Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina)

Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is a bedding 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 Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina).

This plant is commonly known as silver inch plant.

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

Plant profile

Common name: silver inch plant
Scientific name: Tradescantia zebrina
Plant type: Bedding, Houseplants
Habit: Trailing
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 Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) – Mokkie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Bedding plants are ideal for formal or informal flower beds, but also for growing in pots and containers of all kinds. They are important plants for their rapid growth, instant color and relatively low cost.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) 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 zebrina likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.

Sunlight

Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) – Mokkie, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons