Pot diameter 17cm
Care for Tradescantia fluminensis 'Quadricolor'
Tradescantia 'Quadricolor' is one of the least demanding houseplants, suitable even for beginners. Its breathtaking five-colored leaves will brighten any corner, and thanks to its rapid growth, it will soon create a lush, colorful waterfall.
Watering
Water when the top 1/2 of the pot's soil is dry. Tradescantia prefers moderate moisture, but thanks to its succulent stems, it can survive short periods of drought. Unlike Caladiums, a lack of water doesn't immediately cause it to droop but rather to soften its leaves. Use room temperature, standing water; icy water can cause shock and browning of the leaves.
Light
It thrives best in bright indirect light. Sufficient brightness is crucial for maintaining the pink, purple, and cream stripes.
In low light, the plant will start to "green up" (produce more chlorophyll), its growth will become leggy with large gaps between leaves, and the stems will be weak.
Beware of sunburn: Direct midday sun in summer can burn the delicate white and pink parts of the leaves. An east-facing window or a bright spot a little away from a south-facing window is ideal.
Temperature and Humidity
Ideal temperature: 18–27 °C.
Cold: Does not tolerate freezing temperatures and a sharp drop below 12 °C.
Humidity: Unlike aroids, it tolerates normal household humidity well (around 40–50%). Higher humidity is beneficial but not essential. If the leaf tips are brown and dry, it is usually due to irregular watering or excessive dryness near a radiator. Misting the leaves is not recommended for this species, as water remaining in the leaf axils can cause rot.
Fertilization
During the growing season (spring–autumn), fertilize once every 14–30 days with liquid houseplant fertilizer. Half the concentration is sufficient. Due to its rapid growth, it quickly uses up fertilizer, but be careful not to over-fertilize, which can reduce the intensity of colors.
Substrate and Maintenance
Substrate: A common, good quality potting mix for houseplants mixed with a little perlite for better drainage will suffice. It is not as demanding of special mixtures as aroids.
Maintenance (Important): To keep the plant looking dense and colorful, it is necessary to regularly pinch it back. If the stems become too bare, simply cut off the tops and root them in water or directly back into the soil – they root very quickly.
