Tradescantia zebrina (zebra herb) - tips for care

Tradescantia zebrina (zebra herb) - tips for care

How do you water Tradescantia zebrina properly?

The leaf colors are particularly strong if you do not keep Tradescantia zebrina too moist. Water moderately during the main growing season so that the substrate is always slightly moist. Avoid waterlogging.

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After watering, wait until the soil on top has dried well. Only then is it time to water again.

In winter the plant needs even less water, especially when it is cooler during this time.

What should be considered when fertilizing?

Zebra herb is not very demanding. It is enough if you provide it with some liquid fertilizer every 14 days during the main growing season from April to September.

Do you need to cut zebra herb?

Cutting is not absolutely necessary. Tradescantia zebrina will branch better if you cut off the shoot tips regularly.

You can also cut cuttings in the spring to allow the plant to propagate.

When is it time to repot?

Since Tradescantia zebrina is fast-growing, it often needs a larger pot. Repot them in fresh substrate in spring. As a rule, several specimens are placed in a pot because the plant then looks more compact.

Which diseases and pests can occur?

Tradescantia zebrina loses its lower leaves over time. This is normal and not a sign of illness. If there is rot on the roots or shoots, you have kept the plant too moist.

Pests are very rare. Occasionally, aphid infestation can occur.

How do you care for Tradescantia zebrina in winter?

Zebra herb does not tolerate freezing temperatures. The location should never be colder than twelve degrees. You can care for the plant in the room all year round, then you just have to water more often. In winter you can also get a cooler place at 15 to 18 degrees.

Tips

Tradescantia zebrina needs a very bright location without direct sunlight. If the plant is too dark, the colors of the leaves will fade. In addition, it then develops very long, sickly drives.