Plants
Spiderwort
Tradescantia zebrina · Commelinagewächse (Commelinaceae)
Spiderwort is one of the most rewarding houseplants of all: its silvery, purple-backed leaves create instant impact, and it forgives almost any mistake in care. In our Duesseldorf workshop we happily recommend it to beginners who want fast results and lush trailing growth without daily fuss.
- Light
- Bright to very bright, without harsh midday sun. Plenty of light keeps the silver-violet markings strong and the growth compact.
- Watering
- Keep the soil evenly slightly moist and avoid waterlogging. Water regularly in summer and considerably less in winter.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Tradescantia zebrina
Botanically, spiderwort is a genus with numerous species. Tradescantia zebrina (formerly Zebrina pendula) is the best known: its two silver longitudinal stripes on a green base and the strongly violet leaf underside make it unmistakable. Alongside it, Tradescantia fluminensis with more delicate, often white-green variegated leaves and the deep purple Tradescantia pallida are widespread.
In floristry we value Tradescantia above all as a trailing companion. Its soft runners spill elegantly over pot rims, planted bowls and baskets, bringing movement to arrangements. Individual shoots can also be tucked into designs short-term as accents, where the silver-violet harmonises beautifully with pink, plum and berry tones.
A reliable quality marker is shoot density: a good plant is bushy from the base, not leggy, and shows rich colour contrast rather than pale, drawn-out internodes. When buying at the Veiling Rhein-Maas we look for compact, well-rooted growth, because only sturdy plants keep flushing reliably at home instead of going bare.
Stylistically the spiderwort suits both modern and playful concepts. In a mini jungle it pairs with pothos, spider plant and ferns; solo in a simple hanging planter it reads graphic and calm. For colour, place it beside green foliage plants whose matte leaves make the Tradescantia’s shimmer stand out all the more.
Care
- 01Place in a bright spot out of harsh midday sun: the brighter the location, the stronger the silver-violet markings. Plants kept too dark turn green and grow leggy.
- 02Keep the soil evenly slightly moist but avoid waterlogging. Water once the top layer has dried; in winter considerably more sparingly.
- 03Feed roughly every two weeks from March to August with a foliage-plant fertiliser, and pause in winter.
- 04Pinch back the shoot tips regularly to keep the plant bushy and stop it going bare in the centre. The trimmings root effortlessly in water or soil.
- 05Normal room temperature (18 to 22 degrees) is fine; slightly raised humidity and the occasional rinse keep the leaves dust-free and spider mites away.
Frequently asked
- Is spiderwort toxic to cats and dogs?
- Yes, Tradescantia zebrina is considered mildly toxic. Its sap can cause irritation and itching on skin and mouth contact, and ingestion may trigger mild gastrointestinal upset. Keep the plant out of reach of nibbling pets and small children.
- Why is my Tradescantia losing its silvery colour?
- This is almost always a light issue. With too little light the plant produces more chlorophyll, the leaves turn greener and the shoots grow thin and long. Move it brighter (without harsh midday sun) and trim leggy shoots, and the markings will return.
- How do I propagate spiderwort?
- Very easily via cuttings: snip a shoot of about five to ten centimetres just below a leaf node and place it in a glass of water or straight into moist soil. Roots form within one to two weeks. Several cuttings planted together quickly make a full, bushy plant.
- Is spiderwort available all year round?
- Yes, as a houseplant Tradescantia is available all year round. It grows throughout the year but takes a quieter phase in winter, when it needs less water and no fertiliser.