Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor'

Identity and natural origin of Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor'

‘Sitara’, also sold as ‘Tricolor’, is a cultivated selection of Tradescantia spathacea. The species occurs naturally from southern Mexico to Guatemala and occupies low, humid ground in wet tropical habitats.

Its natural habitat is warm and humid, with bright filtered light, frequent rainfall and drainage around the roots. The compact rosette grows at ground level.

Growing Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ aka ‘Tricolor’ at home

Place it in bright filtered light with a little mild sun at either end of the day. The green, cream and pink leaves keep a compact arrangement in good light. Sudden hot sun can burn the pale areas.

Keep it around 15–24 °C, away from cold draughts. Protect it from prolonged temperatures below 10 °C. Aim for 50–60% humidity.

Watering. Water thoroughly after the upper layer of mix has dried and the pot feels lighter, then let all excess drain. Pour onto the mix so water stays out of the overlapping leaf bases.

Potting mix. Use an airy mix in a broad container with a clear drainage hole.

Feeding. Feed weakly as new leaves form.

Repotting. Increase pot size modestly when the root system has filled the current container. Replace degraded mix if drainage slows; stabilise the plant separately when its roots still have room.

Propagation and renewal. Let offsets root beside the parent rosette before separating them during active growth. Older rosettes on lengthening stems can also be cut and rooted for a lower, denser plant.

What may go wrong with Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ aka ‘Tricolor’

Cream and pink stripes look bleached or crisp

Hot direct sun has damaged the pale sectors. Move the rosette into bright filtered light and introduce any gentle sun gradually.

A solid-green offset grows from the base

Remove the reverted shoot at its base if it begins to overtake the slower striped rosettes. Extra fertiliser will not restore missing variegation.

The centre or lower leaf bases turn soft

Water trapped inside the rosette or saturated compost can start stem rot. Remove damaged tissue, improve drainage and direct future watering onto the mix.

An older rosette rises on a bare stem

This is normal development in an established plant. Cut and root the healthy top if a lower rosette is preferred, then use the rooted tip to renew the pot.

Scale or mealybugs hide under the leaves

Inspect the tight bases and purple undersides. Move the plant away from others, remove the visible insects and treat again.

Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ 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.

How the name Tradescantia spathacea came about

Tradescantia commemorates the father and son John Tradescant. Spathacea means spathe-like and refers to the boat-shaped bracts around the flowers.

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

Olof Swartz first described Tradescantia spathacea in 1788 in Prodromus Vegetationis Indiae Occidentalis, page 57.