Tradescantia zebrina 'Red-Silver' - Red-Silver Wandering Dude

This lovely trailing variety is predominantly grown for its foliage; cascading leaves of silvery green and deep burgundy show off in hanging baskets, patio containers, window boxes or as ground cover; low maintenance and heat tolerant

Height: 8 inches. Sun: partial shade. Hardiness zone: (annual).

Ornamental features

Red-Silver Wandering Jew's attractive pointy leaves remain grayish green in color with showy burgundy variegation and tinges of silver throughout the year on a plant with a trailing habit of growth.

Landscape

Red-Silver Wandering Jew is an herbaceous annual with a trailing habit of growth, eventually spilling over the edges of hanging baskets and containers. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Recommended for: Mass Planting, Border Edging, General Garden Use, Groundcover, Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens, Container Planting, Hanging Baskets.

Planting and growing

Red-Silver Wandering Jew will grow to be about 8 inches tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 12 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. Although it's not a true annual, this fast-growing plant can be expected to behave as an annual in our climate if left outdoors over the winter, usually needing replacement the following year. As such, gardeners should take into consideration that it will perform differently than it would in its native habitat.

This plant should be grown in a location with partial shade or which is shaded from the hot afternoon sun. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider covering it with a thick layer of mulch in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This particular variety is an interspecific hybrid. It can be propagated by cuttings; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder.