Commelinaceae
Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor'
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- Curated selection:
Every plant is hand‑picked for health and visual appeal, so you receive a strong, well‑established plant.
- Representative photos:
Product images show a typical plant of this variety. Natural differences in leaf number, shape or variegation are normal, your plant will still match in type and quality.
- Size details:
Listed sizes refer to pot diameter (cm) and approximate overall height (cm) from the base of the pot to the tallest leaf or stem.
- “Get What You See” items:
If you are buying the exact plant shown in the photos, this is clearly stated in the size section.
- Individual photos:
One‑off photos are only provided when this is explicitly mentioned in the size section. - For special traits or small quirks, please check the full product description.
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Interested in Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor'? Worth reading:
Colored Variegated Houseplants Explained: Pigments, Genetics, and Care
The Ultimate Guide to Watering Houseplants: Everything You Need to Know to Keep Your Indoor Garden Thriving
Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor' at a glance:
Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' forms compact rosettes of narrow leaves striped in green, cream, and muted purple, with reddish-purple undersides adding contrast when the plant is viewed from the side. Unlike looser trailing Tradescantia, it stays more ordered at first and only later begins to extend, which makes it especially useful in bowls, low planters, and grouped displays where structure matters.
Bright indirect light preserves the colour, while a well-aerated mix and slight drying between waterings reduce the risk of root problems and curling from stress. Warm conditions, moderate humidity, and periodic trimming of older growth keep the rosettes tidy, though the sap can still irritate skin and is best kept away from pets. Tip pinching keeps it fuller.
Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor'
Quick Care Guide
Light
Bright indirect • approx. 10,000–20,000 lux
Water
Water when ~60–80% dry
Substrate
Aerated • Moisture-buffered • Balanced organic + mineral • Medium
Temperature
Ideal: 15–24 °C • Avoid below: 10 °C
Humidity
Moist 50–60 %
Growth habit
upright rosette clumper
Support
not needed
Growth speed
Average
Max size indoors
Max. trail length: 60 cm • Max. spread: 60 cm
Toxicity & safety
Mildly toxic
Origin & habitat
Cultivar of Tradescantia spathacea
How to read these metrics
These metrics are standardised reference points. We compile them by reviewing and cross-checking multiple botanical and horticultural references, then refining them through real-world growing experience. Source links: Plant Care Resources.
Please use the values as guidance. Conditions vary by home, so the same plant can respond differently. For plant-specific context, read the full product description and browse our Plant Care Guides.
- Light: level + approximate lux at leaf level;
- Watering: “% dry” is the trigger before watering again; lower % stays more evenly moist.
- Potting mix: one-line profile (structure/drainage • moisture buffer • base • particle size).
- Temperature: “Ideal” comfort range; “Avoid below” marks higher stress risk.
- Humidity: target bands (Normal/Moist/Humid); consistency usually matters most.
- Growth habit: growth form (rosette, trailing, climbing) for placement and training.
- Support: needed/optional/none, whether stake, pole, or trellis improves structure and size.
- Growth speed: fast/average/slow under decent indoor conditions—expectations, not a promise.
- Max size indoors: realistic long-term potential; format differs for climbers vs. trailers.
- Toxicity & safety: chemical irritants/toxicity and physical hazards (spines, bristles).
- Origin & habitat: native region + typical biome/habitat as context.
Can Tradescantia spathacea 'Sitara' aka 'Tricolor' be grown outdoors in European climates?
Summer outdoors onlyMore outdoor growing details
Move outside once nights stay above
10°C
Bring under cover below
5°C
Best outdoors in
Frost-free summer patios, Sheltered urban patios
Outdoor note
Protection and winter
- Protection: Frost-free wintering indoors
- Wintering: Overwinter bright and frost-free or root cuttings indoors
- Not a good fit for: Not suitable for strong midday sun, exposed wind or long periods of saturated compost.
Outdoor conditions
- Drainage: Moist but well-drained
- Moisture outdoors: Evenly moist
- Wind exposure: Sheltered
Plant Care Basics:
- Care basics , Main hub with links to all houseplant care guides.
- After delivery & first week , Unpacking, first placement, and early recovery.
- Light, How much light houseplants really need indoors.
- Watering , When to water and how to avoid root rot.
- Substrates & roots , Potting mixes and drainage for strong root systems.
- Humidity, When humidity matters and what actually helps.
- Fertilizing, Simple feeding routine without burning roots.
- Problems & pests, Yellow leaves, brown tips, bugs, and fixes that work.
- Semi-hydro , How to run low-maintenance mineral substrates.
Your new plant has just travelled a long way and needs a calm start in its new home. For step-by-step unboxing and first-week care, check our after-delivery care guide. For deeper tips on how your plant settles in over the next weeks, read our houseplant acclimatization guide.