A lightning-fast grower featuring striking zebra-striped leaves with a metallic purple sheen.

Tradescantia (Inch Plant) Mastery

Bright Light

Keep Slightly Moist

Needs Pruning

Toxic Sap

Growth Snapshot

Core care pillars at a glance

Toxic to pets and people

Tradescantia (Inch Plant) can cause irritation or illness if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children.

Irritant: unknown
Severity: mild
Symptoms: If ingested by pets or humans, mouth and stomach irritation can result. Handling or contact with this plant can cause skin irritation and redness.

The Full Picture

The Tradescantia is one of the fastest-growing houseplants in the world, but it has a frustrating habit: as the vines grow long, the older leaves at the base turn crispy and fall off, leaving long, ugly, bare stems. To keep the plant looking lush and full, you must ruthlessly prune it. Cut the long vines off, pinch off the bottom leaves, and stick the cut stem right back into the top of the soil. It will root in days and keep the pot looking full.