Inch plant care: how to grow and maintain this fast-growing, easy houseplant

The inch plant (Tradescantia) has a multitude of excellent qualities: it’s easy to care for, fast-growing, simple to propagate, and has beautiful foliage—and sometimes even charming flowers.

Inch plant care: growing tips and maintenance

Temperature

Inch plants are easy houseplants to grow indoors, as they don’t require a cool period during winter. Normal room temperatures suit them perfectly all year round. Although they may do best if kept slightly cooler—around 15 degrees Celsius—during their winter rest, it’s not strictly necessary.

Light conditions

When growing inch plants indoors, they prefer a bright location. The darkest varieties require the most light to keep their leaf coloration vibrant. However, avoid placing them in direct, harsh sunlight, as it can cause the color of the leaves to turn brown or fade.

A softly lit east or west window is the most suitable spot when caring for inch plants indoors. A sunny south-facing window isn't recommended unless you can position the plant slightly further back to receive indirect light.

Watering and fertilizing the inch plant

Water the inch plant thoroughly, then allow the surface of the soil to dry out between waterings. If the soil remains constantly wet, the stems can rot at the base.

Fertilize the inch plant every few weeks during the growing season. In winter, you can continue to fertilize, but only once a month. It's also advisable to reduce watering during winter.

Propagating inch plants

Inch plants grow rapidly, but they also quickly become bare at the base. That’s why it’s worthwhile to propagate inch plants from cuttings; they root quickly either in a glass of water or directly in soil. If you want to make an older plant bushier, place cuttings to grow at the base of the mother plant.

Cut 5–7 cm tips from the ends of the stems. Remove the lowest leaves and set to root. You can take cuttings at any time of the year.

If you plant the cuttings directly in soil, place several cuttings in the same pot, so your inch plant grows dense right from the start.

Different inch plants: get to know the varieties

Purple heart

The purple heart (Tradescantia pallida) has vibrantly colored stems and produces small flowers at their ends.

Cobweb spiderwort

The cobweb spiderwort (Tradescantia sillamontana) is known for its silvery, hairy leaves.

Silver inch plant

The silver inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) flaunts its striped leaves, with undersides that are a vivid purple.

Oyster plant

The oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea) has fresh green leaves with dark purple undersides, giving it a charming appearance.