Tradescantia zebrina is native to the gulf cost region of Mexico but has become naturalized in moist, disturbed hardwood forests in southern and central Florida. It has a trailing habit and forms dense mats with branches climbing over each other. The leaves are dark purple on the reverse side while the top has a zebra pattern striped with silver and burgundy. The color is intense on new growth and fades somewhat with age. When grown as a house plant Tradescantia zebrina usually ends up becoming leggy and unattractive but new plants can be made by rooting cuttings in either water or an organic potting medium.

This plant prefers a rich, organic evenly moist soil and a bright shady location. Unlike other Tradescantia, T. zebrina has a clear, watery sap that can cause skin irritation in some individuals so care should be taken when pruning or coming into contact with broken stems.

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I have been growing this for a few years in Maryland. It looks horrible most of the time inside the house. But I have kept some alive till spring when I put it outside. It quickly adapts to full sun here, becomes huge, lush and gorgeous and grows like a weed. Roots easily where stems lie on soil.

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