10 Stunning Tradescantia Varieties with Pictures and Care Guide
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The Tradescantia group of plants are some of the most popular and easy to grow indoors.
Tradescantia varieties exhibits varied colors, leaf shape, texture and growth habits.
Majority of them are perfect for a hanging basket and it is not unusual to find at least one in the home.
Below is a list of some of these beautiful Tradescantia Varieties that grow perfectly under room conditions.
Popular Tradescantia Varieties for Growing Indoors
1. Small-leaf Spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis)
Small-leaf Spiderwort is one of the most popular of the hanging basket houseplants. 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.
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 how to grow Small-leaf Spiderwort.
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. Learn more on how to grow 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 houseplant that is ideal for small spaces.
Boat Lily bears small white flowers in purple "boats" at the base of the lower leaves and hence the common names. Read more on how to grow 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. Learn how to grow Silver Inch Plant.
5. Tradescantia Nanouk (Tradescantia albiflora'Nanouk')
Tradescantia Nanouk also called Fantasy Venice Plant or Spiderwort 'Nanouk' is one of the houseplants that has been trending recently.
The Tradescantia Nanouk bears bright green, pink & purple, fuzzy leaves growing on sturdy stems. Learn more on how to grow Tradescantia Nanouk.
6. Blushing Maid (Bride) Plant (Tradescantia x andersoniana)
Blushing Maid Tradescantia is also called Blushing Bride Tradescantia. It is a trailing, tender perennial plant.
The new growth comes out variegated in pink and white variegated. The flowers are three-petaled, colored white and tinged with lilac pink. Read more on how to grow Blushing Maid Tradescantia.
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. Learn more on how to grow 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. Learn how to grow 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. Read more on how to grow Baby Bunny Bellies Tradescantia.
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. Learn more on how to grow Virginia Spiderwort.
