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Tradescantia Zebrina indoor care #857778

Asked January 24, 2024, 5:23 PM EST

Hi, I wonder if you can provide some guidance on proper indoor potted care for inchplants. I currently have a plant that is potted, facing a south low light wall, and currently getting 3 hours of artificial light a day. It hasn't grown, and in fact has lost some leaves, and I'm wondering what I could be doing to properly take care of it during winter months. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Hi Belen,

I am no expert on house plants but, I have found two reasons why house plants most commonly fail. The first is not enough light. I think your plant needs to either be more to a more sunny spot or increase the hours it's under the plant light.  We have had so much cloudy weather I think house plants are struggling ( I know mine are).

The second problem is over watering leading to root rot. This will cause your plants to gradually become limp , turn  yellow and drop leaves.

https://extension.umd.edu/resource/overwatered-indoor-plants/

https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/lighting-indoor-plants

Finally, you may want to repot this plant.  They often need to be refreshed. This way you can see if the soil is too wet at the base, check for rotting roots and maybe trim them a little. The plants like a tropical environment so a humidifier might help .

I hope this helps,

Sally Granath

St. Louis County MG

An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 28, 2024, 7:50 AM EST
Hi,

Thank you for the response.

Belén Rodríguez
   

On Sun, Jan 28, 2024, 6:50 AM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied January 30, 2024, 7:20 AM EST

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