10 Stunning Tradescantia Varieties with Pictures and Care Guides
Some links in this post may be affiliate links
Tradescantia Plants commonly called Inch Plants, Spiderworts, Wandering Dude, Dayflower or Trad. are popular plants which easily adapt to indoor growing conditions.
About 85 species of Tradescantia varieties are available which exhibit varied colors, leaf shape, texture and growth habits.
Majority of the Tradescantia plants have a trailing or creeping growth habit which makes them perfect for a hanging basket.
Tradescantia plants are so popular and easy care even for a beginner that it is not unusual to find at least one in the home.
The Tradescantia genus belongs to the Commelinaceae family and are native to the Americas from southern Canada to northern Argentina, including the West Indies.
Tradescantia Plants are a pleasant addition to any plant collection and will elevate your home decor.
Buy Beautiful Tradescantia Plants Online from Etsy Shops
We have below a list of 10 of the most popular Tradescantia Plants that grow perfectly under room conditions.
10 Beautiful Tradescantia Varieties for Indoors
Our list of the 10 best Tradescantia Plants include Tradescantia fluminensis, Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia spathacea, Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia albiflora'Nanouk', Tradescantia x andersoniana among others.
1. Small-leaf Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis)
Small-leaf Spiderwort is one of the most popular of the hanging basket Tradescantia Plants. It is fast growing and is easy to grow.
The leaves clasp the creeping or trailing stems. The undersides of leaves are pale purple (mauve). Small-leaf Spiderwort produces pale purple sap.
The Tradescantia fluminensis has the varieties variegata with cream striped leaves, Quicksilver with white striped leaves, tricolor whose leaves are striped with cream and purple, among others. Read more on Small-leaf Spiderwort and its indoor care.
2. Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida)
Purple Heart Plant also called Purple Queen bears leaves which are elongated, pointed, slightly hairy, glaucous green, fringed with red or purple.
The flowers in Purple Heart Plant are small, sterile, three-petaled and are white, pink or purple. The stems are clearly segmented and roots easily grow from the joints.
Purple Queen Plant is an easy to grow plant and readily adapts to indoor growing conditions. It is also known for its air cleaning properties. Learn how to grow and care for Purple Heart Plant.
3. Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea)
Boat Lily also called Moses-in-the-Cradle, Moses-in-a-Boat, Cradle Lily or Oyster Plant is an easy to grow plant that is excellent for small spaces.
Boat Lily bears small white flowers in purple "boats" at the base of the lower leaves and hence the common names.
Moses-in-the-Cradle flowers at any time of the year if grown under good light. It is a low-growing plant with a short stem on which are fleshy, sword-shaped, glossy green leaves with purplish-red undersides. Check out our guide on how to grow and care for Boat Lily.
4. Silver Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
Silver Inch Plant bears glistened leaves which are multicolored above. The surface color is bluish-green, banded with silver and edged in purple.
The leaves are ovate, pointed towards the tips and rounded to the base. The flowers are pink to purplish.
Silver Inch Plant is an easy care plant that will withstand a wide range of growing conditions and easily propagates; just a node of this plant will sprout into a beautiful plant in no time. Read more on how to grow and care for Silver Inch Plant.
5. Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora'Nanouk')
Tradescantia Nanouk also called Fantasy Venice Plant or Spiderwort 'Nanouk' is one of the indoor plants that has been trending recently.
Fantasy Venice Plant bears bright green, pink & purple, fuzzy leaves growing on sturdy stems and small white and yellow flowers arising from the pink buds.
piderwort 'Nanouk' is fast growing to a height of about 3–6 inches and can trail to about 12–24 inches long. Learn how to grow and care for Tradescantia Nanouk.
6. Blushing Maid Plant (Tradescantia x andersoniana)
Blushing Maid Tradescantia or Blushing Bride Tradescantia is a trailing, tender perennial plant which bears pink and white variegated new growth.
When mature the leaves turn completely green. It is advisable to cut it back regularly to encourage the new growth of pink and white variegated foliage.
Blushing Bride Tradescantia grows to a height of 6-10 inches and reaches 4-5 feet across. It is perfect for a hanging basket. Read on Blushing Maid Tradescantia and its care..
7. Chain Plant (Tradescantia navicularis)
Chain Plant also called Widow's Tears or Day Flower has two type of stems which exhibit different growth habits.
Some stems in Chain Plant are short, grow upright and bear tight overlapping leaves. The other stems spread along the ground and bear more open leaves.
Tradescantia navicularis or Callisia navicularis bears fleshy stems which are tightly clasped by thick, waxy, lance-shaped, bronze-green leaves with purple streaked undersides. Learn how to grow and care for Chain Plant.
8. Cobweb Spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana)
Cobweb Spiderwort also called White Velvet or White Gossamer Plant is a small upright perennial plant which bears highly branched hairy stems.
The leaves in Cobweb Spiderwort are oblong-lanceolate and are in the shape of a boat's keel and may have a purple tone.
The flowers are borne at the end of the stems and are a deep pink color. The plant is covered by white hairs and hence the common names. Learn how to grow and care for Cobweb Spiderwort.
9. Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia (Tradescantia chrysophylla)
Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia is a climbing or trailing plant which bears fuzzy foliage which feels like the under belly of a baby bunny.
The velvety green leaves in Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia have soft purply undersides. The plant is easy to grow indoors under sufficient light
Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia is perfect for a hanging basket as it grows to a height of 6-8 inches and can trail upto 60cm wide. Check out our guide on Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia indoor care.
10. Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)
Virginia Spiderwort also called Spider Lily or Common Spiderwort is a perennial herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on tubular stems.
The Virginia Spiderwort is a prolific bloomer with each flower lasting only a day. The flowers are blue, purple, magenta, or white and are borne in summer.
Spider Lily spreads by means of underground stolons forming clumps and grows 2-3 feet tall by 1 foot wide. Learn how to grow and care for Virginia Spiderwort.
