Spiderwort Zebrina

Super stripy foliage with olive green leaves with streaks of purple and silver. Quick and easy.

These trailing plants spill and thrill from pots or hanging baskets. They don’t care if it is humid or not, they just want light and water – too easy! This plant holds the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit so you know it’s tough and forgiving.

SIZE (HxW): 10-20cm x 20-60cm

I SEE THE LIGHT: They grow best in a bright, indirect light – if you need a light to read by during the day in their position, it is too dark. They will grow happily in artificial light, needing around 8-10 hours a day – so they are great in the office. You will get the best colour in bright light – the will revert to boring old green if you don’t give them enough. Trim any green leaves off so the plant can maintain its dignity.

I NEED A DRINK: Average. Water thoroughly, then allow the top couple of centimetres of the soil to dry out before watering again.

While not overly fussy about humidity, if the leaf tips begin to brown over winter in your heating give them a quick spritz with a water spray.

I WILL SURVIVE: Add a diluted liquid fertiliser every other watering over spring/summer, just follow the directions on the pack.

Snip out any spent or damaged leaves to keep your plant happy and healthy. Tip prune to keep them to your desired size and encourage bushiness or branching – this must means pinching out the end of the growth at the desired spot. You can even use these prunings to create all new plants, just pop them in the soil and keep moist, you could also get them to grow roots in a glass of water.

Repot in spring as the roots fill the pot, gradually increasing the size of the container. Best kept in a pot, they can become rampant in the right garden conditions.