Table of Contents
- 1. Tradescantia Red Hill (Tradescantia pallida ‘Red Hill’):
- 2. Tradescantia Nanouak (Tradescantia zebrina ‘Nanouak’):
- 3. Tradescantia Silimontana (Tradescantia sillamontana):
- 4. Tradescantia Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’):
- 5. Tradescantia Baby Bunny Bellies (Tradescantia ‘Baby Bunny Bellies’):
- 6. Tradescantia Spathica Sitar’s Gold (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitar’s Gold’):
- 7. Tradescantia Zebrina “Burgundy” (Tradescantia zebrina ‘Burgundy’):
- 8. Tradescantia Teddy Bear Vines (Tradescantia navicularis):
- 9. Tradescantia Alboflora Albovittata (Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Alboflora Albovittata’):
- 10. Tradescantia Dragon’s Tail (Tradescantia pallida ‘Dragon’s Tail’):
- 11. Tradescantia Mundula “Tricolor”
Tradescantia, commonly known as “Spiderwort,” has earned its place as a beloved genus of houseplants. These plants are celebrated for their striking foliage, versatility, and ease of care, making them a favorite among both novice and experienced indoor gardeners. With a wide range of species and cultivars available, selecting the perfect Tradescantia for your indoor garden can be an exciting yet challenging endeavor. In this comprehensive guide, we will introduce you to the top 10 best Tradescantia varieties, each possessing unique characteristics and charm that will elevate the aesthetics of your indoor space.
1. Tradescantia Red Hill (Tradescantia pallida ‘Red Hill’):
Tradescantia Red Hill is a captivating cultivar celebrated for its lush, deep-green leaves with a burgandy or purple back. These elongated, lance-shaped forest colored leaves create a striking contrast with its brilliant purple stems. This variety thrives in a vast variety of lighting conditions and is ideally suited for hanging planters, thanks to its cascading growth habit.
2. Tradescantia Nanouak (Tradescantia zebrina ‘Nanouak’):
Nanouak is a delightful Tradescantia variety characterized by its dramatic neon pink and green-striped leaves. Its creeping or trailing vines make it a superb choice for hanging baskets or as a ground cover. Nanouak is adaptable and grows more quickly and more vibrant with more light. For more pink be sure to put your plant in more light rather then less or you will end up with more green then pink.
3. Tradescantia Silimontana (Tradescantia sillamontana):
Also known as the “White Velvet” Tradescantia, this species boasts fuzzy, silvery-green leaves resembling delicate snow covered foliage. This is a plant that is incredibly soft to touch and instead of using vareigation to protect itself from the sun it used hairs. More sun means a more hairy plant. Its truly incredible. Its tolerance for drought makes it an exceptional choice for forgetful gardeners or those with busy schedules as well.
4. Tradescantia Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’):
Purple Heart is a classic favorite adored for its striking purple foliage and vibrant pink flowers. Its vigorous growth and minimal maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for both novices and experienced plant enthusiasts. While it can adapt to various light conditions, brighter light intensifies its purple hue. Usually in the winter time it will revert back to all green foliage and then when summer sun comes back it will induce the purple coloration again. Its a truly marvelous transformation. Be sure to acclimate your plant to the new lighting conditions to prevent burning leaves though.
5. Tradescantia Baby Bunny Bellies (Tradescantia ‘Baby Bunny Bellies’):
With its soft, velvety leaves and endearing name, Baby Bunny Bellies is an enchanting Tradescantia variety. Its deep emerald leaves feature shades of green with a deep purple background lending it an elegant and distinctivly luxurious appearance. This compact plant is perfect for small spaces or charming terrarium displays. It also looks amazing trailing down shelves or in hanging baskets.
6. Tradescantia Spathica Sitar’s Gold (Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitar’s Gold’):
Sitar’s Gold is a remarkable Tradescantia variety known for its graceful, variegated leaves showcasing color pallettes of creamy yellow and green. Its upright growth habit and fast growing properties make it an excellent addition to any indoor setting. This is one Tradescantia that becomes more bushy before it begins to trail and can be pruned to apear as a more vertical plant. Something most Tradescantia cannot do.
7. Tradescantia Zebrina “Burgundy” (Tradescantia zebrina ‘Burgundy’):
Zebrina Burgundy is a captivating Tradescantia variety distinguished by its deep burgundy leaves adorned with glittering silver and green stripes. This plant’s trailing nature makes it a superb choice for hanging containers, while its striking coloration adds a touch of drama to your living space. Like other Tradescantia varieties when given light this plant will transform into a sea of vibrant glittering burgundy foliage that is irresistible.
8. Tradescantia Teddy Bear Vines (Tradescantia navicularis):
The Teddy Bear Vines variety features chunky, green leaves with a chocolate underside and chocolate colored stems. It getsbits name teddy bear vines because it is incredibly soft and fuzzy even including its stem. Its bushy growth habit is often utilized as a ground cover in terrariums or vivariums but it looks incredible as a trailing houseplant as the dark green and chocolate brown coloration compliment each other so well.
9. Tradescantia Alboflora Albovittata (Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Alboflora Albovittata’):
Alboflora Albovittata is a visually stunning Tradescantia with leaves adorned in white and green stripes. More light brings out more white variegation. What most descriptions of this plant fail to mention is how the entire leaf glitters. Both the green and the white on the foliage seem to have been doused in a very subtle glitter that becomes more evident is more light. This trailing plant is a wonderful candidate for hanging baskets or cascading planters, adding a touch of elegance to any space.
10. Tradescantia Dragon’s Tail (Tradescantia pallida ‘Dragon’s Tail’):
Dragon’s Tail is an exceptional Tradescantia variety cherished for its striking green and purple foliage and cascading growth pattern. The edges ofbthe foliage have slight ruffles and are spear shaped while being layered naturally to look like the tip of a dragons tail. Its trailing vines can achieve impressive lengths, making it an eye-catching choice for both indoor and outdoor gardens. The visual wow factor is only increased as each green leaf is tipped with a vibrant purple in brighter light.
11. Tradescantia Mundula “Tricolor”
The tricolor is so named because it has 3 separate colors of variegation on it. It has a creamy white, with a delicate pale pink and stripes of a lighter green strewn about. Everything about this plant is a vibrant and delicate spring palate that is perfect for any space. Lighting is slightly more difficult with this plant because to much can burn the lighter colors while to little can slow growth and develop more green. This is not a beginner Tradescantia but it is a must have for Tradescantia loving homes.
Tradescantia plants offer a diverse and enchanting addition to any indoor space. With their spectrum of colors, intricate patterns, and varied growth habits, there is a perfect Tradescantia for every color, style, and space. Whether you are a seasoned plant enthusiast or embarking on your green journey, these top 10 Tradescantia varieties open up a world of possibilities to enhance the beauty and allure of your houseplant collection. Embrace the world of Tradescantia and infuse your home with the elegance of nature.
