As the winter solstice approaches on Dec. 21, signaling the official start of winter and bringing the shortest day and longest night in terms of daylight to the Northern Hemisphere, many gardeners look forward to this event.
Daylight hours will gradually increase, with warmth and natural sunlight slowly returning to the earth in anticipation of spring’s blossoms. You might observe your windowsill houseplants growing stronger and showing more vibrant leaves, thanks to the sun’s nourishing influence. The inch plant (Tradescantia) is a particularly popular choice that flourishes in these conditions.
The inch plant is a creeping perennial native to Colombia and Mexico. Known commonly as silver inch (Tradescantia zebrina) and wandering Jew—a name considered controversial and sometimes replaced by “wandering dude”—this plant has striking purple and green variegated leaves with shiny silver stripes, making it suitable for nearly any indoor setting.
In North America, it often grows in hanging baskets due to its fast-growing, trailing stems. The leaf nodes on the stems are about an inch apart, giving rise to the name “inch plant.” Each segment can produce a new plant, allowing for easy propagation from cuttings.
The inch plant is invasive in warm areas outside its native habitat, including parts of the southeastern U.S. Thus, it is recommended to grow the plant indoors or in containers outdoors on a sheltered patio during spring and summer.
It is easy to grow; water only when the soil is partly dry, especially less in winter. Fertilize twice monthly in spring and summer, but not in fall or winter. Pinch back foliage to control growth and encourage bushiness and use leggy cuttings for propagation.
There are several types of popular inch plants which include “silver inch plant,” with the purple heart (T. pallida) has fuzzy purple foliage instead of green.
Quicksilver (T. fluminensis) has variegated white green foliage and sometimes produces white flowers and the T. nanouk is a newer cultivar with pretty pink, green and white multi colored streaks leaves. It was patented in 2017.
To propagate inch plants, take a cutting about 3 to 4 inches long and place its trimmed end in water. In about a week, roots will typically form, allowing you to transfer the cutting into a container filled with moist potting mix.
Inch plants are generally resistant to serious insect or disease issues. Occasionally, aphids—small insects that feed on sap—may infest the stems and leaves, resulting in distorted foliage, stunted growth and sticky honeydew residue. Regularly check your plant for these pests, especially if it has been outdoors. Additionally, the plant’s sap can cause skin irritation for some individuals.
As we gradually inch closer to winter and year-end celebrations, it marks a time of reflection and gratitude. When daylight hours begin to increase, gardeners and plant lovers look forward to the gradual return of warmth and sunlight.
This natural shift not only benefits houseplants — making them grow stronger and more vibrant — but also lifts spirits, bringing hope and renewal.
Jennie Rodriguez-Priest, J.D., MBA, is a certified Master Gardener, and human resources consultant.
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