Complete guide to tradescantia care

Tradescantia, or spiderwort, is a beautiful and easy to care for houseplant. It's known for its bright foliage and colourful blooms. Tradescantia are a great choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance plant that will add a pop of colour to their home. Here's some advice to get you going:

• Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry, it's not a big drinker
• Tradescantia really thrive in bright light and a sunny spot
• Misting every few days - they love a humid environment

A native of Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, our variety - Emma the tradescantia nanouk - has become a popular houseplant all over the world because it’s very easy to care for (bright light; regular watering; done). It will sometimes flower, but oddly they’re far less interesting than the leaves. They’re tiny little white blooms in the centre of the plant. The flowers are how this plant gets its popular name, Moses-in-the-cradle. The blossoms look like babies being cradled in the boat-like leaves (sort of).

Tradescantia prefers bright, indirect light. A position near a window with a sheer curtain is ideal. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the leaves to become scorched. If it's not getting enough light, your tradescantia's colour will start to fade.

Tradescantia are light drinkers, so allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During the summer months, the plant may need to be watered more frequently. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.

Tradescantia prefer a well-draining potting soil. A mixture of potting soil and perlite or sand is ideal.

Tradescantia should be fertilised once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertiliser. During the winter months, fertilisation should be reduced to once every two months or cut out completely.

Tradescantia prefer mild temperatures and should be kept in a spot that's between 18-24°C. Avoid cold draughts where possible.

Tradescantia will enjoy regular misting or a naturally humid home, like a bright bathroom or a kitchen.

Tradescantia can become leggy and unruly if not pruned regularly. Pruning should be done in the spring and summer months, when the plant is growing. To prune, simply cut back the stems to the desired length.

Tradescantia can easily be propagated by stem cuttings. To propagate, simply take a stem cutting and place it in a container filled with moist potting soil. Keep the soil moist and in a warm location and the cutting should take root in a few weeks. You can learn more about propagation here. If your tradescantia is looking a bit sparse, you can take a cutting and re-root it back into the original nursery pot. This will help it to grow thicker and bushier.

With a little bit of care and attention, your tradescantia will thrive and bring a bit of colour and life to your home.