🌿 Tradescantia Care Guide
(Tradescantia zebrina, Nanouk, Purple Heart, Quadricolor, Pink Princess, and related varieties)
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🌤️ Light
Thrives in bright indirect light.
Colorful or variegated types (Nanouk, Quadricolor, Pink Princess) need brighter light to maintain bold coloring.
Too little light = faded color, leggy vines, and weak stems.
Avoid harsh midday sun — can cause leaf burn, especially on lighter varieties.
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💧 Water
Water when the top 1–2 inches of soil are dry.
Tradescantia like consistent moisture but hate soggy soil.
Overwatering → mushy stems, leaf drop, root rot.
Underwatering → crispy edges, dull color, slowed growth.
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💨 Humidity
Average home humidity (40–60%) is fine.
Higher humidity helps prevent crispy tips for more delicate varieties (Nanouk).
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🌡️ Temperature
Ideal range: 65–80°F.
Avoid cold drafts — they show stress fast with collapse or dull coloring.
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🪴 Soil & Potting
Use a well-draining soil mix:
potting soil
perlite + a touch of bark or coco chips
Repot yearly or when roots fill the pot.
Tradescantia grow fast and appreciate fresh soil to stay lush.
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✂️ Growth Habit & Pruning
Fast growers that trail, bush, or climb depending on support.
Pinch stems regularly for a fuller, bushier plant.
Long, leggy vines can be trimmed and propagated easily in water or soil.
They root extremely quickly — great for beginners.
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⚠️ Troubleshooting Guide
Leggy, stretched vines
Needs brighter light.
Trim back and propagate for density.
Brown/crispy edges
Can be from underwatering, low humidity, or salt buildup.
Flush soil occasionally with clean water to remove excess salts.
Dull or faded coloration
Not enough light or overwatering.
Provide brighter indirect light.
Mushy stems / stem collapse
Overwatering or cold temps.
Improve drainage and check for rot.
Leaf drop at the base
Normal aging, but pruning encourages fresh growth.
Rotate plant to keep even light exposure.
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✨ Quick Care Tips
Tradescantia love bright light + regular trimming.
Replace soil yearly to keep them vibrant.
Perfect for hanging baskets, shelves, or mixed arrangements.
Take cuttings often — they’re one of the easiest plants to propagate.
