Inchplant

Inchplant Tradescantia zebrina

What is the plant

The Inchplant is a herbaceous plant of the Commelinaceae family. It is native to Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and the Caribbean islands.

The unusual color of the leaves distinguishes this plant. On the underside, they are painted in a purple hue; on the top, they are two-tone. A green-purple stripe runs along the central vein of the leaf; on the sides of it, there are wide silvery stipes. The center and edges of the leaf have a purple-green tint. The leaves are oval in form and rounded at the base.

Young plants' shoots are upright, but they begin to droop as they age. They are 30 in (80 cm) in length. Inchplant rarely blooms at home.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

8a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

Water
The soil in the pot should be somewhat damp but not wet at all times. The state of the topsoil should be considered while adjusting the frequency of watering. The Inchplant can be watered once its soil has dried out by 1-2 cm. The plant is watered more frequently in the summer and less frequently in the winter.
Sunlight
The Inchplant will thrive in a well-lit environment. The ideal location for this plant is east- and west-facing windows. Bright diffused light will help the foliage look healthy.
Fertilizer
Begin fertilizing the Inchplant in the spring and continue to do so throughout its active growth period. Every two weeks, spray complex fertilizers onto the soil. Inchplant does not require top dressing in the autumn and winter. Don’t feed ill or weakened plants that have recently been transplanted.

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Soil
The ideal soil for Inchplant is a 2:1:1:1 mix of leaf and sod land, humus, and sand. You may also use store-bought variegated plant mix. Add about a quarter of the sand from the whole volume of the soil to the pre-mixed soil, and you’re all set.
Pruning
Pinch the tops of the shoots to encourage further branching of the Inchplant. As a result, its growth is paused, and the bush seems compact. Clip the old shoots that have lost their appeal on a regular basis – this will make the bush more appealing.
Propagation
The Inchplant is propagated by cuttings, seeds, or by dividing the mother plant. Growing from seeds is the most time-consuming method in home conditions. For propagation by cutting, cut off the apical parts of the shoots with 3-4 pairs of leaves. To get a more lush bush, root several cuttings at once.

The easiest method is to divide the adult bush into smaller ones if it has grown too large and then plant them.

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Temperature
The Inchplant is unpretentious to growing conditions; therefore, it’s perfect for beginners. Maintain the temperature in winter at 54-59°F (12-15°C), and in summer – 64-77°F (18-25°C).
Container
It’s better to choose a low, broad container with drainage holes for your Inchplant. To minimize moisture stagnation, put a layer of expanded clay, polystyrene, or small stones on the bottom of the pot. Adult Inchplant is usually repotted every two years, whereas young plants are transplanted once a year in the spring.
Fun fact
The plant got its Latin name due to its distinctive tint of the leaves with a silvery sheen and stripes of various shades, resembling a zebra pattern.
Popularity
54,411 people already have this plant 13,361 people have added this plant to their wishlists