Plant Care Lilac Tradescantia

Lilac Tradescantia

4.8 out of 5 (8 experiences)

Lilac Tradescantia has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower
Lilac Tradescantia has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate

About Lilac Tradescantia

This cultivar of Tradescantia fluminensis is an exceptionally easy plant to care for and might surprise you with some of their delightful white blossoms. They are extremely easy to propagate by stem and one plant can give rise to dozens of new ones, which makes them great for sharing. 🤝 As houseplants they often trail, but will also creep along the ground if grown outdoors. Their succulent leaves make them sensitive to frost, so be sure to bring them indoors if your winter temperatures dip below freezing. ❄️

Taxonomy

Tradescantia fluminensis 'Lilac'
Tradescantia
Commelinaceae
Commelinales

Also known as

Lilac Spiderwort

How to care for Lilac Tradescantia

💦 Water

How often to water your Lilac Tradescantia

Water needs for Lilac Tradescantia
0.5 cups
every 9

Lilac Tradescantia needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Lilac Tradescantia

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Lilac Tradescantia in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Lilac Tradescantia: 3ft from a window
3ft or less from
a window

Lilac Tradescantia may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Lilac Tradescantia in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Lilac Tradescantia

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Lilac Tradescantia: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Lilac Tradescantia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #LilacTradescantia
💡 FAQs
💦 Water Needs

Lilac Tradescantia prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Lilac Tradescantia Water Frequency →

Lilac Tradescantia Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Lilac Tradescantia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Lilac Tradescantia Light Requirements →

Lilac Tradescantia Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.

If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.


💨 Humidity

Lilac Tradescantia doesn’t require additional humidity. Plants absorb most water through their root system rather than their leaves, so the best way to provide humidity for your plants is through watering the soil.

Lilac Tradescantia Humidity Needs →


🪴 Soil

Lilac Tradescantia does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Lilac Tradescantia →

When and How to Successfully Repot Lilac Tradescantia →


💩 Fertilizer

Lilac Tradescantia should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!


❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Lilac Tradescantia to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.


🌎 Native Region

Lilac Tradescantia is native to the Americas.


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Lilac Tradescantia

Lilac Tradescantia

Lilac Tradescantia


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 3ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

What other plant parents say

Lilac Tradescantia has a Fast grower plant personality Fast grower 7
Lilac Tradescantia has a Easy to propagate plant personality Easy to propagate 5
Lilac Tradescantia has a Survivor plant personality Survivor 2
Lilac Tradescantia has a Large, lush leaves plant personality Large, lush leaves 2
Lilac Tradescantia has a Blooms easily plant personality Blooms easily 1
Harley avatar
@Harley
leaf-1 2 Plants
xp 47 XP
09/23/2021

it is super pretty

Fast grower Fast grower
@Pennock avatar
@@Pennock
leaf-1 44 Plants
xp 1,196 XP
globe Ketchikan, AK
09/17/2021

This is a succulent. Don’t over water it!

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@Happlesful avatar
@@Happlesful
leaf-1 88 Plants
xp 3,014 XP
globe Newstead, Queensland
08/25/2021

Such a beautiful plant. Especially when the sunlight hits and the purple seems to glow through. This one likes to be watered every 3-4 days although it’s been super easy to maintain.

Fast grower Fast grower
Large, lush leaves Large, lush leaves
Blooms easily Blooms easily
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate
Survivor Survivor
@katya avatar
@@katya
leaf-1 6 Plants
xp 210 XP
05/04/2021

beautiful variegation, mist often as it loves humidity. When you propagate a stem, you will see roots form in just 2-3 days. Make sure to place in a bright, indirect place so the leaves get enough light so they don’t turn a solid green.

Fast grower Fast grower
Easy to propagate Easy to propagate

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