This plant seems so happy here, but the app tells me it might be in a spot too dark for it. Should I move it? also should I trim the at the rate it’s going? It’ll reach the floor soon lol some of the leaves near the soil seem dead. Am I supposed to weed them out? Hope everyone is having an amazing day sending positive vibes out.
I love the planta community and Dr Planta’s diagnostic tools but I caution anyone using the watering schedule and light meter. I pointing the light meter right at my brightest window and it determined it was shade- which I have a hard time believing. The watering schedule is also way to frequent for my babes, some have gotten mold and fungus gnats. Id just wait and see, tbh. I’m always moving my babies around trying to see what light they like bc it’s hard to determine what light is what in my home. Good luck!
3 likes Btw, that light looks fine to me!
0 likes Thanks. Do you think I should weed brown leaves and trim back ?
1 like Yep! I usually let the leaves turn yellow and if they fall off easily when shaken, it’s time to go :) As far as trimming, as long as the vines don’t get leggy (lose a lot of leaves) I’m sure it’s fine. The brown leaves can be left, but probably shouldn’t because their decomp can create mold and trap water which is a great way to invite pests 🥴
0 likesAgreed
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this plant is definitely etiolated, or stretched due to lack of light. your plant appears to be struggling and will be much healthier and happier if you gradually introduce it to brighter light. tradescantia prefer at least a few hours of bright, direct light and indirect light the rest of the day. a bit away from an east or west window is good for this kind of lighting. once adjusted to appropriate lighting your plant will likely have a lot more purple color, and the nodes should be much closer together. in my experience happy tradescantia have very little space between nodes, exact amounts depending on the species.
2 likes Great info! My trandescantia hated too much light. I say hated because she is no longer with us, she’s outside in the woods 😂
1 like how far is it from the window? and which direction does the window face? is there ever any direct light in this corner? i’m wondering if any plant could thrive there, perhaps a pothos or spider plant.
1 like v, they absolutely can burn in too much light! my t. zebrina lets me know if she’s getting too much light by turning vibrant plum-purple. this is why gradually introducing plants to brighter light is so important, especially if they’re adjusted to shade
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That looks like a Purple Heart to Me, is that right? They for sure need more light, in the sun they’ll get a purple color which is where the name comes from. I’d for sure slowly transition it to a brighter spot if I’m right on the species.
2 likes“If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” 😄
0 likes 🤦♀️so many different answers
0 likes Such is the plight of the plant owner. I’m about to start giving my plants astrological signs and taking care of them based on their horoscopes 😂 jk
1 like Purple Heart spiderwort is what the app identified it as
1 like i would highly suggest looking at some photos of tradescantia pallida (purple heart spiderwort) growing in the wild or in cultivation outdoors / in full sun indoors. when truly healthy, this species looks totally different. the pale coloration and increased internodal space (gaps between nodes or “leaf knuckles”) indicate a plant that is suffering due to lack of light. it appears to be just surviving in the current spot; shade can make plants more prone to fungal and bacterial infections as well as pest problems so i recommend relocating it as the plant’s health will likely decline further. others have commented recommending otherwise, but i can tell just by the pictures that it is struggling. i’ve had plants die eventually when left too long in similar conditions, so if this is a plant that is important to you it would be best to move it somewhere it can thrive.
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Here’s mine. This is its natural color. It’s over 15 years old growing in three pots on my concrete patio. It lives on rainwater that it catches it self. It freezes back a little and I cover with wool shipping blanket and plastic drop cloth on the coldest days. It took the 107°F heatwave last summer. I put cow manure in the pots in spring. I water daily. when the temps are too high. It blooms daily.
thank you for sharing, sunny! i’m always impressed by the vibrance of your garden ☀️
0 likes So move to more light and trim back?
0 likesAs long as it’s happy, I don’t think you should move it
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I would say if you like how the plant looks then it’s fine in that spot if looks healthy, I would suggest giving it a little tlc though, like changing it too a 1inch-2inch larger pot and trimming old leaves and trimming some of the long leaves and propagating them in the top to make a bushier plant
0 likes What about in front entryway? I live in SWFL
