Commonly called zebra plant, inch plant, silver inch plant or more recently, wandering dude, Tradescantia zebrina (formerly Zebrina pendula or Cyanotis vittana) is a popular houseplant in the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae) grown for its variegated foliage. The similar looking, but more robust, all green T. fluminensis (formerly T. albiflora) lacks the attractive striped purplish-green leaves of the zebra plant. For information on purple heart, T. pallida, refer to its web article.
This is an ideal houseplant for the wanna-be-green-thumbs, as it is very tough, easy-to-grow, and thrives in almost any conditions indoors. This tender perennial native to southern Mexico and Guatemala can be grown outdoors in mild climates (zones 9a to 11b) where it does not freeze, or as an annual with cold winters.
This creeping plant makes a good groundcover 6 to 12 inches high. It has succulent stems with ovate to lanceolate leaves clasping the stem. The upper leaf surface is green to purple with two wide, silvery-white stripes, while the lower leaf surface is a uniform deep magenta. By looking closely, the fine hairs along the leaf margins can be seen, and the leaf surfaces seem to sparkle in bright light. Color intensity of the leaves is greatest in full sun in the Midwest, but in warmer, more southern locations too much sun will cause the colors to wash out. In low light conditions, stems lose lower leaves and the leaves lose much of their coloring. The stems will branch or root at the nodes and ascend at the flowering tips. The stems break easily at the nodes. The watery, mucilaginous sap can cause skin irritation in susceptible individuals.
The inconspicuous boat-shaped flowers are white to lavender. Like other tradescantia flowers, they have 3 petals and prominent yellow anthers. Plants may bloom sporadically throughout the year, although they rarely appear on indoor plants.
Uses of Tradescantia
Tradescantia does best in light shade outdoors but bright light indoors. Plants can be moved outdoors after all danger of frost has passed, but need to be acclimated gradually to brighter light conditions outside to prevent sunburn. Provide regular water. Tradescantia does well when the soil is allowed to dry out between waterings. It tolerates heavy pruning, and pinching plants promotes denser foliage. Any leggy growth can be pruned off and used as cuttings for propagation.
T. zebrina makes a good trailing plant for seasonal containers or an underplanting with larger houseplants, such as a hibiscus standard, plumeria, or ficus tree. It can be used to fill in at the base of other tall tropicals such as cannas, banana, and elephant ears, either in containers or in the ground. Treat zebra plant like an annual and transplant rooted cuttings in the ground for the growing season once all danger of frost has passed. It is fast-growing, with trailing stems that can become straggly (especially in low light conditions). To keep plants tidy, cut them back as needed or renew containers by planting new tip cuttings in the container periodically.
Propagating Tradescantia zebrina
Many people acquire this plant from friends or plant sales as each segment is capable of rooting to produce a new plant. T. zebrina is very easy to started from cuttings which root readily in water or moist potting soil. Plants can also be layered, as roots form at the nodes when in contact with moist soil. Rooting hormone is not needed, as plants root readily.
Varieties of Tradescantia
A few cultivars are available. In different environmental conditions, varieties can have different coloration and even growth habits. This makes it difficult to tell cultivars apart without growing them side-by-side.
- ‘Burgundy’ has leaves with dark burgundy-purple and greyish stripes on its leaves.
- ‘Leprechaun’ is a newer variety developed from a cross of ‘Purple Plush’ and ‘Little Hill’ by Helen Winnington in Northern Ireland. It features leaves with greenish grey striped with red-brown bases and purple stripes. As leaves mature, the purple stripes fade.
- ‘Quadricolor’ features wide, cream, pink, purple, and green stripes on its leaves.
There are also varieties of T. fluminensis available. These include:
- ‘Albovittata’ has light green leaves with thin, white striped variegation and a vigorous growth habit.
- ‘Nanouk’ is a newer, patented (US PP 29711) variety bred in Europe. It has large leaves striped with green, white, and violet-pink and bright pink undersides.
- PISTACHIO™ White (variety ‘TPIWH01-0’) has a trailing habit and leaves with yellowish white, greenish white, and greyish green stripes. This patented variety (US PP 34,445) was discovered as a branch mutation by Amelia White in Charleston, South Carolina. It is similar to ‘Albovittata’, but plants are larger and its white varigation is brighter, but differences can be hard to see when these two varieties are not grown side-by-side.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: May 2026
