Check Out Your Plant!
Congrats on your new CUTTING, I bet you’re wondering, “now how do I take care of this?”
FIRST THINGS FIRST, WHAT PLANT IS THIS?
You’re the proud new owner of a Tradescantia Zebrina.
HOW DO I MAKE THIS THING ROOT?
Tradescantia is incredibly easy to root. Simply place the stem of your cutting in a cup of water in front of a bright window and wait. Within a few weeks, you should see new roots growing along the stem.
To keep your cutting happy, be sure to replace the water weekly, and don’t be afraid to rinse off the roots while you do it. This will help avoid root rot. If you’re feeling extra fancy (or impatient), look into rooting hormones. These are powders that you can dip your cutting in to speed up the propagation process.
SOUNDS GOOD, BUT WHAT’S NEXT?
Wait until the roots are at least two inches long, then you can pot it up in a well-draining potting mix. Be sure to choose an appropriately sized pot, if you pick something that’s too big your plant may become overwhelmed and stop growing, or you’ll tempt root rot with all the excess moisture the pot will be able to hold. I’d recommend either a three or four-inch pot to start.
OKAAAY, BUT WHAT DO I DO AFTER THAT?
Houseplant care comes down to three main factors; soil, water, and light. Since well-draining soil is already taken care of, let’s start with light.
LIGHT
These days everyone is looking for a “low light” plant, and while it may be true that trailing philodendrons are on most of those lists, don’t listen to them! They may survive in these conditions, but the only way your plant will thrive is in a bright window. South-facing windows are ideal as they get the most light, but if you can’t make that happen an east or west-facing window will do.
WATER
Everyone wants a simple solution to houseplant watering with a clear schedule. Unfortunately, I’m here to be the bearer of bad news on that front. Your plants are living things that can’t be put on a definitive schedule! Factors such as pot size, amount of light, and season all play a role in how thirsty your plant will be, so it just isn’t possible to make generalizations.
Instead of saying “water once a week,” I’m going to suggest that you check in on your plant once a week. If the leaves are beginning to wilt, curl, or feel a little thinner than normal, those are all signs water is needed. The only way to truly tell if your plant is thirsty is to check the soil. Do this by sticking your finger into the pot up to your first knuckle. If it feels dry to that point, it’s usually time to give your friend a drink.
fun facts about your plant
Tradescantia Zebrina is also known as the Inch Plant or Wandering Dude.
It is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala, where it is typically seen as a groundcover. Single stems can grow to be up to six feet long.
With plenty of light, your Tradescantia will bloom with small, purple flowers.
WARNINGS
Be sure to keep this plant out of reach from your furry friends, it’s toxic to both dogs and cats! For more information on this, check out the ASPCA website.