Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Nanouk’

Wet forests of southern South America

‘Nanouk’ was bred in Sappemeer, the Netherlands, from two unnamed selections of Tradescantia albiflora. That name is now treated as a synonym of T. fluminensis, a species native from southeastern and southern Brazil to northern Argentina. In the wild, its stems run over the forest floor and climb low vegetation in wet tropical forest.

Its wild relatives grow in warmth, humid air, filtered light and regular moisture. Loose forest litter stays moist and drains well. Give ‘Nanouk’ similar conditions, with bright filtered light for short, sturdy growth.

How to grow Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Nanouk’

Bright filtered light for compact colour

Choose bright filtered light and brief gentle sun. Strong light introduced gradually keeps the short growth dense. Hot midday exposure can mark the cream and pink-purple areas.

Let the top layer dry

Water thoroughly once the upper mix has dried and let the pot drain. The sturdy fleshy stems tolerate a short dry spell. Repeated drought crisps the lower leaves, and constant wetness damages the roots.

A broad pot with an open mix

Use well-drained compost and leave room for the upright-to-spreading stems. Choose a wide, modest-sized pot. It gives the spreading stems room and holds less slow-drying mix than a deep pot.

Selective pinching and renewal

Pinch only the longest shoots above a node to maintain branching, and root healthy tips when an older centre becomes sparse. Keep warm and feed lightly during active growth.

Troubleshooting Tradescantia ‘Nanouk’

Pink and purple tones become less intense

Leaf colour can shift with light intensity, temperature and leaf age. Move gradually into brighter filtered light and assess the next leaves; fertiliser cannot restore colour to existing tissue.

The compact stems develop longer gaps

Insufficient light or rich feeding can loosen the naturally compact habit. Increase filtered brightness, reduce excessive feeding and prune the longest healthy shoots above a node.

Leaf margins become brown and crisp

Check for a repeatedly dry root ball, hot direct sun and salt build-up. Water the full root zone, protect the pale areas from abrupt sun and flush accumulated fertiliser.

Yellow softness spreads from the stem base

Wet compost is weakening the thick roots and fleshy stems. Remove rotting sections, improve drainage and let the upper mix dry before rewatering.

Aphids or mealybugs crowd the new growth

Inspect the short leaf axils and developing tips. Isolate the plant, wash off visible pests and repeat control until the compact centre remains clean.

Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Nanouk’ can irritate skin and the mouth

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs that may chew it.
• Its sap and leaves can irritate sensitive skin, the mouth and the digestive tract.
• Exposure may cause red or itchy skin, mouth irritation, drooling or an upset stomach. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop or persist.

Where does the name Tradescantia fluminensis come from?

Tradescantia commemorates the father and son John Tradescant. Fluminensis comes from the Latin flumen, meaning river.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Tradescantia in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 288; Heinrich Bernard Ruppius had proposed the name.

José Mariano da Conceição Vellozo first described Tradescantia fluminensis in 1829 in Flora Fluminensis, volume 3, 140, plate 152.