Hello all, I am in need of assistance with my tradescantia nanouk. I've had her for about 2 years now and she used to be in my kitchen as it's the only place that gets a lot of light but no way of getting her the right humidity that she needs. I have moved her into my room now she have a consistent humidity but less sun. The leaves brown and get flakey, she is very leggy and very sparse. Please help me save Lady! She was a birthday present from my mom and I love her dearly! 😭
My tradescantia zebrina is my oldest and most precious plant. It was the first plant I was ever able to keep alive, so I feel your fear! In my experience, tradescantia just do this as they age. Mine goes through phases, and right now I’m trying to bring it out of a leggy/dry phase. My advice is to not make changes to its location if it’s been happy where it was for two years. Are you having to water it quite often? When is the last time you repotted it? Tradescantia like to be pruned, and the best way to keep it looking full is to chop and prop the healthy ends back in the same pot. But if it’s outgrowing its pot and becoming root bound, that can cause it to dry out too fast, and its growth will be stunted.
2 likesThe first location was a not thriving but surviving kind of situation. I do not believe it needs to be repoted, even if it did I would be nervous to giving its condition. I'm planning on getting a grow light to help with the light issue. How long are the dry phases?
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I do not have this plant but I have Purple Hearts which I think are similar. They also look like yours if I don’t prune them. It’s scary at first but it will help your plant look fuller and bushier. I agree with checking if it needs repotted, if it’s not out of space maybe it needs fresh soil. When was the last time you fertilized? A grow light is a good idea!
1 like You can put your cutting when you prune it right into soil or into water to grow roots( again not the same plant but I assume they are very similar) yours will no look better without some pruning, the long leggy stems will not grow new leaves. If I were you I’d prune back any stem that doesn’t look good.
Check the roots for dry rot, overwatering, and a root bound condition. The grow light you plan to add will help. It may be a lighting issue if the roots are in good shape. I agree with the comments that trimming these balding vines will help with its growth. The plant’s energy can focus on growing new leaves rather than maintaining the current vines. 🪴🍀
0 likesIs there a limit to how much I can trim without stressing out the plant? I heard somewhere that it could stress out the plant it you take off too much
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It definitely needs more light & in my opinion I would recommend propagating a lot of the leafless limbs and even taking the main plant and repotting with fresh airy (I like to use tropical) soil then wrap & stake the limbs down into the soil so they may grow roots in the nodes to promote more root growth. After doing that and placing it in the brightest south-facing window you have so it gets at least 12 hours of sunlight a day for proper photosynthesis. I hope it goes well & goodluck! I love tradescantia’s😊
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