Family: Commelinaceae
Author: Bosse
Bibliography: Vollst. Handb. Blumengärt., ed. 4: 655 (1849)
Year: 1849
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Tradescantia
Vegetable: False
Observations: Mexico to Colombia
Description
Inchplant, scientifically recognized as Tradescantia zebrina, is a vibrant perennial belonging to the family Commelinaceae. This intriguing species is distinguished by its striking foliage—each leaf showcases a unique, zebra-like pattern of purple and green stripes with a shimmering silver overlay, which often captures the admiration of plant enthusiasts.
Native to the tropical and subtropical regions spanning from Mexico to Colombia, the Inchplant flourishes in warm, humid environments. It has adapted to a variety of conditions, growing both as a ground cover and in hanging baskets where its trailing stems can cascade beautifully.
Tradescantia zebrina is remarkably resilient, making it a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor cultivation. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions, although the coloration of its leaves may become less vibrant. Well-draining soil and regular watering help maintain its lush appearance, although it can endure brief periods of drought due to its somewhat succulent nature.
Aside from its ornamental value, the Inchplant is appreciated for its ease of propagation. New plants can be quickly propagated from stem cuttings, making it an accessible option for gardeners wishing to expand their collection or share with friends.
In summary, the Inchplant stands out not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its adaptability and ease of care, earning it a prominent place in both home and garden settings. This well-documented plant, first detailed in the “Vollständiges Handbuch der Blumengärtnerei” in 1849 by Bosse, continues to charm plant lovers with its exotic beauty and robust nature.
Common Names
Eng: inchplant, wandering-jew, inch-plant
Deu: silber-dreimasterblume
Por: judeu-errante, lambari, lambari-roxo, onda-do-mar, trapoeraba-zebra
En: Inchplant, Wandering-Jew, Inch-plant, Wandering jew
Af: Wandelende Jood
Ar: زبرينا فضية
Eu: Katu belarri
Bn: ইঞ্চি লতা
Zh: 二打不死, 假金線蓮, 吊竹梅, 吊竹草, 斑葉鴨跖草, 時線蓮, 百毒散, 紅竹仔草, 紅竹菜, 紅舌草, 紅苞鴨跖草, 紅葉鴨跖草, 紫背金牛, 花葉竹夾菜, 鴨舌紅
De: Zebra-Ampelkraut, Silber-Dreimasterblume
Fa: زبرینا
Pt: Judeu-errante, Lambari, Lambari-roxo, Onda-do-mar, Trapoeraba-zebra
Zh-tw: 吊竹草
Th: ก้ามปูหลุด
Synonyms
- Commelina zebrina ((Bosse) André)
- Cyanotis zebrina ((Bosse) Nees)
Distribution
- Belize (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Angola (introduced)
- Argentina Northeast (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Bermuda (introduced)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Brazil Northeast (introduced)
- Brazil South (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Canary Is. (introduced)
- Cape Verde (introduced)
- Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
- China Southeast (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Florida (introduced)
- Gabon (introduced)
- Galápagos (introduced)
- Gambia (introduced)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (introduced)
- Guyana (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kentucky (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Louisiana (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Nansei-shoto (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Niue (introduced)
- Norfolk Is. (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Philippines (introduced)
- Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Seychelles (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
- St.Helena (introduced)
- Taiwan (introduced)
- Togo (introduced)
- Tonga (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Tuamotu (introduced)
- Venezuela (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Dec 8, 2021 by Robin Mourier (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 23, 2018 by Idolaf Noshk (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Ya Lama (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Ya Lama (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 5, 2017 by Boris N’GUYEN VAN KY (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 17, 2020 by Bob37 (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 4, 2021 by Fuco (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 21, 2021 by Palomero (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 13, 2019 by Maria Vitoria Maria Vitoria Marinho Rolim (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 23, 2021 by guaman marion (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2018 by Jocelyn Hernández (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by Michele Ongaro (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 8, 2021 by Mégan Sanson (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2020 by Audrey SIMONNET (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 5, 2018 by aninha nogueira (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 13, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Apr 19, 2021 by Luiz Ricardo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 8, 2022 by Vico Mont’f (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 10, 2021 by Brittany Walker (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 27, 2021 by Alina M (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 25, 2022 by Victory CABCOR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2022 by Katrin Molkenthin (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 4, 2022 by gasia pin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2021 by Eduardo Martinez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 15, 2020 by Abdul-Ghakeem Abrahams (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- WFO (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2765359)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30049896-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tradescantia zebrina Bosse)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb