Small leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis) is a popular houseplant known for its vigorous, trailing growth and attractive foliage. Its cascading habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging displays, adding a vibrant touch to indoor spaces. This article guides you on growing and maintaining this plant in a hanging setup.
Understanding Small Leaf Spiderwort
This plant features small, often oval-shaped leaves that can display a variety of colors, including green, purple, or variegated forms with patterns of green and white or silver. Its distinctive growth habit involves long, slender stems that trail gracefully, making it ideal for hanging displays. Originating from tropical regions, this spiderwort thrives in environments that mimic its natural habitat.
Optimal Care for Hanging Display
Bright, indirect light is ideal for small leaf spiderwort in a hanging display. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves and fade variegation. Place the plant near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet back from a south-facing window, provides adequate illumination. Insufficient light can result in leggy growth and less vibrant foliage.
Consistent moisture is important, but overwatering must be avoided to prevent root rot. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings, then rehydrate thoroughly until water drains from the bottom. Hanging plants often dry out more quickly due to increased air circulation around the pot, requiring more frequent checks of soil moisture. A well-draining, general-purpose potting mix provides the necessary aeration and moisture retention for healthy root development.
Average room temperatures (60-80°F / 15-27°C) are suitable for small leaf spiderwort. While it tolerates average household humidity, it appreciates higher humidity levels, especially in drier indoor environments. Light feeding during the active growing season, from spring through summer, with a balanced liquid fertilizer supports vigorous growth. Reduce fertilization during the cooler, darker months when growth naturally slows.
Pruning and Maintaining a Full Plant
Pruning is an important practice for maintaining a full and attractive small leaf spiderwort. Regular trimming encourages the plant to produce more side shoots, resulting in a bushier appearance rather than sparse, leggy stems. This also helps to maintain a desirable cascading shape, preventing the plant from becoming overly long and straggly. Without regular pruning, the lower leaves can thin out, diminishing the plant’s overall appeal.
To prune, pinch back the stem tips or make cuts just above a leaf node. This encourages new growth to emerge from the node, contributing to a denser canopy. During the active growing season, frequent light pruning is more beneficial than infrequent, heavy cuts. Removing any yellowing or damaged leaves also directs the plant’s energy towards healthy new growth. Consistent pruning ensures the small leaf spiderwort remains a lush and vibrant addition to any hanging display.
Propagation and Common Issues
Small leaf spiderwort is remarkably easy to propagate. Stem cuttings are the most common method; take a 4-6 inch section of stem, ensuring it has several leaves, and remove the lower leaves to expose a few nodes. These cuttings can be rooted readily in a glass of water, where roots appear within a few weeks, or directly inserted into moist potting mix. Once rooted, they can be potted up to create new plants.
Small leaf spiderwort can encounter a few common issues. Legginess, characterized by sparse foliage and long, bare stems, often indicates insufficient light or a lack of regular pruning. Brown or crispy leaves usually signal underwatering, excessively low humidity, or exposure to too much direct sunlight. Conversely, yellowing leaves can be a symptom of overwatering, which leads to root suffocation, or a nutrient deficiency. Inspecting the plant regularly for common houseplant pests, such as spider mites or mealybugs, allows for early detection and treatment.