















Tradescantia Zebrina
About Tradescantia Zebrina
This cultivar of Tradescantia zebrina is an exceptionally easy plant to care for and might surprise you with some of their delightful white and purple blossoms. Their leaves have characteristic stripes, which is where they get the name Zebrina! They are extremely easy to propagate by stem and one plant can give rise to dozens of new ones, which makes them great for sharing. 🤝 As houseplants they often trail, but will also creep along the ground if grown outdoors. Their succulent leaves make them sensitive to frost, so be sure to bring them indoors if your winter temperatures dip below freezing. ❄️
Taxonomy
Tradescantia zebrina 'Purple Joy'
Tradescantia
Commelinaceae
Commelinales

How to care for Tradescantia Zebrina

How often to water your Tradescantia Zebrina

every 9
Tradescantia Zebrina needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot located in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
9

Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Charlotte, North Carolina
37% Low

Growing Tradescantia Zebrina in Charlotte right now
Plant growth potential is currently low 📉
February 6th, 2023
Sunlight intensity as measured by “net radiation” in Charlotte is currently low 📉.
The availability of high quality sunlight in your home impacts ability for plants to thrive and is key in determi…
Sunlight will increase by 35.3% ☀️
February 6th, 2023
Charlotte is trending towards greater sunlight intensity!
The amount of sunlight in Charlotte is expected to increase by 35.3% over the next 2 weeks to an average of 11.0 megajoules of energy per …
Daylight will increase by 0.9 hours 📈
February 2nd, 2023
This month, Charlotte is getting an average of 6.7 hours of clear sky sunlight per day.
Hours of daylight will increase by 9.7% over the next two weeks. Your plants will get 10.8 total hours of da…
Finding light for Tradescantia Zebrina in your home

a window
Tradescantia Zebrina may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.
Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to keep it happy during this time of reduced sunlight intensity in Charlotte, North Carolina ⛅.

How to fertilize Tradescantia Zebrina

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Tradescantia Zebrina after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
When to repot Tradescantia Zebrina
Is this a good time of year to repot? No ⏳
February 5th, 2023
The growing potential in Charlotte is low 📉.
Repotting in late fall or winter when the day lengths are shorter can be very stressful for a plant and cause it to go into shock.
It's best to rep…

Tradescantia Zebrina prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
Tradescantia Zebrina may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Humidity
Tradescantia Zebrina doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.
Soil
Tradescantia Zebrina does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!
Fertilizer
Tradescantia Zebrina should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!
Dormancy
It’s common for Tradescantia Zebrina to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.
Native Region
Tradescantia Zebrina is native to the Americas.
Care Summary for Tradescantia Zebrina
Tradescantia Zebrina
Greg recommends:

0.5 cups every 9 days

< 3ft from a window

Repot after 2x growth
Based on your location in Charlotte, North Carolina, the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
