Are you a fan of the Tradescantia species? Here’s an informative Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant Care guide to help you out!
Tradescantia species are very hardy indoor plants. Easy maintenance, adaptability, and stunning foliage make these plants the first choice of homeowners. If you are looking for a fantastic Tradescantia to grace your indoors, head on to this Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant Care guide!
- Botanical Name: Tradescantia albiflora var. ‘Nanouk’
- USDA Zones: 10-12
- Prized for variegated foliage
- A vigorous, fast grower
- Needs pruning to avoid a leggy appearance
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Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant Information
Tradescantia Bubble Gum is adaptable to growing in various growing conditions, making it an easy and convenient houseplant. It can grow in the form of both climbers and creepers. The foliage comes in streaks of purple, green, and gray, which looks best when dangling from a hanging basket or a plant shelf.
Being a fast grower, the stems of this Tradescantia cultivar need regular pruning, which will otherwise turn leggy and visually unpleasing.
Propagating Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant
The best way to propagate Tradescantia Bubble Gum plant is via stem cuttings. Use a clean, sterilized pruner to cut a healthy stem from above the leaf node. Ensure there are not more than two leaves in the cutting. Plant the cuttings in a well-draining, moist growing medium and place it under indirect sunlight. New roots will develop within a few weeks. You can then transfer them to their permanent spots.
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Requirements for Growing Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant
Water
As mentioned before, this species doesn’t ask for a lot of attention and is drought-tolerant. It requires water according to the weather—more during summers and less during winters. Remember to keep the soil moist during summers and dry but well-watered during winters for best results. Do not wet the foliage, water only in the base.
Sunlight
The Tradescantia Bubble Gum plant grows best in plenty of indirect sunlight. Be careful not to place them in direct sunlight – the leaves will be scorched, fade, turn brown, or die. However, if the leaves are losing their pigment, it is a sign that they are not getting enough light.
Placing the Bubble Gum plant on the Northeastern corners of the room will be the best bet, so the gorgeous foliage can exhibit its best colors.
Temperature & Humidity
Even though it is adaptable to almost all climates, the Tradescantia grows best in moderate temperatures, where it flourishes rapidly. On the other hand, it grows comparatively slowly during the winter months. The plant will die if exposed to frost, and the leaves get damaged if kept in constant cold temperatures. The recommended temperature is 60-80 °F.
The species needs a medium level of humidity. Misting helps if the leaves turn brown or crispy, even after sufficient watering.
Soil
Tradescantia grows best in well-drained soil. A combination of potting soil and sand will result in a well-drained mixture. The perfect blend would be 50% perlite and 50% sandy loamy soil to ensure good aeration and healthy plant growth.
Tradescantia Bubble Gum Plant Care
Fertilizer
The Tradescantia Bubble Gum plant is not a heavy feeder, hence doesn’t need regular fertilization. Feeding the plant monthly with a liquid fertilizer, diluted to half its strength, will boost its growth. Alternatively, you can also side-dress the plant with a slow-release fertilizer once a week during the growing months.
Pests and Diseases
Being a houseplant, fungal issues due to overwatering can be a problem. Ensure enough aeration to help it grow. Also, look out for mealy bugs, aphids, spider mites, scales, and thrips. Spray the houseplant with an organic neem oil solution once a month to bar such issues.
Cut away the affected stems on spotting any pest infestation.
Pruning
Pruning a Tradescantia Bubble Gum depends on the appearance you want it to exhibit. If you want the plant to take a bushy appearance, prune the stems to your desired length. You may also keep from clipping them if you want them to dangle down from hanging baskets. The stems will tend to take a leggy appearance if not pruned regularly.
