Green Cream Pink Purple |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Commelinaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Spreading branched, Trailing
- Potentially harmful
- Contact with foliage may irritate skin
- Genus
Tradescantia can be trailing or tufted perennials with usually fleshy, evergreen foliage and distinctive, 3-petalled flowers
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a loamless peat free compost or John Innes No 2 which is loam based. Place in bright, filtered light but not direct sunlight. Pinch the growing tips to keep bushy and pinch out any plain green shoots of variegated cultivars. Plain green reverted shoots, if left, will take over the variegated growths.
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings using stem tips in spring and summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Houseplants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pinch growth tips to encorage bushiness and remove plain green shoots from variegated cultivars, to stop reversion
Pests
May be susceptible to red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids, vine weevil and thrips
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.