Tradescantia is one of the most popular and common indoor plants. Pots with it are often decorated with window sills of both personal apartments and offices. This plant belongs to the Commeline family and is distinguished by high decorative qualities.
Description of tradescantia
Homeland tradescantia room - tropical and subtropical regions of both Americas. It is a perennial herb with a long stem. The latter is densely dotted with small fleshy ovoid leaves. Thanks to their beauty, the tradescantia has gained such popularity among modern lovers of indoor flowers. In different species of this plant, the color of the leaves may vary.
There are flowers with pure green plates, and with two-tone or even purple. Both the leaves and the stem are covered with a thick whitish pile. Tradescantia flowers (a photo of this plant can be seen on the page) is not very effective. The shade of the buds can vary from white and pink to blue and purple. Tradescantia grows quite high, while losing some of its decorative qualities. Therefore, experts advise replanting it or updating it more often.
Tradescantia in nature
As already mentioned, the homeland of the room tradescantia is the American subtropics. This plant has received the greatest distribution in the southeastern part of North America. In the countries of this continent, tradescantia is considered a malicious weed. In nature, it is a groundcover with fairly rare leaves and a superficial root system. This flower was named after the world famous naturalist, an experienced gardener and an enthusiastic collector - John Tradescant. He served as the chief gardener of the English king and traveled extensively around the world, collecting the most beautiful and interesting plants. It was this researcher who first made a description of the Commeline family, including the tradescantia.
Medicinal properties
Many flower growers plant tradescanti not only for beauty. This plant is actually a real storehouse of vitamins. The leaves of such an indoor flower as a tradescantia (the birthplace of the plant is hot sunny countries) are applied to wounds, as they have anti-inflammatory and hemostatic effects. In addition, the juice has antidiabetic properties.
Tradescantia and pets
The leaves of this useful plant are very fond of nibbling cats. Usually, the owners allow them to do this with pleasure, since there are really many vitamins in them. Very often tradescantia is set over aquariums. And so that its branches with leaves fell directly into the water. Aquarium fish, just like cats, enjoy eating them.
Types of Tradescantia
In America, you can find a variety of groups of such a flower as tradescantia (the birthplace of the plant is the place where more than 90 of its species grow). Of course, only a few are divorced in room conditions. The most popular are tradescantia virginia, zebrina, riverine and multi-flowered. Next, we consider what distinguishing features are characterized by these varieties.
Zebrina tradescantia
Tradescantia, whose species are diverse, is usually a creeper. This kind of exception does not represent an exception in this regard. This is a pretty beautiful ampel plant with purplish-red stems. The leaves of this species are ovoid, with a pointed tip, reddish-green, with silver streaks. The bottom of the plate has a purple hue. The flowers of the zebra tradescantia are pink, can reach 1-2 cm in diameter.
Riverside Tradescantia
The shoots of this species are also creeping. They can reach four meters in length. The birthplace of the tradescantia is America, where it is a wonderful plant (in contact with water or land) in the places of attachment of leaves produces roots. Of course, this property is preserved in room conditions. The leaves of this species can reach 6 cm in length and have an ovoid shape. Their color varies depending on the variety. Very beautiful, for example, the riverine tradescantia Variegata, with white-green leaves. At Quicksilver they are silver-green, and Maiden Blush is appreciated for the hot pink color of young shoots.
Multi-flowered Tradescantia
It is also a creeping plant with upright shoots, the height of which can reach 15 cm. The leaves of this variety are ovoid, shiny, green above, purple below. One of the varieties is valued for variegated white-green plates. Tradescantia flowers (a photo of it can be seen below) of this variety has white ones, growing in large quantities. From here, in fact, its name came.
Virgin tradescantia
This is a growing species, reaching a height of 60-90 cm. Its shoots have a tubular shape, and the leaves grow very long (up to 40 cm). Their color is bright green.
How to care for a plant
Homeland tradescantia room - marshy areas of the tropics. Therefore, all its varieties are moisture- and photophilous. To place a pot with this plant is best on the windowsill. At least a few direct sunlight should fall on its leaves and stems. In penumbra, the tradescantia (with pure green leaves) will also grow, but its color will not be so bright.
Watering this plant in the summer is often necessary. The soil under the tradescantia should be constantly moist. In cold weather, watering is reduced, but not completely canceled. The dry air of this houseplant also tolerates very poorly. Therefore, in the summer it is sprayed at least twice a day.
Fertilize tradescantia in spring and summer. At the same time, they use special dressing for ornamental plants, which you can buy in a specialized store. Make it into the soil with a frequency of once every two weeks.
Transplant Rules
As already mentioned, in order for the tradescantia plant not to be translated, it needs to be transplanted from time to time. Perform this procedure in the spring. Young plants are recommended to be replanted once a year, old ones - no more than every 2-3 years. When transplanted, the flower is trimmed at the same time. Also, each time under it you need to arrange a good drainage from clay shards or pebbles.
Breeding
America is the birthplace of the tradescantia, where it propagates mainly vegetatively, that is, it releases roots from the nodes of the stem. In room conditions, it can be grown from seeds, from cuttings, or by dividing the bush. The second method is used most often. This plant can be propagated with cuttings at any time of the year. For this, planting material with a length of about 15 cm is suitable. Cuttings should be planted 5-8 pieces in a pot. Rooting them very quickly - within a few days.
It is very difficult to get the seeds of tradescantia, and therefore at home this plant is rarely propagated in this way. Bush division is used more often. However, tradescantia can be propagated in this way only in spring, that is, when young shoots begin to grow on it.
What problems may arise when growing tradescantia
From time to time, the tradescantia at home begins to look sick and lethargic. The reasons may be different. For example, if the tips of the leaves begin to dry at the tradescantia, while acquiring a brown color, then you need to increase the humidity in the room or at least remove the pot away from the central heating battery. The cause of this trouble is usually the excessive dryness of the air.
If this is combined with lethargy of the stems, then the plant simply does not have enough water. That is, you need to increase the frequency of watering. If there is too much water, the stem of the tradescantia near the soil itself will turn brown and begin to rot. Lack of illumination is manifested in this plant by loss of leaf color.
Pests and diseases
Tradescantia flowers are quite beautiful, but, unfortunately, they are often affected by harmful insects. One of the most dangerous is the spider mite. To its appearance on the leaves that it damages, in addition to infection, leads to dry air. A sign of damage to the plant precisely by the spider mite is the presence of cobwebs in the internodes. Leaves in diseased plants begin to fall off.
In order to get rid of the tradescantia from this scourge, it must be washed under running water and wipe the leaves with soapy water. You can also spray the plant with 0.15% “Actellica” solution.
So, now you know that the homeland of the tradescantia room is America. Despite the light and moisture lovingness, this plant is considered unpretentious in gardeners. In any case, it is worth using it to decorate apartments, offices or balconies.