Small-leaf Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) Care Indoors, Propagation and Problems

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Small-leaf Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) prefers bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Tradescantia fluminensis also called Wandering Trad, Inch Plant, River Spiderwort or Wandering Willie is one of the popular Tradescantia varieties and is easy to grow even for a beginner as it easily adapts to a wide range of growing conditions.

The leaves, about 2-4 inches long, tightly clasp the creeping or trailing stems of the Wandering Trad. The undersides of leaves are pale purple (mauve) and it produces pale purple sap.

Tradescantia fluminensis and Tradescantia chrysophylla (Baby Bunny Bellies Plant) are perfect for a hanging basket, pedestal, table-top, desktop or shelf where the stems can beautifully cascade downwards.

Botanical name: Tradescantia fluminensis
Synonmy name: Tradescantia albiflora
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Small-leaf Spiderwort, Wandering Trad, Inch Plant, River Spiderwort, Wandering Willie

Origin

Tradescantia fluminensis houseplant is native to the New World from southern Canada to northern Argentina, including West Indies where it occurs individually or in clumps in wooded areas or open fields.

Flower

Small-leaf Spiderwort flowers are white with three petals. It may occasionally flower indoors but the blooms are generally insignificant.

Varieties

Tradescantia fluminensis has many varieties like variegata with cream striped leaves, Quicksilver with white striped leaves and tricolor whose leaves are striped with cream and purple, among others.

Invasiveness as a weed

Small-leaf Spiderworts are fast-growing plants which are invasive and noxious weeds in many places. They successfully grow anywhere and will smoother ground level plants and prevent the natural regeneration of taller species.

Avoid planting River Spiderworts in the ground and dispose only after complete destruction as even an inch of these plants will sprout if not completely destroyed.

Toxicity

Small-leaf Spiderwort is mildly toxic to humans, cats and dogs as indicated by Leaf and Paw. 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

Are you looking to add Small-leaf Spiderwort varieties to your collection? You may obtain them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Small-leaf Spiderwort Care Indoors

Small-leaf Spiderwort houseplant performs best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Tradescantia fluminensis care requires pruning to keep it neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, 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

Small-leaf Spiderwort grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

If the lighting is too low the plant may respond with leggy growth and yellow leaves. Therefore, you may grow Tradescantia fluminensis under a grow light where the natural lighting is not sufficient. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights available on Amazon.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for even growth and prevent leggy growth.

Watering

Water Small-leaf Spiderwort thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moist.

Cut down on watering in the cold period to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and drooping leaves.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and yellow leaves.

Temperature and Humidity

Small-leaf Spiderwort blossoms in an average temperature of 16-27⁰C. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts as they can cause sudden changes in temperature which can result in reduced growth, yellowing and leaf drop.

Tradescantia fluminensis has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, where the temperatures are too high leading to too low humidity the plant may respond with dry shrivelled leaf tips. Therefore, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them cleant as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is proper circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Tradescantia fluminensis with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing period to promote a lush growth. Withhold feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn which is indicated by yellow leaves followed by plant death.

Potting Mix

Small-leaf Spiderwort soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Small-leaf Spiderwort during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when root-bound. Use 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 prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and yellowing leaves. Tradescantia fluminensis is magnificent in a hanging basket where the the stems can cascade downwards beautifully. Take a look at these hanging planters with macrame plant hangers on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Small-leaf Spiderwort involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as discourage 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

Tradescantia fluminensis (Small-leaf Spiderwort) propagation can be done during the growing period by plants divison or from stem-cuttings.

Tradescantia fluminensis propagation by plant division

Water the Tradescantia fluminensis 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 Small-leaf Spiderwort is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Tradescantia fluminensis propagation from stem cuttings in soil

The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Tradescantia fluminensis of about 4-6 inches 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 a 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 Small-leaf Spiderwort to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.

Small-leaf Spiderwort Problems and Solutions

Small-leaf Spiderwort problems include loss of leaf color, leggy growth, shrivelled leaf tips, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves in Small-leaf Spiderwort are due to underwatering. Maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing and slightly moist in the cold season. Never allow the soil to dry out completely to prevent wilting and drooping leaves. Learn how to feed houseplants.

Diseases

Common diseases in Small-leaf Spiderwort are root-rot and leaf spot. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.

Pests

Common pests in Small-leaf Spiderwort are scales, mealy bugs and aphids. Isolate the affected plant and treat appropriately. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce the pest infestations. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color in Small-leaf Spiderwort 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 a grow light if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.

Brown and shrivelled leaf tips

Brown and shrivelled leaf tips in Small-leaf Spiderwort are due to too dry air especially where the temperatures are too high. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. You may also grow the plant in the humid areas in the home like a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and others. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.

Leggy growth (elongated stems)

There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Small-leaf Spiderwort. One possible cause is too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot as it needs bright indirect light to thrive or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate.

The second cause of leggy growth in Small-leaf Spiderwort is underwatering resulting in too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth.

Water the plant liberally during the growing season and maintain the soil moist at all times. Decrease watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third cause of leggy growth in Small-leaf Spiderwort is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed it once a month in the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Do not feed in the cold period to avoid fertilizer burn as growth is reduced at this time.

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