Does this plant need to be trimmed back? Mine is vining.
5ft to light, indirect
8” pot with drainage
Last watered 8 months ago
8
@PoeticTorgrass2 it is a vining/trailing plant. You can prune it back if you want to, propagate the trimmings and replant them in the pot for a bushier appearance, but if you are entering the colder time of year in your area, I would wait to do that until spring when there is more active/new growth.
@DreamMachine I have a spiderwort that is very tall. I want to propagate it by cutting it off….. Do I put the part I cut off in dirt or water to root?? This is my 1st one & I don’t want to kill it.
@GreatManchineel can you show me a picture? I can tell you where would be best to cut. Are you growing indoors or outdoors?
@GreatManchineel but also, spiderwort, aka Tradescantia, is a super rooter. I always stick them straight in the soil because they root so fast, you don’t even need water!
@GreatManchineel oh beautiful! That looks like a nanouk, yeah? It’s one of my favorite species. ☺️ I marked up your picture with yellow slash lines for where I would make cuts, and I circled the nodes, for your information, in red. The nodes are where new roots will grow when they touch soil.
Now I can also tell you why your tradescantia is tall, so hopefully after you take the cuttings and restart your plant they will be able to grow in a more compact way.
What direction does that window 🪟 face? They look like they’re not getting enough light. They will stretch like that, meaning the space between the nodes lengthens because they are searching for more light. You will hear this referred to as ‘becoming leggy’ or ‘etiolated.’ After you have done your propagating make sure to increase the amount of light they’re getting.
If I were you, I would probably chop up this whole stem as I marked on your picture. Then you literally just stick each piece into your soil so that the node is covered by the soil. If the soil is bone dry give it a water.
Tradescantia’s are a plant that are almost like succulents, so it’s important to let the soil dry out 100% before you water again.
I hope that helped! You can always tag me @DreamMachine if you need any assistance along the way or have questions! 👍🤍🌻
And here’s some pictures of mine too.
Now I can also tell you why your tradescantia is tall, so hopefully after you take the cuttings and restart your plant they will be able to grow in a more compact way.
What direction does that window 🪟 face? They look like they’re not getting enough light. They will stretch like that, meaning the space between the nodes lengthens because they are searching for more light. You will hear this referred to as ‘becoming leggy’ or ‘etiolated.’ After you have done your propagating make sure to increase the amount of light they’re getting.
If I were you, I would probably chop up this whole stem as I marked on your picture. Then you literally just stick each piece into your soil so that the node is covered by the soil. If the soil is bone dry give it a water.
Tradescantia’s are a plant that are almost like succulents, so it’s important to let the soil dry out 100% before you water again.
I hope that helped! You can always tag me @DreamMachine if you need any assistance along the way or have questions! 👍🤍🌻
And here’s some pictures of mine too.
@DreamMachine thank you so very much!!! This is my project for tomorrow!!! I will definitely follow all of your advice & keep you posted on my progress!! Thanks again!!
@GreatManchineel oh please do! I would love an update ☺️