Inch Plant (Tradescantia spp.)


Inch Plant Plant Features

Inch plant is an old-school houseplant that's still popular today because it's so easy to grow. The trailing stems make it perfect choice for growing in hanging baskets, but it's also stunning when allowed to spread across a tabletop or other surface. 

There are several varieties of inch plant available with different leaf colors and sizes, so it's easy to find one that will look perfect in your home or office. You can dress up these classic houseplants with a interesting container to give them a contemporary look.

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Inch Plant Growing Instructions

Grow inch plant in medium or bright light. It tolerates low light for a time, but the plant's overall health will decline if kept in too little light for too long. Most types of inch plant can take a little direct sun on their leaves, making them fun choices for growing in a sunny window. 

Water inch plant when the potting mix starts to dry. These houseplants do best in relatively moist soil. 

Fertilize inch plant if you wish. You can do it as infrequently as once or twice a year (spring and summer are the best times) or on a more regular basis. Just use a fertilizer formulated for use on houseplants and follow the directions on the packaging. 

Prune inch plant anytime you wish if the stems get too long or lanky. 

Inch plants are not intended for human or animal consumption. 
  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Indoors: Medium light

  • Colors

    Green

    Variegated

  • Special Features

    Purifies the air


Complement your Inch Plant

Anthurium
Anthurium is a lovely counterpart to many varieties of inch plant.

China Doll
Grow inch plant as a lovely groundcover under China doll or other houseplant trees.


Our favorite varieties

Red Hill Inch Plant

Red Hill Inch Plant

Tradescantia cerinthoides

This houseplant has medium green leaves and is a little faster growing than other Tradescantia varieties. In good light, Tradescantia cerinthoides produces small, lavender-purple flowers.

Purple Heart

Purple Heart

Tradescantia pallida

Purple heart is a popular plant to grow outdoors as a colorful annual or indoors as a lovely houseplant. It offers purple foliage and small pink flowers. Full sun

Oyster Plant

Oyster Plant

Tradescantia spathacea

Oyster plant, also called Moses-in-a-basket or Moses-in-a-cradle, has variegated green leaves that are purple underneath. It derives its common name because of the oyster-like flowers. Oyster plant also makes a fun annual outdoors in sunny spots.

Variegated Inch Plant

Variegated Inch Plant

Tradescantia zebrina

Easy to grow and featuring attractively striped leaves, it's no wonder this variety of inch plant is a classic houseplant that's loved by generations of gardeners.

Burgundy Inch Plant

Burgundy Inch Plant

Tradescantia 'Burgundy'

Burgundy inch plant features rich burgundy-purple leaves variegated with silver stripes along the edges. Its trailing habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets or growing along tabletops or mantles.

Baby Bunny Bellies Inch Plant

Baby Bunny Bellies Inch Plant

Tradescantia 'Baby Bunny Bellies'

Deriving its adorable common name from the soft, velvety leaves, Baby Bunny Bellies inch plant is has trailing stems. The foliage has attractive purple undersides. It can trail to 12 inches.

Nanouk Inch Plant

Nanouk Inch Plant

Tradescantia fluminensis 'Nanouk'

Nanouk is a stunning newer selection that shows off large green leaves liberally striped with creamy pink and white. The underside of the foliage is a contrasting hot pink. Plant patent 29,711.