ECHOES OF THE RAINFOREST
Inch plant, Tradescantia zebrina This tropical species makes a bold addition to a shelf or east-facing windowsill, with tumbling stems and striking pewter and green-striped leaves that are a vibrant magenta underneath. Also known as spiderwort, it grows wild in the rainforests of Central America, where it thrives in the humidity. The leaves contain an irritant sap, which is toxic, so it should be kept out of reach of children and pets, and care taken when handling. Trails and spreads to 20in (51cm).
Conditions: 10-24°C, in a bright spot, out of intense sun, with moderate to high humidity. This is the ideal plant for a steamy bathroom: elsewhere, it should be misted regularly to stop the leaves turning brown, or positioned on a saucer filled with small pebbles that is regularly topped up with water. As the water evaporates, it will create a humid environment around the plant.
Watering: Thrives in damp, but not waterlogged, soil. if the soil is too dry, the leaves will lose their colour, turn brown and go crispy. The frequency of watering should be reduced in winter so that the compost dries out a little.
Feeding: A weak balanced houseplant feed can be applied every 2-3 weeks during summer.
Propagation: Using clean secateurs, a piece of stem 3-4in (8-10cm) long is removed, just above a leaf. The lower leaves are stripped from the cutting and the stems placed around the edge of a 3½in (9cm) pot, filled with a seed/cuttings compost, watered, and the compost kept evenly moist over the coming weeks. It should take approximately 4 weeks for roots to develop, at which point they can be moved into separate pots.