Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') Indoor Care Guide

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Botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk'
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Tradescantia Nanouk, Fantasy Venice Plant, Spiderwort 'Nanouk'

Description

Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' commonly called Tradescantia Nanouk, Fantasy Venice Plant or Spiderwort 'Nanouk' is one of the plants that has been trending recently on account of its bright green, pink & purple, fuzzy leaves growing on sturdy stems.

Tradescantia Nanouk is fast growing and easy to grow. It grows to a height of about 3–6 inches and can trail to about 12–24 inches long.

Under the right conditions, Spiderwort Nanouk will produce small white and yellow flowers arising from the pink buds.

Origin

Unlike other Tradescantia plants which originated in Central America, Mexico, and South America, Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' originated in Sappemeer, Netherlands in 2012.

Fantasy Venice Plant is a cross between two selected seedlings of Tradescantia albiflora. It is a patented plant which was developed to create a new hardy and vigorous Tradescantia plant.

Toxicity

Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') 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 Tradescantia Nanouk.

Where to Buy

Tradescantia Nanouk are readily available online at Etsy. Buy Tradescantia Nanouk from Etsy.

Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' Care Indoors

Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunlight, average warmth and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. It has no need for high humidity.

Spiderwort 'Nanouk' 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 as it grows best when the roots are confined. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.

Light Requirements

Tradescantia Nanouk grows best in bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine or protect it from direct sun rays as they can cause scorching of the leaves.

Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lop-side growth.

Spiderwort 'Nanouk' can also grow under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate.

Watering

Water Tradescantia Nanouk thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings and maintain the soil moist at all times.

Decrease watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth with a minimum 13⁰C is ideal for Tradescantia Nanouk. A room temperature that is ideal for you as adequate for the plant.

Keep the Fantasy Venice Plant from draughts as they can cause sudden changes in temperature which can result in leaf drop and reduced growth.

Tradescantia Nanouk has no need for high humidity. Moderate (average) air humidity 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. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Potting Medium

The best potting medium for Tradescantia Nanouk should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients.

Most multi-purpose potting mixes are ideal for Tradescantia Nanouk. Buy quality Potting Mix from Etsy.

Feeding

Feed Tradescantia Nanouk with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period to encourage a lush growth.

Stop feeding the Spiderwort Nanouk during the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Repotting

Repot Tradescantia Nanouk during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound.

Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual death of the plant.

Pruning

Pruning Tradescantia Nanouk involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.

To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cut back leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' propagation can be done during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings.

How to propagate Tradescantia Nanouk by plant division

Water the Tradescantia Nanouk 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 in. 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.

Make sure 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 Fantasy Venice Plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Tradescantia Nanouk from stem cuttings

The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Tradescantia Nanouk about 4-6 in. long 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 in. 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 in.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.

Allow the new Spiderwort Nanouk to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.

Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' Problems

Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') problems include leggy growth, loss of leaf color, shrivelled leaf tips, yellow leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Leggy growth (elongated stems)

There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Tradescantia Nanouk. One possible cause is too little light.

Move the Tradescantia Nanouk to a brighter spot where it will receive bright, indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is inadequate.

The second cause of leggy growth in Tradescantia Nanouk 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 Spiderwort Nanouk liberally and maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season.

Lessen watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third cause of leggy growth in Tradescantia Nanouk is inadequate feeding (underfeeding).

Feed the Fantasy Venice Plant once a month with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth.

Brown, shrivelled leaf tips

Brown, shrivelled leaf tips in Tradescantia Nanouk is 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.

Limp stems, yellow leaves

Limp stems and yellow leaves in Tradescantia Nanouk are due to underwatering (too little moisture in the soil).

Water the Fantasy Venice Plant liberally and maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season. Cut down on watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color in Tradescantia Nanouk is caused by inadequate light (too little light).

Place the Spiderwort Nanouk in a brighter spot, as it thrives in bright, indirect light away from direct sunshine or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in the home.

Plant dying

Tradescantia Nanouk dying is caused by root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil due to poor soil drainage.

Make sure that the soil is loose, free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Also, reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water. Read more on how to treat root-rot in houseplants.

Diseases

Another common disease in Tradescantia Nanouk is leaf spot which is promoted by overwet conditions. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat the plant appropriately for the disease. Read more on how to treat leaf spot in houseplants

Brown leaf spots

Brown leaf spots in Tradescantia Nanouk are sunscorch marks caused by exposure of the plant to hot direct sunshine. Move the plant to a shadier spot or protect it from direct sunshine by installing a light curtain to filter the sun rays.

Pests

Common pests in Tradescantia Nanouk are Aphids, Mealy Bugs and Scale Insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat appropriately. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce the pests infestation. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.