---
title: "I have a plant called Tradescantia and it is not doing well at all!…"
description: "I have a plant called Tradescantia and it is not doing well at all! It has been struggling for a long time and the leaves look alive still but the vines break…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/EueBS6QgzNQsDV2kdfgLVU"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Treehugger"
published: "2025-09-12T22:30:26.085071Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QBGXLPEDGNeGXMTeAl6K3zyn_NxFMWlsVoKXgU1M9w8/v1oyYvcWSDyCvVF8rmNEdA.webp?size=large"
---

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# I have a plant called Tradescantia and it is not doing well at all!…

_Posted by Treehugger on 2025-09-12_

I have a plant called Tradescantia and it is not doing well at all! It has been struggling for a long time and the leaves look alive still but the vines break off very easily with no force. I haven’t repotted since I got it but should I repot it now? I don’t know what is wrong with it at all but if anyone knows what it could be I would love to hear it!

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/QBGXLPEDGNeGXMTeAl6K3zyn_NxFMWlsVoKXgU1M9w8/v1oyYvcWSDyCvVF8rmNEdA.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### barbara1321 commented on 2025-09-12

I had the same problem with mine. I decided to chop off the stems and place them in water. They grow roots very quickly and once the roots were about 3 inches long I placed the cuttings in soil

#### barbara1321 replied on 2025-09-12

This plant doesn't grow very deep or large roots so having it in a big pot can kill it

### Yup commented on 2025-09-12

Maby more light

### LadyTenorJD commented on 2025-09-12

They root rot very easily. The remnants of my first plant are in water and growing happily. I am probably going to leave them in water permanently and just upsize to larger vases as the root systems grow.

#### Bb replied on 2025-09-13

That’s exactly what I did too and the one growing in water is loving life and looks luscious 😁

### Treehugger commented on 2025-09-13

I tried to have them grow in water but it doesn’t seem to be very effective. Is there something I might be doing wrong with them?

#### Stephanie replied on 2025-09-16

I just cut them and put them back in the soil and they do fine. They love being outside in the summer and mine do very well. This one has been outside all summer and is blooming again. I don't do really good with them in my house but I have found they like bright light and have done really good in my greenhouse I keep in my laundryroom. Hope this helps and good luck

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/hi8Opg_kMjnbgPQssR93TpPbs7-T3H5T13eFpuMxzCw/AxKS2T7vRqqyRzTuTb4wcw.webp?size=large)

#### Bb replied on 2025-09-16

Perhaps not enough light and not changing the water regularly enough?

### Kimby commented on 2025-12-03

It is the regular tradescantia behavior. They grow long leggy stems and lose leaves at the base. I prune mine regularly and plant the cuttimgs directly in the same pot to keep it full. The cut stems will branch and grow new leaves and the repotted ones will continue to grow. I prune every other month. Sometimes when they get too long I just start a mew plant from the cuttings. On youtube you can find a lot of videos on this :-)

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