Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’)

Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’).

This plant is commonly known as oyster plant ‘Vittata’.

This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: oyster plant ‘Vittata’
Scientific name: Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’) – Cliff from Arlington, Virginia, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’ likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.

Sunlight

Oyster plant ‘Vittata’ (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.