Which Tradescantia Is That? 14 Varieties From Everyday Zebrina to Collector’s Nanouk — Identified by Leaf and Flower
That “inch plant” could be one of five different species — 14 Tradescantia varieties identified by leaf and flower, with rarity tiers, USDA zones, and a choosing guide.
When you break a Tradescantia stem, the sap stretches into fine elastic threads — silky enough that early observers compared them to spiderwebs and gave the whole genus its common name [1]. Today the family spans 86 accepted species, from trailing houseplants sold under a dozen different labels to native wildflowers that survive USDA zone 4 winters without protection.
The confusion starts at the garden center. “Wandering dude,” “inch plant,” and “spiderwort” float across five or more completely different species, each with its own light requirements, toxicity profile, and hardiness zone. This guide identifies 14 species and cultivars by leaf pattern, texture, growth habit, and flower color — organized by how easy they are to find, from garden center staples to genuine collector’s pieces. For full care details, see the complete Tradescantia growing guide.
How to Tell Tradescantia Apart: 4 Quick Markers
Four features narrow down any Tradescantia before you check a label.
Leaf pattern is the fastest shortcut. T. zebrina has two clear silver bands running the length of each leaf. T. pallida is uniformly purple — tops, undersides, and stems. T. spathacea is deep green above and vivid purple below. Nanouk displays pink, cream, and green stripes running lengthwise. A plain green leaf with a faint purple underside usually indicates T. fluminensis or one of its cultivars.
Leaf texture separates the velvety species from the smooth ones. T. sillamontana is coated in dense white hairs — hence “cobweb spiderwort.” T. chrysophylla’s entire surface feels like velvet. T. cerinthoides has noticeably thick, fleshy stems. Most other species are smooth and slightly waxy.
Growth habit divides the genus into trailers and rosettes. Trailing types — zebrina, pallida, fluminensis, cerinthoides — produce cascading stems that root wherever they touch moist soil. T. spathacea is the exception: it forms a stiff upright rosette from a central point, more like a small agave than a hanging plant.
Flower color clinches the ID for garden perennials. The outdoor spiderworts — T. ohiensis, T. virginiana, and Andersoniana Group — produce 3-petaled flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white with bright yellow stamens. Indoor types bloom more quietly: rosy-purple clusters on zebrina, tiny white flowers on fluminensis, boat-shaped purple bracts on spathacea.
The “spiderwort” name traces directly to the sap, which forms elastic silk-like threads when a stem is snapped. According to NC State Extension, the genus was named after John Tradescant, plant collector for King Charles I [1].
5 Common Varieties — Found at Any Garden Center
1. Tradescantia zebrina — Silver Inch Plant
The most recognizable Tradescantia. Leaves are bronze-green with two bold silvery longitudinal bands from base to tip, and the undersides are rich purple [9] — misidentification is nearly impossible once you see the silver bands. Stems trail to 18–24 inches in a growing season with warm temperatures and bright indirect light. The RHS classifies zebrina as a skin allergen, so wear gloves when pruning extensively. Rosy-purple flowers appear sporadically year-round.
One pattern to watch: when light drops, plain green shoots emerge and outcompete the variegated ones, since green tissue produces more chlorophyll per square inch. Pinch plain green stems as soon as they appear. The guide at how to make Tradescantia bushy covers this in detail.
2. Tradescantia pallida — Purple Heart
Everything is purple — leaf tops, undersides, and stems — with an intensity no other Tradescantia matches. Leaves are lance-shaped and slightly hairy, running 3–6 inches long with a leathery texture [2]. Hardy outdoors in USDA zones 10–11 only; elsewhere treat as a houseplant or warm-season annual. Pink-purple flowers appear midsummer, though most growers cultivate it purely for the foliage. Color depth fades noticeably in low light, so give it the brightest spot available to maintain the richest hue.
3. Tradescantia fluminensis — Small-Leaf Spiderwort
A fine-textured trailer with small (2-inch) green leaves and slightly purple undersides — the most subtle-looking species in this guide [3]. White 3-petaled flowers last exactly one day. Important for US growers: T. fluminensis is listed as invasive in the southeastern United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Grow it strictly as a houseplant in warm climates and never introduce it near natural areas. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with dermatitis as the primary clinical sign [11].
4. Tradescantia spathacea — Moses-in-the-Cradle
Unlike every other variety here, spathacea doesn’t trail — it forms a stiff upright rosette of sword-like leaves up to 12 inches long, deep green above and vivid purple below [7]. White flowers emerge from boat-shaped purple bracts (the “cradle” in the common name). Hardy in USDA zones 9a–11b outdoors. Thick leaves store water well, making it more forgiving of missed watering than the trailing types. The cultivar ‘Tricolor’ adds pale yellow stripes to the green upper surface; ‘Vittata’ is the rare striped version covered in the collector’s section below.
5. Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ — Fantasy Venice
Nanouk was bred in the Netherlands and first patented in 2012. Its leaves are striped lengthwise in green, pink, and cream, with a densely hairy purple underside — a combination unique in the genus [10]. The pink and cream portions contain significantly less chlorophyll than pure green leaf tissue, which creates the variegation. In low light, the plant compensates by generating more chlorophyll-bearing green cells, causing pink to fade and leaves to revert toward solid green — a natural defense mechanism, not a disease.
Four or more hours of bright indirect light per day maintains the color. Remove all-green shoots immediately when they appear: they produce more energy than variegated ones and will gradually take over, as the RHS notes. For a detailed side-by-side comparison of Zebrina and Nanouk, see Tradescantia Zebrina vs. Nanouk.
5 Uncommon Varieties — Worth Seeking at Specialty Nurseries
6. Tradescantia sillamontana — White Velvet / Cobweb Spiderwort
The entire plant — leaves, stems, and undersides — is covered in dense white hairs that give it a felted, cobweb-like appearance unlike any other houseplant [6]. Beneath the silver fuzz the leaves are olive-green, sometimes tinted purple at the margins. The hair layer reduces water loss, an adaptation to dry Mexican habitats, making White Velvet far more drought-tolerant than other Tradescantia. Hardy in USDA zones 10–12 only; treat as an annual or bring indoors in colder regions. It prefers to dry out between waterings — terracotta pots suit it better than glazed ceramic.
7. Tradescantia chrysophylla — Baby Bunny Bellies
The common name earns its place: both surfaces of each leaf are covered in velvety hairs, with dark greyish-green on top and dark purplish-red on the underside — the contrast is stronger in person than in photographs [13]. Individual leaves run 4–5 cm long. Unlike T. sillamontana, this species doesn’t tolerate drought and prefers conditions similar to zebrina: consistently moist but well-draining soil with bright indirect light. Mass-produced and available online, though less commonly found in physical stores than the common five.
8. Tradescantia cerinthoides — Flowering Inch Plant
Noticeably thicker and fleshier stems than most Tradescantia, with an initially upright habit that arches as stems lengthen. The defining characteristic is the flowers: larger and showier than the modest blooms on fluminensis or zebrina, with pink petals and a white center [12]. This is the parent species behind several popular commercial cultivars. Its vigorous growth makes it one of the easiest Tradescantia to propagate — a stem tip roots in water within a week. See the Tradescantia propagation guide for step-by-step instructions.
9. Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Tricolor’
Where plain T. fluminensis reads as quiet green, ‘Tricolor’ mixes green, cream, and pink-purple in patterns that vary from leaf to leaf — no two look quite the same [3]. Shares fluminensis’s trailing habit, rapid growth, and single-day white flowers. The same invasive caution applies: keep it strictly indoors in warm climates. Bright indirect light maintains the pink component; low light pushes it toward plain green.
10. Tradescantia × andersoniana — Andersoniana Group Spiderworts
These are the outdoor garden perennial spiderworts most commonly sold as “spiderwort” at US garden centers — hardy herbaceous plants that die back to the ground each winter and return reliably each spring. They are complex hybrids descended from T. virginiana, T. ohiensis, and T. subaspera [8], surviving USDA zones 4a–9b — the hardiest Tradescantia widely available. Strap-like leaves reach 12–18 inches. Flowers are 3-petaled, approximately 1 inch across, in pink, purple/lavender, or white. ‘Sweet Kate’ pairs golden-yellow foliage with blue-purple blooms; ‘Snow Cap’ produces white flowers on 18–24-inch plants; ‘Osprey’ reaches 18–36 inches in pale blue.
4 Rare Finds — For Collectors and Enthusiasts
Chain Plant earns collector status through a growth pattern no other Tradescantia shares: two distinct stem types develop on the same plant simultaneously [12]. Short, upright shoots carry tightly overlapping boat-shaped leaves; long horizontal stolons with more open leaves sprawl outward and give rise to bright pink flowers. Leaves are bronze-green with purple-streaked undersides. The name navicularis is Latin for “boat-shaped,” a direct reference to the leaf form. Rarely stocked in garden centers — it circulates through specialist Tradescantia communities and online plant shops focused on rare houseplants.
12. Tradescantia ohiensis — Ohio Spiderwort / Bluejacket
Native to 38 US states from Ontario to Texas, Ohio Spiderwort is the most widespread native spiderwort in North America [4] — yet almost never sold as a garden plant at conventional nurseries. Long, strap-like blue-green leaves (8–15 inches) have a characteristic lengthwise groove. Flowers range from blue to purple, occasionally pink or white, with bright yellow anthers and fine violet hairs near the base. Hardy in zones 4a–9b; self-seeds readily.
One practical advantage over every other species in this guide: NC State Extension lists T. ohiensis as non-toxic to pets [4], making it the safe choice for outdoor gardens where cats or dogs roam freely.
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→ Build Watering Schedule13. Tradescantia virginiana — Virginia Spiderwort
Similar to Ohio Spiderwort in hardiness (zones 4a–9b) and height (18–36 inches), but native to a narrower range in eastern North America [5]. The key visual difference: T. virginiana leaves are completely hairless, while related species often show fine hairs under magnification. Flower color is variable — blue, purple, pink, or white — with 6 yellow stamens per bloom. An unusual feature: the leaves are edible raw in salads, and teas can be brewed from the plant [5]. Valuable for native plant gardens and pollinator borders — it attracts bees, bumblebees, and butterflies — but rarely found at conventional nurseries.
14. Tradescantia spathacea ‘Vittata’ — Variegated Oyster Plant
A cultivar of Moses-in-the-Cradle with pale yellow or cream stripes running lengthwise across the dark green upper surface, contrasting against the standard vivid purple underside [7]. It shares spathacea’s stiff upright rosette habit, boat-shaped purple bracts, and USDA zones 9a–11b. What makes it remarkable: Tradescantia Hub identifies ‘Vittata’ as the oldest known variegated Tradescantia cultivar in the world [12], predating the modern houseplant variegation trend by generations. Rarely seen outside specialist collections and enthusiast trade.
All 14 Varieties at a Glance
| Common Name | Species | Key Leaf Feature | USDA Zones | Best For | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Inch Plant | T. zebrina | Two silver bands; purple underside | 10–11 (indoor elsewhere) | Trailing; beginners | Common |
| Purple Heart | T. pallida | All-purple tops, undersides, stems | 10–11 | Bold color statement | Common |
| Small-Leaf Spiderwort | T. fluminensis | Small green leaves; faint purple underside | 9a–12b | Fine-textured trailing | Common |
| Moses-in-the-Cradle | T. spathacea | Green top; vivid purple underside; upright rosette | 9a–11b | Desk; bold contrast | Common |
| Nanouk | T. albiflora ‘Nanouk’ | Pink, cream, green lengthwise stripes; hairy purple underside | 10–11 | Statement piece; bright spots | Common |
| White Velvet | T. sillamontana | Dense white cobweb hairs all over | 10–12 | Drought-tolerant; unusual texture | Uncommon |
| Baby Bunny Bellies | T. chrysophylla | Velvety hairs; green top; purplish-red underside | 10–11 | Touch interest; trailing | Uncommon |
| Flowering Inch Plant | T. cerinthoides | Thick fleshy stems; showy pink flowers | 10–11 | Flowers; vigorous growth | Uncommon |
| Tricolor | T. fluminensis ‘Tricolor’ | Variable green, cream, pink-purple | 9a–12b | Colorful trailing | Uncommon |
| Andersoniana Group | T. × andersoniana | Strap leaves 12–18″; 3-petaled flowers | 4a–9b | Outdoor perennial borders | Uncommon |
| Chain Plant | T. navicularis | Boat-shaped overlapping leaves; two stem types | 10–12 | Collector’s piece | Rare |
| Ohio Spiderwort | T. ohiensis | Blue-green strap leaves; lengthwise groove; non-toxic | 4a–9b | Native garden; pet-safe outdoor | Rare |
| Virginia Spiderwort | T. virginiana | Hairless linear leaves; edible | 4a–9b | Native garden; pollinators | Rare |
| Variegated Oyster Plant | T. spathacea ‘Vittata’ | Green with cream/yellow lengthwise stripes; upright rosette | 9a–11b | Historic cultivar; collector | Rare |
Which Tradescantia Should You Grow?
For hanging baskets: T. zebrina grows fastest and tolerates the widest range of conditions. Nanouk delivers the most striking color. T. chrysophylla (Baby Bunny Bellies) adds velvety texture unusual in any hanging plant collection.
For bold single-color drama: T. pallida. Nothing else in the genus produces that same uniform depth of purple across every surface, and it holds its color better in sunny windows than most houseplants.
For drought-tolerant growers: T. sillamontana handles irregular watering better than any other species here, followed by T. navicularis. Both adapt to terracotta pots and fast-draining mixes.
For outdoor US gardens in zones 4–9: T. × andersoniana (Andersoniana Group) is the most reliable choice — widely available, long-blooming, and fully winter-hardy. T. ohiensis and T. virginiana are better picks for native plant or wildlife gardens where pollinator value matters.
For beginners: T. zebrina. It shows new growth fastest when you correct a care mistake, bounces back from irregular watering more readily than Nanouk, and its silver bands are a reliable color indicator — they stay vivid when conditions are right. For full care details, see the Tradescantia growing guide.
For the most impressive collector’s piece: T. navicularis for its unique double-stem growth habit, or T. spathacea ‘Vittata’ for the historical distinction of being the oldest variegated Tradescantia cultivar known to exist.
Are Tradescantia Safe for Pets?
Most Tradescantia cause dermatitis and mild digestive irritation — not severe poisoning — but pet owners should keep them out of reach.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control confirms T. fluminensis (inch plant) is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with dermatitis as the primary clinical sign [11]. NC State Extension notes that all Tradescantia produce sap capable of causing skin irritation and mild mouth and stomach irritation on ingestion for humans and pets [1]. T. spathacea carries a somewhat higher risk than the trailing types — ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and throat irritation [7].
The one exception in this guide: T. ohiensis is listed as non-toxic to pets by NC State Extension [4]. If you want Tradescantia in a garden where pets roam freely, Ohio Spiderwort is the safe choice.
If your pet ingests any Tradescantia, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Tradescantia zebrina and Nanouk?
T. zebrina has bronze-green leaves with two unmistakable silver bands and vivid purple undersides — the silver bands make misidentification nearly impossible. Nanouk (T. albiflora ‘Nanouk’) has pink, cream, and green lengthwise stripes with a hairy purple underside and a more compact growth habit. Zebrina tolerates lower light without losing its markings; Nanouk needs four or more hours of bright indirect light to keep its pink coloring. For a detailed comparison, see Tradescantia Zebrina vs. Nanouk.
Why is my Nanouk turning green?
The pink and cream areas of Nanouk’s leaves contain less chlorophyll than the green stripes. In low light, the plant compensates by converting leaf tissue toward green to generate enough energy — a natural response, not a disease. Move it closer to a bright window (four or more hours of bright indirect light daily) and remove any all-green shoots immediately. Color recovery typically takes 4–6 weeks under improved light.
Are all Tradescantia toxic to cats?
Most species cause dermatitis and mild irritation if ingested — low severity, but not zero risk. The ASPCA specifically lists T. fluminensis as toxic to cats, dogs, and horses [11]. T. ohiensis is the exception in this guide: NC State Extension lists it as non-toxic to pets [4]. If you have cats, keep all Tradescantia out of reach and consider this troubleshooting guide for signs something is wrong with your plant.
Can Tradescantia grow outdoors in the US?
Yes, depending on species. T. × andersoniana (Andersoniana Group) and the native spiderworts T. ohiensis and T. virginiana survive winters in USDA zones 4a–9b with no special protection. T. pallida and T. fluminensis are hardy outdoors only in zones 10–11. Keep T. fluminensis out of outdoor beds in warm climates — it is listed as invasive in the southeastern United States [3].
Sources
- Tradescantia (Dayflower, Inch Plant, Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia fluminensis (Small-Leaf Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia sillamontana (Cobweb Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia spathacea (Moses-in-the-Cradle) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia x andersoniana (Spiderwort) — NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- Tradescantia zebrina (Silver Inch Plant) — Royal Horticultural Society
- Tradescantia albiflora (Small-leaf Spiderwort) — Royal Horticultural Society
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Inch Plant — ASPCA Animal Poison Control
- Tradescantia Species — Tradescantia Hub
- Baby Bunny Bellies Cultivar Profile — Tradescantia Hub
