---
title: "I ordered this tradescantia zebrina online about a month and a half…"
description: "I ordered this tradescantia zebrina online about a month and a half ago, and it arrived completely mangled and mostly dead, except for a couple of stems. I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/649240cbef00597789b68556?language=nl"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Jacqui B"
published: "2023-06-21T00:14:03.066Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8yqLIrezI6b6eiTgo5HYtHtg8cmHm-vECgX5-tBCrdI/4b9984847b40435aa43343b3bea2eeb7.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md?language=nl) / [Pests, diseases and problems](https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ.md?language=nl)

# I ordered this tradescantia zebrina online about a month and a half…

_Geplaatst door Jacqui B op 2023-06-21_

I ordered this tradescantia zebrina online about a month and a half ago, and it arrived completely mangled and mostly dead, except for a couple of stems. I ended up trimming off all the dead bits and figured I would try and revive the surviving bits. It has grown some leaves from the remaining stems but I’ve noticed lately that when I water it, there’s a horrible smell coming from the soil. Do you think the roots from all the bits I trimmed off are rotting? If so, what should I do to save the remaining parts of the plant?

![Bijlage 1 van 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/8yqLIrezI6b6eiTgo5HYtHtg8cmHm-vECgX5-tBCrdI/4b9984847b40435aa43343b3bea2eeb7.webp?size=large)

## 7 reacties

### Emma✨ reageerde op 2023-06-21

Ok so I have this plant and what I would personally do is cut some of the good parts of the plant and stick it in some water until it grows roots, then you can plant it. Probably in a smaller pot

#### Lib728 antwoordde op 2023-06-21

I have had to just “start over” on plants where I just cut off the gross stuff and treat it like a new plant.

### Penny L reageerde op 2023-06-21

Can you try to remove the healthy parts from the soil without damaging the roots? Then rinse the roots gently with clean water and repot in fresh soil?

#### Jacqui B antwoordde op 2023-06-27

This is what I ended up doing, cutting off the healthy bits and repotting them into a smaller pot. Hopefully they live/grow into a nice healthy plant. The smell of the soil in that big pot was too horrible, I couldn’t take it anymore lol

### Lisette reageerde op 2023-06-21

Also agree it needs a smaller pot!

### MamaJuju reageerde op 2023-06-21

The best luck I’ve had with \*starting\* Tradescantia species: put it in a well-draining, hanging planter in and east or west window. They need quite a bit of sun and are really sensitive to overwatering. It’s almost better to underwater this species. Once a week, stick it in your sink let the water run through—leave in there until it doesn’t come through the bottom anymore. Also! You only need the first inch of the root side in the soil and I recommend letting the rest of the tendrils cascade off the side to keep them away from the soil and towards the sun. Prone to rot if laid on top.

#### Dee antwoordde op 2023-06-21

For reference :)

![Bijlage 1 van 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/T10bPAQTOyKxaJtFF-R8XKOXRaLhAkh2J6PMZH8srho/75b9d294e3314ba7bb5214817b456b17.webp?size=large)

---

_De Planta-community (https://getplanta.com). Iedereen kan meelezen. Om te posten, reageren en liken, download de Planta-app: https://getplanta.com/download_