Tradescantia 'Discolor Multicolor', pastel-colored misery

Do you like the striped foliage of your Tradescantia zebrina and are you crazy about pastel colors? Then Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor' should appeal to you. This cultivar has green leaves with cream and pale pink patterns.

How to recognize Tradescantia 'Discolor Multicolor'?

Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor' grows to an average height of 60 centimetres. It is an herbaceous perennial with a creeping or drooping habit.

In fact, its stems grow straight before curving. Glabrous, they are violet or greenish-yellow and speckled with green. The size of the internodes varies. It is generally shortest (just one centimetre) at the end of the stems. But close to the root, it can be four centimetres long.

The oval leaves are pointed and asymmetrical. They measure between five and nine centimetres in length. They come in several shades of green, from olive to light green. Mature leaf blades are crossed by purple or gray lines and have purple or yellow undersides.

Like tradescantia 'Nanouk or tradescantia spathacea (Tradescantia spathaceae), Tradescantia 'Discolor Multicolor' is grown for its decorative foliage. Pink or white flowers rarely appear. Moreover, flowering is very discreet. The flowers bloom one after the other and live for just one day.

Miseries are harmless to animals and humans. They are not toxic on contact or if ingested. They can, however, cause digestive problems or skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Our maintenance tips

The more light your Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor receives, the more its colors will shine through. Give it a bright spot, but keep it out of direct sunlight. Its favorite spot? Behind a curtained window. On summer mornings and evenings, you can even put it out on your windowsill.

Watering

Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor can withstand neither drought nor excess water.

Before watering, check the condition of the potting soil. The surface must be at least one centimeter dry.

Spray

Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor love humidity. Spray their foliage to increase humidity and combat pest invasion.

Repotting

In spring, transfer your Tradescantia zebrina ‘Discolor Multicolor’ to a larger pot, so that it can continue to grow.

Obtain a pierced pot one size larger than the previous one. Place a bed of clay balls or non-limestone gravel at the bottom to promote drainage. Then fill with a nutrient-rich potting soil, such as green plant compost, to within three centimetres of the rim. This way, water won't overflow during watering.

To create a close environment that will remind your plant of its natural surroundings, you can place its pot on a saucer filled with wet clay balls. They'll diffuse a much-appreciated humidity!

Fertilization

You can stimulate the development of your plant during its growth phase, in spring and summer, with fertilizer.

Supplement watering with a houseplant fertilizer to promote the development of your Tradescantia zebrina ‘Discolor Multicolor’.

If you have just repotted, wait six to eight weeks before starting to fertilize.

Prune

To control the growth of creepers on your Tradescantia zebrina 'Discolor Multicolor, you can prune the stems by about a third. Cut with a clean, sharp tool (pruning shears, scissors...) above a healthy leaf. Pruning also helps maintain a compact habit.

Remove dead leaves at the base.

Pinch

Pinch your Tradescantia zebrina ‘Discolor Multicolor’ during its growing season.

To encourage stem branching, pinch off the terminal buds.

Cutting

Cutting is carried out during the strong growth phase, generally in spring and early summer.

Using a clean, sharp tool, take a healthy stem of about ten centimeters and remove the lower leaves. You can dip the base in a cutting hormone to accelerate growth.

Place your cutting in a glass filled with water at room temperature. Make sure you submerge the knots, which will form the roots.

Place in a bright spot away from direct sunlight. Change the water regularly to keep it clear until the roots appear.

Diseases / Threats

Information

Family	Commelinaceae - Commelinaceae
Type	Misery - Tradescantia
Species	Misery - Tradescantia zebrina
Lifecycle	Perennial
Foliage	Evergreen
Exposures	Sun Half-shade
Substrats	Clay soil Humus soil Sandy soil
Planting method	In pots
Categories	Interior Rhizome Herbaceous Hanging plants
Tags	Beginner Increvable Toxic
Origin	Central America
Hardiness (USDA)	10a
Leaf color
Flower colors