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RHS guide
The first one, 7 Oct 2026
Silver inch plant (two rooted cuttings)
Tradescantia zebrina
Two rooted cuttings from a friend, one to a pot. Leaves striped silver and green on top, with purple undersides.
Keep in bright light, out of strong sun, to hold the colour. Roots from any piece of stem.
- Common name
- Silver inch plant (two rooted cuttings)
- Section
- Propagation
- Spot
- Indoors
- Soil
- Potting mix
- Options
Potential
Trailing foliage plants for a hanging or raised pot, and a steady supply of further cuttings.
- From
- A gift from a family friend (rooted cuttings), Oct 2026
- Age
- Under a year
- Next repot
- Around Apr 2027
- Edible
- ❌ No: The sap can irritate skin, and it is mildly toxic to pets.
- Hardy
- ❌ No: indoors all winter
- Garden-centre price
- about £6
Did you know?
The silver stripes aren't pigment: they are tiny pockets of air under the leaf's surface, reflecting the light.
Care & updates
- Next root check
- Apr 2027
- What to expect
- Quick growth from spring to late summer, then a winter rest. Pinch out the tips to make it branch; every piece pinched off will root.
- Feeding
- Every 28 days, Apr–Aug, with Houseplant feed, half strength
- Observation
Two rooted cuttings arrived, one to a pot. Both upright, well coloured and rooted.