How to care for Inch Plant
Tradescantia zebrina · Commelinaceae
One of the fastest, flashiest trailing plants: leaves striped in silver and green above and rich purple below, shimmering in good light. Cuttings root almost anywhere, so a full basket is never far away. Its only real ask is enough light to keep the stripes bright and the stems full. Water roughly every 6 days while it's growing (about every 10 in winter), give it bright, indirect light, kept above 50°F (10°C) — average room humidity suits it.
Care at a glance
Water when the top few centimeters dry; it wilts a little when thirsty and perks up within hours.
Bright indirect light with a touch of gentle sun keeps the silver-and-purple striping vivid.
Half-strength balanced liquid feed monthly in spring and summer.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Low light, which turns it into bare green string within months.
- Standing water in the pot rotting the fragile stems.
- Never restarting it, since old stems naturally bald from the base.
Seasonal tips
- Pinch and prune constantly; it is naturally leggy and thrives on haircuts.
- Poke cuttings back into the pot to keep the basket full.
- Refresh old, sparse plants entirely from cuttings each spring or two.
Is it safe for pets?
We have Inch Plant recorded as toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Inch Plant on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against the ASPCA's published lists, which this one is matched to, or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.