Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’ is a popular houseplant known for its striking foliage, featuring a vibrant mix of green, pink, and purple hues. This plant is a close relative of the ‘Nanouk’ variety but distinguishes itself with smaller, narrower leaves and more slender stems. Its trailing or vining growth habit makes it an appealing choice for hanging baskets or as a colorful accent on shelves, adding visual charm.
Caring for Tradescantia Sweetness
Light
Bright, indirect light maintains its vibrant coloration; insufficient light causes colors to fade and leggy growth. While it can tolerate some direct sun, prolonged exposure, especially to harsh afternoon sun, may scorch its delicate leaves.
Watering
Proper watering involves allowing the top 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) of soil to dry between waterings. The plant prefers consistently moist soil but is sensitive to overwatering, leading to root rot. It is better to underwater slightly than to overwater. During the growing season (spring and summer), water more frequently, and reduce watering in the cooler winter months.
Soil
A well-draining, aerated soil mix is suitable. A good quality indoor potting soil can be amended with components like perlite, pumice, or orchid bark to improve drainage and aeration. This mix prevents waterlogging, important for root health.
Temperature and Humidity
Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’ prefers stable room temperatures, ideally ranging from 65°F to 80°F (18°C to 27°C). It can tolerate temperatures as low as 50°F (10°C) but needs protection from cold drafts. It appreciates moderate to high humidity, ideally between 60-80%. Misting or using a humidifier helps maintain humidity, especially in drier indoor environments.
Fertilizing
During the active growing season, from spring to summer, Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’ benefits from regular fertilization. Apply a general houseplant fertilizer monthly, or a diluted solution every two weeks. Reduce or stop fertilization during the winter months when growth slows. Over-fertilization can lead to yellowing leaves.
Propagating Tradescantia Sweetness
Propagating Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’ is straightforward, typically done through stem cuttings. Select healthy stems and make a clean cut just below a leaf node, where roots develop. Each cutting should have several leaves; remove any near the base that would be submerged to prevent rot.
Cuttings can be rooted in water or directly in soil. For water propagation, place cuttings in a glass of water, ensuring the node is submerged. Roots appear within a few weeks. Once roots are 1-2 inches long, transplant cuttings into a well-draining potting mix. For direct soil propagation, insert the cutting with at least one node buried, then water thoroughly.
Pruning and Maintaining Tradescantia Sweetness
Regular pruning maintains a full, bushy appearance, preventing leggy and sparse growth. Pruning encourages new growth and branching, leading to a denser plant. Prune during the active growing season in spring and summer.
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to cut stems just above a leaf node. Removing longer, straggly stems redirects energy to produce new foliage closer to the base. Avoid removing more than one-quarter of the foliage at one time to prevent shocking the plant. Trimmed cuttings can be used for propagation to increase plant fullness.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
A common issue is the loss of vibrant pink and purple variegation, resulting in more green leaves. This occurs when the plant is not receiving enough bright, indirect light, as the green parts can photosynthesize more efficiently and outcompete the variegated sections. Increasing light exposure restores color; regularly trimming purely green stems encourages variegated growth.
Yellowing leaves can indicate either overwatering or underwatering. If soil remains consistently wet, root rot can occur, leading to yellowing. Conversely, if the plant dries out too often, leaves may also turn yellow. Adjusting the watering schedule to allow the top few inches of soil to dry before rewatering resolves this.
Brown leaf tips are often a sign of low humidity. While Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’ adapts to average indoor humidity, dry air can cause leaf edges to crisp. Increasing humidity through misting or using a pebble tray can alleviate this problem. Leggy growth, with long, stretched stems and sparse leaves, results from insufficient light as the plant reaches for more light. Moving the plant to a brighter location and regular pruning promotes bushier growth.