Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') Indoor Care and Propagation Guide
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Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' also called Fantasy Venice Plant or Spiderwort 'Nanouk' is one of the popular Tradescantia varieties that has been trending recently on account of its bright green, pink & purple, fuzzy leaves growing on sturdy stems.
On account of its vibrant and colourful foliage, Tradescantia Nanouk is one of the best plants for the living room where it will create a delightful sight.
Botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk'
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Tradescantia Nanouk, Fantasy Venice Plant, Spiderwort 'Nanouk'
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.
Size and Flowers
Fantasy Venice Plant grows to a height of about 3–6 inches and can trail to about 12–24 inches long. Under the right conditions, it will produce small white and yellow flowers arising from the pink buds.
Toxicity
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 the plant.
Where to Buy
Are you looking to add these plants to your collection? You may acquire Tradescantia Nanouk online from Etsy (Link to Etsy) or from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk' Care Indoors
Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora 'Nanouk') thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting mix coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
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 (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunshine or protect it from direct sun rays as they can cause scorching of the leaves.
Spiderwort 'Nanouk' can be grown under grow lights where the natural light is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Turn the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lop-side growth.
Watering
Water Tradescantia Nanouk thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches 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 result in root-rot and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Average warmth of 16-270C with a minimum 130C is ideal for Tradescantia Nanouk. A room temperature that is ideal for you as adequate for the plant. Keep it from drafts as they can cause sudden changes in temperature which can result in reduced growth and leaf drop.
Tradescantia Nanouk has no need for high humidity. Moderate (average) air humidity of 50-55% 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. Too low humidity may lead to brown, shirivelled leaf tips.
Clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean and neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Make sure that there is proper circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Feeding
Feed Tradescantia Nanouk with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period to encourage a lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.
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 all purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.
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 rotting. Take a look at these ceramic pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.
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. Cutback 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 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.
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 inches 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 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 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.
Plant dying
Tradescantia Nanouk dying is caused by root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil due to poor soil drainage. Make sure that the soil is loose, well-drained and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Reduce watering during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.
Diseases
Tradescantia Nanouk is prone to leaf spot disease which is enhanced by overwet conditions. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.
Pests
Common pests in Tradescantia Nanouk are aphids, mealy bugs and scales. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the pests. Mist the leaves regularly to reduce the pests infestation. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Leggy growth (elongated stems)
There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Tradescantia Nanouk. One possible cause is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if the natural lighting is not sufficient. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
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. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
The third cause of leggy growth in Tradescantia Nanouk is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the plant once a month with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Do not feed in the cold season to prevent fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time. Learn how to feed houseplants.
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. Learn more on how to raise humidity for 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.
Limp stems, yellow leaves
Limp stems and yellow leaves in Tradescantia Nanouk are due to underwatering (too little moisture in the soil). Water the 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 plant in a brighter spot, as it thrives in bright indirect light or instal a grow light if you do not have adequate light in the home.
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