A Splash Of Color: Everything About Tradescantia Bubblegum Lilac

Our Tradescantia Bubblegum/Lilac is a unique tricolor variety you will definitely want to consider if you want to add some vibrancy to your home decor. The following guide will help you learn everything you need to know about this Tradescantia plant.

To all of our customers: we wrongly advertised this plant as Tradescantia Fluminensis Tricolor "Nanouk", while the right denomination is Tradescantia Blossfeldiana cerinthoides variegata "Bubblegum/Lilac”. Unfortunately, we were given the wrong name by our supplier and we made the mistake to trust it and not look into it more accurately. We are deeply sorry about it, and we take full responsibility. We promptly modified the name that appears on the tags coming with the plant in stores – please allow some time for them to change due to printing times. Everyone makes mistakes – we are human, after all! – what's important is to always learn from them. We will make sure to check into the names of our plants more carefully from now on. Thank you for your understanding!

About Tradescantia Bubblegum

Tradescantia Bubblegum/Lilac is well-known for its distinct colorations that evoke the hues of an aurora borealis, along with its hanging vines, which are often put on full display when the plant is placed inside a hanging pot. This plant is ideal for growing indoors due to its hardy nature and the relative ease with which it can thrive in most indoor conditions. As long as you will give it a good amount of filtered light and prune it regularly, you will enjoy your Tradescantia for many years.

Keep in mind that the sap contained in Tradescantia's leaves can be irritating, so make sure to wash your hands after handling the leaves or wear gloves when you touch them. It is considered mildly toxic when ingested, so you want to keep it out of reach of any pets.

This plant can be easily propagated by stem cuttings.

Watering

Tradescantia is a hardy plant that requires regular, non-fussy watering. Water more often during the summer months to keep the soil moist while you can let the plant dry out slightly from November to March.

Consider watering from the bottom, or using a self-watering pot instead of watering from the top: waterlogging the plant can increase the chances for problems such as root rot.

Sunlight

Tradescantia requires a lot of indirect sunlight to grow and thrive—exposure to at least six hours daily is best.

The colorful pigments you see on the leaves will begin to fade if the plant doesn't get enough sunlight; if you notice the colors on your plant are fading, this is a sign that it needs to be moved to an area with more light exposure.

Never place your plant in direct sunlight, as this can cause scorching on the leaves. Tradescantia can tolerate very early or very late sun only: placing it in front of an East or west-facing window is ideal.

Temperatures

Tradescantia thrives in moderate temperatures and can do well in most climates.

Moderate warm temperatures will promote fast growth, whereas colder temperatures promote slower growth. The best is to keep your Tradescantia between 65 and 75 °F (18-24 °C) during the day, and around 65 °F (18°C) at night.

Avoid exposing the plant to prolonged cold temperatures or frost. Frost will likely kill the plant outright, whereas prolonged cold temperatures will damage the leaves.

Tradescantia requires moderate levels of humidity; mist the leaves if you notice then becoming brown or crispy.

Fertilizer

Tradescantia is well-known for being hardy, and its fertilizer requirements are not very heavy.

However, if you want to boost growth and promote continued vibrancy, you may want to follow a feeding schedule.

We recommend feeding every two months, from April to October only, by using a 20-5-10 liquid fertilizer. Fertilizer is not required from November to March.

Growth

Tradescantia is a fast grower. During the warm season, it can grow as much as an inch per week as long as its care requirements are being met.

While the plant is relatively short (the total height of the plant does not typically exceed about 6 inches total), the stems can grow very long—as long as 6 feet.

Many people choose to display their Tradescantia as a hanging plant and create a dramatic effect that will make a visual impact in just about any space. If you prefer a different look, you can choose to pinch the stems to keep them short.

Pruning

How often and drastically you prune your Tradescantia will largely depend on how you want to display your plant. Its natural tendency is to "vine" and spread out, so you will need to prune regularly if you want to keep it tidy.

If you place the plant in a hanging pot, then you will likely want to let the stems grow as long as possible. Do minimal pruning with an emphasis on removing dead leaves or branches.

If you would prefer to keep your Tradescantia on the shorter side, then regular pruning and pinching will be required. Pinching the leaves and stems back will keep the long vines from growing, and help the plant maintain healthy growth.

Remember that pruned stems can be used to propagate new plants!

Soil And Repotting

You want to repot your Tradescantia once a year to give more space for the roots to grow.

Select a pot that is 1-2″ wider than the current one and use a well-draining peat-based potting mix, or create your own by mixing 2 parts peat with 1 part perlite.

Common Problems

The most common problems with Tradescantia include falling leaves and leaves that discolor.

If you notice the leaves of your Tradescantia plant begin to fall, this may be a sign that the plant is old and likely won't last much longer. It can also be a sign of extensive underwatering, particularly if you notice that the stems have become limp.

If the leaves on your Tradescantia plant look healthy but are fading in color, this is a sign that your plant isn't getting enough light. If you notice the leaves are beginning to fade, it's time to move the plant with an area that has more light.