Tradescantia spathacea 'Rainbow'

RHS Plant Profile

oyster plant 'Rainbow'

Synonyms

Tradescantia spathacea 'Rainbow', Tradescantia spathacea 'Versicolor', Tradescantia spathacea [Sitara]

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

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A clump-forming, perennial with upright rosettes of dark green foliage with purple to red variegation. The stems eventually trail as they get longer. Small white flowers are produced rarely, tucked close to the stem, throughout the year

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1–2 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H1C

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Commelinaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Contact with the foliage may irritate skin. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.
Genus: Tradescantia can be trailing or tufted perennials with usually fleshy, evergreen foliage and distinctive, 3-petalled flowers
Name Status: Synonym

How to Grow

Cultivation

Undemanding, easy-to-grow houseplant, or for summer outdoor displays planted in fertile, free draining soil. Direct sunshine may scorch the leaves. Indoors grow in bright filtered light, planted using peat-free, houseplant or multipurpose compost. When in active growth water moderately and liquid feed monthly. Reduce watering in winter. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by taking stem tip cuttings or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Sub-tropical
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Remove faded flowered stems

Pests

May be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids and glasshouse Thrips.

Diseases

Generally disease-free