Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
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Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) flourishes in bright, indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Tradescantia x andersoniana also called Blushing Bride Tradescantia is one of the trailing Tradescantia varieties and bears pink and white variegated new growth.
When mature the Blushing Bride Tradescantia leaves turn completely green. It is advisable to cut it back regularly to encourage the new growth of pink and white variegated foliage.
Botanical name: Tradescantia x andersoniana
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Blushing Maid Tradescantia, Blushing Bride Tradescantia
Size
Blushing Bride Tradescantia grows to a height of 6-10 inches and the stems can be 4-5 feet long. Unlike Tradescantia virginiana, Blushing Maid Tradescantia is great in a hanging basket for a office desk without windows.
Flowers
The flowers in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are three-petaled, colored white and tinged with lilac pink.
Toxicity
Tradescantia x andersoniana like other Tradescantia plants varieties is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling the plant.
Where to Buy
Blushing Bride Tradescantia is a charming addition to any plant collection, you may acquire them online on Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Tradescantia x andersoniana Care Indoors
Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) blossoms in bright indirect light (dappled light), average warmth of of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tradescantia x andersoniana requires pruning to keep it neat, to control growth and to rejuvenate growth. Repotting is necessary when it becomes extremely pot-bound. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Light Requirements
Blushing Maid Tradescantia grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away or shield it from direct sunshine as it can cause scorching of the leaves.
You may also grow Blushing Bride Tradescantia under grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.
Outdoors, Blushing Maid Tradescantia Plant can be grown in a shaded place like under the trees where it is protected from hot direct sunlight.
Watering
Water Blushing Bride Tradescantia thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil evenly moist through out.
Cut down on watering in the cold weather to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal but do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and leaf drop.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-270C is ideal for Blushing Maid Tradescantia. It is known to be quite cold tolerant but very low temperatures may lead to reduced growth and death of the plant.
Keep the plant away from drafts as they can cause sudden temperatures changes which can lead to leaf drop and reduced growth.
Blushing Bride Tradescantia has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 55-65% is ideal for this Plant. However, where the temperatures are too high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is proper circulation to reduce fungal diseases.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Blushing Maid Tradescantia should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Well-drained all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer
Feed Blushing Bride Tradescantia with a balanced, liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing period for lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
Repotting
Repot Blushing Maid Tradescantia during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound with the roots growing through the drainage holes.
Use a a pot one size larger than the current one and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to avoid getting soggy soil which can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Blushing Maid Tradescantia involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations.
To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cutback leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Blushing Maid Tradescantia propagation can be done during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings. We have outlined herebelow these two methods of propagation.
How to propagate Blushing Maid Tradescantia by plant division
Water the Blushing Maid Tradescantia thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.
Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with loose, free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Blushing Bride Tradescantia is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Blushing Maid Tradescantia from stem cuttings
The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Blushing Maid Tradescantia of about 4-6 in. and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Fill your rooting container with loose, free-draining soil to a depth of about 4 inches. Lightly moisten the soil.
With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the cutting. Carefully insert the cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 inches.
Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.
Allow the new Blushing Bride Tradescantia to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.
Tradescantia x andersoniana Problems
Blushing Maid Tradescantia (Tradescantia x andersoniana) growing problems are caused by cultural faults like improper watering, improper feeding and inadequate light. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.
Diseases
Common diseases in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are root-rot and leaf spot. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat the plant for the diseases.
Pests
Common pests in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are mealybugs, aphids and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the pests. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce infestation by these pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Loss of leaf color (variegation)
Loss of leaf color or variegation in Blushing Maid Tradescantia is caused by inadequate light (too little light). Move the plant to a brighter spot, as it grows best in bright indirect light or instal grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.
Leggy growth (elongated stems)
There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Blushing Maid Tradescantia. One possible cause of leggy growth is too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot as it needs bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
The second cause of leggy growth in Blushing Bride Tradescantia is underwatering resulting too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth. Maintain the soil moist through out the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season. Never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the correctly.
The third cause of leggy growth in Blushing Maid Tradescantia is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the plant once a month during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Do not feed in the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time. Learn how to feed houseplants.
Dropping leaves
Blushing Maid Tradescantia will readily drop its leaves if the light is inadequate (too little). Ensure to place the plant in a brightly lit place while protecting it from direct hot sunshine to avoid scorching of the leaves. You may instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home.
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves
Limp stems, yellow and spotted leaves in Blushing Maid Tradescantia are due to underwatering. Maintain the soil moist in the growing season and slightly moist in the cold season. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
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