Inchplant (Tradescantia zebrina)

How much light does an Inchplant need?

Give inchplant a spot with medium indoor light, since indoor measurements place its requirement between about 100 and 150 footcandles. Outdoors, this plant performs best with full sun, meaning six hours or more of direct sunlight every day. It also tolerates part shade and does best in filtered sunlight. Full sun is therefore the preferred outdoor condition, with part shade and filtered light as tolerated alternatives. Indoors, no other light level is listed as tolerated for this plant beyond medium light.

• Light: Medium light¹

How often to water an Inchplant

This plant's moisture needs fall between dry and medium, so let the top layer of soil dry out before you water again. Water it regularly through the warmer months, then cut back on watering once winter arrives. Soil that stays soggy for long periods can lead to root rot and stem rot. This means checking how dry the soil feels rather than watering on a fixed schedule.

• Water: Dry to medium²

Temperature and humidity

Nighttime temperatures should stay at or above 55.4°F (13°C), since that is the coldest reading reported for this plant indoors. Outdoors, it is hardy in USDA zones 9a through 11b, and gardeners use it as a groundcover across zones 9 to 11. Humidity levels are flexible for this plant, since it tolerates average home humidity as well as higher, more humid conditions. In the United States, it is recorded as introduced in Hawaii, the lower 48 states and Puerto Rico.

• Minimum temperature: 55.4 °F (13 °C)³
• Humidity: Average²

Pruning an Inchplant

This plant tolerates heavy pruning and has a rapid growth rate, and pinching back the stems promotes denser, fuller foliage. Removing leggy growth also gives you stem cuttings, which you can use afterward to propagate new plants from this species. Overall, this plant needs only low maintenance. Mature plants reach 0.5 to 0.8 ft (0.15-0.23 m) tall and spread 1 to 2 ft (0.3-0.61 m) wide.

• Pruning: Light shaping⁴

How to propagate an Inchplant

You can propagate inchplant from stem cuttings taken from the plant. Removing leggy growth from the plant provides material for these cuttings, which you can then use to propagate and start new plants. This plant has a trailing, creeping habit, and it can be used as a groundcover. It also grows at a rapid rate.

• Propagation: Stem cuttings²

Common problems

Watch this plant for aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and spider mites, since these pests can become a problem if left unchecked. Soggy soil can lead to root rot and stem rot. Leaf spot is also listed as a disease that can affect this plant. Together, these are the pests and diseases recorded for inchplant.

• Common pests: aphids, mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and spider mites²
• Common diseases: root rot, stem rot and leaf spot²

Questions and answers

Is inchplant toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes, inchplant is listed separately as toxic to cats and as toxic to dogs. Both listings mark the whole plant as a toxicity concern for each animal.

How much light does inchplant need indoors?

Indoors, inchplant needs medium light, which falls between roughly 100 and 150 footcandles on a light meter. Outdoors, it performs best in full sun but also tolerates part shade and filtered sunlight.

How should you water inchplant?

Water inchplant so its moisture stays between dry and medium, letting the soil surface dry out before you water again. Cut back on watering during the winter months, since the plant needs less moisture then.