Tradescantia zebrina

Common Name:
Zebra Plant, Inch Plant, Wandering Dude

Description:
Tradescantia zebrina is a fast-growing, trailing evergreen perennial native to Mexico and Central America. It is prized for its striking foliage, featuring lance-shaped leaves with shimmering silver stripes on a deep green background and rich purple undersides. This plant thrives in Melbourne's indoor environments, preferring bright, indirect light but tolerating lower light conditions. It requires well-draining soil and should be watered when the top layer becomes dry. High humidity levels enhance its vibrant appearance, making it suitable for bathrooms or kitchens. Tradescantia zebrina is ideal for hanging baskets or as a ground cover in frost-free areas. While it can produce small, pinkish-purple flowers, it is primarily grown for its decorative foliage.

Form:

• Shrub – Clumping / Grass-like / Mounding

• Ground Cover

• Climber

Mature Size:

• Height: 15–22 cm

• Width: 60–90 cm

Aspect:

• Part Shade

• Indoors / Well lit

Flowering:

• Flowers all year round (sporadically)

Flower Colour:

• Pinkish-purple

Key Attributes:

• Suitable for Pots

• Suitable for Hanging Baskets

• Suitable for Ground Cover (in frost-free areas)

• Fast Growing

• Low Maintenance

• Air Purifying

• Perennial

• Not Frost Hardy

• Invasive if not contained outdoors

Toxicity:

• Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested; sap may cause skin irritation

Companion Plants:

• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

• Philodendron hederaceum

• Calathea spp.

• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

• Peperomia spp.