Small-leaf spiderwort

Small-leaf spiderwort Care

Tradescantia fluminensis

What is the plant

Small-leaf spiderwort, often referred to by its Latin name Tradescantia fluminensis, is an attractive, easy-to-grow plant that requires little maintenance. This plant's fast growth and easy propagation mean you'll be able to share it with your friends, family and neighbors.

The small-leaf spiderwort, or the river spiderwort, inch plant, or wandering jew plant, is a plant from the Commelinaceae family and is closely related to species like the dayflower. A perennial, it originates from the South American continent but enjoys worldwide popularity as a house plant.

The small-leaf spiderwort can be identified by its broad rounded leaves that come to a point and grow along its herbaceous stem. These plants can create an extensive ground cover and produce distinctive three-petaled white flowers; both characteristics are crucial in identifying the plant.

This species is considered invasive in many areas of the world, including New Zealand and parts of North America, Europe, and Africa.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

18°C - 25°C

Hardiness zone

10a - 11b

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

Invasive

Weed

How to Care for the Plant

Water
It is essential not to overwater these guys but to ensure they have enough moisture. You should water around once a week; if the plant's soil is still damp from the last time, wait until it is almost completely dry.
Pruning
Remove overgrowth by cutting after the "nodes" or where branches and leaves stem from a branch.
Fertilizer
A watered-down general fertilization once a month will help your small-leaf spiderwort grow quickly, but fertilization is not necessary.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
These plants enjoy bright sunlight, but make sure they are not directly in it for long, as more than an hour or two can damage them.
Soil
Regular general gardening soil works perfectly.
Propagation
Simply place a cut of your small-leaf spiderwort in some moist soil—no need to place the plant in some water to grow its roots first.

When growing from seeds, place the seed under a thin layer of soil and water, as discussed in this article.

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Temperature
65-85˚F (18-29°C) keep these guys happy, they can do well with more heat, but you should keep them from cooler and especially freezing temperatures.
Container
Clay pots with adequate drainage are the best containers for these plants. The pot's size depends on the plant size, and we recommend increasing the container size at least once a year. As a general rule for pot size, ensure the core of the small-leaf spider wort's root system has about a 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) of space around it.
Fun fact
We recommend wearing protective gloves when handling the small-leaf spiderworts as contact with its sap may cause minor damage to your skin.