White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) 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 White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana).
This plant has several common names including: white velvet or white gossamer.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: white velvet, white gossamer
Scientific name: Tradescantia sillamontana
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse
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
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) is a plant that prefers to grow in loam or sand.
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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.
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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 sillamontana likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) – Michael Wolf, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
