Silver Inch Plant

Overview

Tradescantia zebrina is a trailing, evergreen perennial species which acts as a great ground cover and climbing plant in non-frost-prone climates. It has attractive, colourful foliage and produces rosy-purple, 3-petalled flowers. In mild climates, it's a garden ornamental, cultivated for borders and also used in beds and pots. It's also grown indoors as a houseplant, but this species requires bright, indirect light, regular pruning and won't cope with freezing temperatures well. Their flowers unfold one at a time to preserve energy, usually in the morning and will generally close with the afternoon sun. They may remain open on cloudy days. Care must be taken, as it may cause allergic reaction in some pets, if ingested. Plants in the genus Tradescantia have until recently been commonly known as ‘Wandering Jew’. This name is no longer used by the horticultural world due to its historical use in supporting antisemitic stereotypes.