Planting, flowering, cultivation and care

Presentation of poverty

What is the ideal light and exposure for tradescantia?

Misery needs a bright location, but without direct sun. If it is installed in a darker room, this lack of light can manifest itself in different ways:

• The foliage of your plant may be less colorful.
• If the foliage is variegated, streaked or striped, depending on the species or variety, it may take on a uniform green color.
• Your plant may begin to produce long stems with just a few spaced, pale-colored leaves.

To note : For the proper development of your plant, you must also be sure to choose a location sheltered from drafts.

What is the ideal temperature for the ephemeral?

This plant of subtropical origin cannot tolerate cold. This is why it must be grown indoors in a room with a temperature between between 15 and 22°C. Below 10°C, it will have difficulty developing properly. Some species of Tradescantia, such as the Virginia ephemeral, the tradescantia pallida, etc., can withstand light frosts and can therefore be grown in the ground in certain regions of France, those with a milder climate.

Ideal atmospheric humidity

Poverty needs a fairly high ambient humidity to prevent its foliage from turning brown and drying out. The ideal solution to maintain a sufficiently humid environment is to install the pot on a bed of clay balls. You can also regularly spray water directly on the foliage.

Watering of misery

Even though the tradescantia needs humidity, it cannot tolerate it when it is excessive. This means that its substrate must always be moist, but never soggy, as this will cause the base of the stems to rot.

• In fine weather, the recommended watering frequency is twice a week. To avoid making mistakes and know when to water, it is necessary to control the substrate: when it begins to be dry on the surface, your plant needs watering.
• In winter, it is necessary to reduce watering. One watering per week is then sufficient.

Good to know : After watering, remember to empty the water from the saucer to prevent the roots from rotting.

What types of soil and fertilizer for tradescantia?

Earth

Tradescantia is an accommodating plant that adapts to all types of soil, even those who are poor. However, it will develop better in rich, humus-rich soil. It is therefore advisable to opt for a quality potting soil suitable for green plants.

Fertilizer

In order to promote the development of new shoots and support flowering, you can provide nutrients to your plant in the form of fertilizer : it can, for example, be a special liquid fertilizer for green plants which will be mixed with the watering water. You can also opt for natural fertilizers. The period during which these contributions are welcome is between June and September.

Planting tradescantia and repotting

To enjoy a healthy plant, be sure to plant it in a properly sized pot with a hole in the bottom. Proceed as follows:

• Start by placing a layer of drainage at the bottom of the pot. You can use clay balls or gravel.
• Position your plant in the pot.
• Fill the pot with a light substrate or a mixture of potting soil and sand, at a rate of three quarters of the first to a quarter of the second.
• Pack, then water.

It will be necessary to repot your tradescantia every year or every 2 years depending on its development. This operation must be carried out in the spring.

How to multiply the ephemeral?

Easy to propagate, tradescantia can simply be cut. To do this, two techniques are possible:

• The first is to take a few stems of around 8 cm or to use the stems cut when pruning the plant or accidentally broken, then put them in a glass of water until roots appear.
• The second involves removing the stems at the base and planting them in a pot filled with potting soil. You must then keep the pot at room temperature, making sure to always keep the soil moist to encourage rooting.

For cuttings, the ideal period is between April and September.

How to reduce poverty?

It is a plant that tolerates being pruned very well. The size also allows it to maintain compact foliage. To do this, you can cut back the stems by a third at the end of winter. Also remember to pinch the stems regularly to encourage branching and thus have a generous plant.

Caring for the tradescantia

The tradescantia only asks low maintenance : simply remove the leaves which may have dried. When necessary, it is important to dust your plant to allow photosynthesis.

Species and varieties of the Tradescantia genus: there are a large number of them

The genus Tradescantia has just over 70 species. The most widespread for their decorative appearance are:

• Tradescantia zebrina;
• Tradescantia fluminensis;
• Tradescantia pallida.

The 5 points to remember about the ephemeral

• Misery is an easy to grow houseplant as long as its needs for light, heat and humidity are met.
• This plant needs to be installed in a bright location, and in rich, humus-rich soil.
• It is important to ensure maintain sufficient humidity for the plant.
• It is easy to cut, which will allow you to expand your mother plant or have new plants to pamper.
• Very decorative, this plant comes in different varieties which are distinguished from each other by their foliage.