Tradescantia lanosa (Tradescantia Sillamontana)

This is a perennial xerophytic herbaceous plant belonging to the Commelinaceae family, a genus made up of about 30 species of herbaceous plants spread throughout the American Continent and whose origin moves to Mexico and with endemic characteristics in dry areas of the area.

characteristics

The Tradescantia Sillamontana is a small plant that does not exceed 40 centimeters in height, with an upright habit and highly branched hairy stems at the top.

The shape of its leaves is oblong lanceolate and its flowering is contemplated between mid-spring and late summer, however in warm climates it could flourish satisfactorily.

They are used as indoor decoration plants due to their interesting striking appearance due to the white wooliness that covers their stems and leaves.

This woolly-looking hairs protect the plant from the sun’s rays and from the loss of water from its leaves, since it is necessary to prevent them from being burned by the sun. They can be kept inside the home all year long, not being able to do the same outside, since being a warm-friendly plant it would spoil when cold days arrive.

Its stems are by nature thick and although it is a plant of upright origin and nature, once they grow they are affected and overcome by the weight of its stems, which transforms it into an exceptional decorative element due to the originality of its woolly leaves and delicacy of its pink flowers, in such a way that they naturally expose their ornamental qualities.

Caring for the Tradescantia Sillamontana

Its delicate flowers grow alone at the end of the stem and its beautiful color is an intense pink, the flowering is essentially typical of the genus, which adds originality to the plant but not a great attraction.

As an important part of the care and maintenance of this species, one must proceed to supply the required humidity without exceeding the amounts from spring to autumn, as well as rely on the use of a standard mineral fertilizer every 15 to 20 days.

It is recommended to use doses lower than those recommended by the manufacturer and thus avoid an excess of nitrogen for optimal results.

The woolly tradescantia needs simple care, not complicated and without problems . You should only keep the substrate properly moistened   and not expose it to direct sunlight, it does not require pruning, you just have to detach the already weakened stems, we will shorten the too long ones and we can use the cuttings as cuttings and in this way encourage the birth of new ones. more robust shoots and specimens.

Culture

They have the advantage and particularity that through their fragments or cuttings nature allows the plant to reproduce in a short period of time.

The roots will begin to be seen in a short period without major inconveniences, rooting easily and simply, inserting it directly into the substrate without the use of external chemical agents such as hormones.

It is a simple plant and very easy to grow as long as its needs are respected, as has already been pointed out, pests and diseases are not the enemy, its enemies to take into account are excess water and extreme temperatures.

It only requires a well-moisturized soil and seasoned with a blanket of leaves to maintain the required humidity, a generous proportion of coarse sand that facilitates drainage, thus avoiding the risk of rotting and keeping the plant almost dry in autumn and winter to its successful evolution and growth.

Finally, it is appropriate to add the ideal that this species looks when it is placed in high or uneven pots and where its decorative hanging stems stand out and its branches slide down showing in all its splendor, since in this precisely is its beauty and attractiveness.