---
title: "How to water a Tradescantia spathacea"
description: "Keep your Tradescantia spathacea healthy with correct watering. Discover how to check soil moisture and use top, bottom, or bath watering techniques effectively."
url: "https://getplanta.com/discover/watering/tradescantiaspathacea"
published: "2025-11-20T08:44:40.484Z"
modified: "2026-10-06T10:05:42.239Z"
author: "Planta"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/RZy4b5gaRG-Sy9I0a9bT9g.webp?size=large"
---

# How to water a Tradescantia spathacea

## How to water

Feel the soil: it should be a bit moist but not wet when watering your Tradescantia Spathacea again. Squeeze a bit of soil between your fingers - if water seeps out it’s still wet. There are several ways to water Tradescantia Spathacea - they aren’t very picky.

**If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.**

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/RZy4b5gaRG-Sy9I0a9bT9g.webp?size=large)

## Water over the soil

1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap
2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes
3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water
4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

> Tradescantia Spathacea loves the perfect balance between wet and dry soil. They don’t like to dry out completely and they don’t want to be overwatered.  
> — Planta tip

![](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/public/content/Jm8MF7UiRraEuhZetU5anQ.webp?size=large)

## Bottom watering

1. Fill the plant tray with water
2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray
3. Wait for about 10 minutes
4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray
5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray
6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

### Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

## Water bath

1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water
2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water
3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped
4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off
5. Put your plant back in the cachepot or on the tray
6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

> Even if Tradescantia Spathacea loves water, they don’t like to live in wet soil, so make sure that it is planted in a pot with excellent drainage.  
> — Planta tip

## Ofte stilte spørsmål

### How do I check if my Tradescantia spathacea needs water?

Feel the soil; it should be a bit moist but not wet. If water seeps out when you squeeze the soil, it's still wet and doesn't need watering yet.

### Can Tradescantia spathacea be overwatered?

Yes, Tradescantia spathacea does not like to live in consistently wet soil, which can lead to overwatering and rot. It thrives with a good balance between wet and dry soil.

### What are the different ways to water Tradescantia spathacea?

You can water your Tradescantia spathacea by pouring water over the soil, using a bottom watering method where the plant soaks water from a tray, or by giving it a full water bath.

### Is bottom watering sufficient for Tradescantia spathacea?

While bottom watering is a good method, it will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil. Therefore, you should also water over the soil occasionally to help with this.

### Why is good drainage important for Tradescantia spathacea?

Even though Tradescantia spathacea loves water, it dislikes living in perpetually wet soil, which can cause root issues. Excellent drainage helps prevent overwatering and rot.

---

_Planta (https://getplanta.com), plantepleie-appen for iOS og Android. Last ned appen: https://getplanta.com/download_