Plants

Inch plant care: light, water & problems

Scientific name: Tradescantia zebrina · Common name: Inch plant

Trailing plant with pointed, oval leaves marked with striking silver, purple and green longitudinal stripes.

Editorial revision: 2026-10-08

Care at a glance

Light: It needs very bright, indirect light to maintain its intense foliage coloration.
Watering: Let the top third of the mix dry out. Water moderately; waterlogging rots the soft stems.

Trailing plant with pointed, oval leaves marked with striking silver, purple and green longitudinal stripes.

It needs very bright, indirect light to maintain its intense foliage coloration.

Let the top third of the mix dry out. Water moderately; waterlogging rots the soft stems.

Conditions vary with pot, season and location. Always check the mix and your plant's response.

It adapts well indoors. Its stems are brittle and easily broken if brushed against.

Use a draining mix that retains some moisture, matched to pot size and the drying rate in your home.

During active growth, follow a suitable feed label. First check light, water and roots if the plant is declining.

Loss of colour or completely green leaves indicate insufficient light.

ASPCA lists this species as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it; contact a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.

Older growth naturally drops leaves. To keep it bushy, take cuttings from healthy tips and plant them back in the pot.