Inchplant
Tradescantia zebrina
- Native to:
- Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá
Juan Carlos Fonseca Mata
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Genus:
- Tradescantia
- Species:
- Tradescantia zebrina
- USDA Symbol:
- TRZE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, purple, white
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, Mouralia tinctoides, orange tortrix moth (Argyrotaenia citrana), Soybean Looper (Pseudoplusia includens), waterlily leafcutter moth (Synclita obliteralis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- native to humid, tropical forest floors
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions with light; however, this species is typically propagated by stem cuttings which root easily in water or soil.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI