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Key characteristics

Family: Commelinaceae
Height: 6 to 12 inches tall
Width: 1 to 2 feet wide
Flower color: Small, pink to purple flowers
Foliage color: Green leaves with silvery stripes on top and a purple underside
Bloom time: Primarily spring and summer
Light: Bright, indirect light to partial shade
Water: Moderate
Maintenance: Low; trim as needed to control spread
Growing zone: USDA Zones 9 to 11 (often grown as a houseplant in cooler climates)
Wildlife: Attracts bees

Groundcovers

Tradescantia zebrina

Inch Plant

Tradescantia zebrina, also known as inch plant, is a dramatic trailing plant native to Mexico and Central America. Its vibrant, iridescent leaves are striped with deep green, silver, and purple tones, creating a bold, dynamic look in hanging baskets, containers, or as ground cover in warm climates. The leaves' distinctive coloration and vining habit make it a favorite for adding color and texture to indoor or shaded garden spaces.

Light

Bright, indirect light to partial shade

Water

Moderate

Bloom time

Primarily spring and summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Woodland Gardens
Borders
Under Trees
Pathways & Walkways

Companion plants

Oxalis · Kalmias · Trilliums · Sword ferns · Violets · Rodgersias

Design tip

Use the shimmering foliage to weave bold ribbons of color beneath shrubs and small trees where flowers are less abundant. Repeat silver-toned leaves throughout the planting to create visual continuity while adding movement, depth, and year-round texture.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)