How to Grow Inchplant

Wikimedia Commons

Inchplant

Tradescantia cerinthoides

vine

Tradescantia cerinthoides is a trailing houseplant with slender stems and small, lance-shaped leaves that often display variegated patterns of green, silver, and purple. It's a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant ideal for hanging baskets and cascading displays. This tender perennial thrives indoors and in warm climates as a groundcover.

When should you plant Inchplant in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Inchplant timeline →

Example Inchplant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Inchplant
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Inchplant
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Inchplant dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Bright, indirect light; 6+ hours daily. Tolerates lower light but variegation is best in bright conditions

💧

Water: Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Reduce watering in winter. Sensitive to hard water and chlorine.

📏

Spacing: 6-12 inches

📅

Days to maturity: N/A (ornamental foliage plant; reaches mature trailing form in 6-12 months)

🌱

Planting depth: Plant at same depth as nursery pot; stem cuttings root easily in water or soil

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting mix, peat-based or loamy

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Perlite for drainage Coco coir for moisture retention Compost for organic matter

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 10-11; grows as a tender houseplant elsewhere

10b 11a 11b

Get my Inchplant timeline →

Growth Stages

Propagation

1-3 weeks

Stem cuttings develop roots in water or moist soil

Take 3-4 inch cuttings below a node. Root in water or soil within 1-2 weeks. Keep humid and warm (65-75°F).

Establishment

2-4 weeks

Rooted cuttings develop first true leaves and root system

Pot rooted cuttings in soil. Water regularly but avoid waterlogging. Indirect light helps reduce transplant shock.

Vegetative Growth

Ongoing; 4-8 weeks to full trailing form

Plant produces multiple stems with leaves; trailing habit develops

Pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness. Provide bright, indirect light. Feed monthly with dilute balanced fertilizer during growing season.

Mature Trailing

Continuous as houseplant

Plant develops long cascading stems; variegation patterns become prominent

Maintain regular watering and feeding schedule. Prune to control size and encourage fullness. Watch for pests in dense foliage.

Flowering

Intermittent; brief blooming periods

Small, delicate three-petaled flowers appear, usually white or pale pink

Flowers are subtle and appear sporadically indoors. Not grown primarily for blooms. Maintain consistent care conditions.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Pothos Philodendron String of pearls Spider plant Peperomia

Avoid planting near:

Direct sources of cold drafts Heat vents and radiators

Common Pests

Mist foliage regularly to increase humidity. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if infestation occurs.
Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Use neem oil or insecticidal soap for severe infestations.
Scrape off manually with fingernail. Treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
Reduce watering frequency. Repot in fresh, well-draining soil. Remove affected roots. Improve air circulation.

Uses

🏠

Indoor air purification

Household

Tradescantia species are recognized by NASA studies as effective air-purifying plants that remove formaldehyde and other volatile organic compounds from indoor air. [source]

🎨

Hanging basket and living wall décor

Craft

The cascading habit and variegated foliage make it ideal for hanging planters, macramé displays, and interior living wall installations. [source]

🏠

Easy propagation and sharing

Household

The plant roots so readily from cuttings that it's perfect for propagating new plants to share with friends or to fill multiple containers. [source]

🦋

Low-toxicity pet-safe plant

Wildlife

Tradescantia cerinthoides is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it a safe choice for households with curious pets. [source]

💊

Traditional herbal remedy

Medicinal

In traditional medicine systems, Tradescantia species have been used as poultices or infusions to address minor skin irritations and wounds, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Not a harvest crop. Prune stems anytime to maintain shape and encourage branching. Cuttings can be propagated year-round, though spring and summer rooting is fastest. Trim yellowed or damaged leaves as they appear.

Fun Facts

🌱 Tradescantia cerinthoides is sometimes called 'Inch Plant' because it grows so rapidly that it seems to grow an inch per week under ideal conditions.
🌱 The variegated cultivars of Tradescantia are prized by plant collectors and have become rare heirloom varieties passed down through plant enthusiast communities.
🌱 All Tradescantia species are named after John Tradescant the Younger, a 17th-century English botanist and gardener who served as curator of the Oxford Botanic Garden.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Perennial Transplant True Leaves

Shop Inchplant plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Inchplant planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Inchplant seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Inchplant timeline →