Inch Plant

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The Inch Plant, also known as Tradescantia Zebrina, Spiderwort, or even Wandering Jew, is a classic, low maintenance house plant with iridescent purple and green foliage. These plants were popular in the 70s and got their name from the ability to grow an inch a week even under less than ideal conditions. The Inch Plant is gaining in popularity again and comes in a few varieties.

Other varieties include:
-Tradescantia fluminensis – beautiful green foliage with a purplish underside.
-Tradescantia fluminensis variegata – green & white variegated foliage with purplish underside
-Tradescantia fluminensis tri-color – green & white foliage with pink variegation

Light

The Inch Plant prefers bright, indirect light but can do well in lower lighting conditions. Keeping them near a sunny window will have them staying vibrant and healthy. If not given enough light, their colors may start to fade.

Water

These plants prefer to stay evenly moist. Press your finger into the soil until the first knuckle, if the soil is dry then water. Inch Plants do best with a consistent watering schedule. It will be more often in the Spring and Summer and less often in the Winter and Fall.

Because of the trailing nature, your Inch Plant can become leggy. To maintain a bushy plant, it is recommended pinching back a quarter of the plant to encourage branching which will increase the fullness of the plant.

Fertilizer

Inch Plants need minimal feeding. Use a water-soluble house plant fertilizer 4 times a year to give them a boost. Too much fertilizer will cause them to lose their variegation.

Propagation

When your Inch Plants starts to lose leaves at the base it is aged out and you will need to propagate. Just snip off an inch to two-inch section from the end and replant in potting soil. This will give you a new plant to enjoy in just a few weeks.

Learn more about caring for your Inch Plant.

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