The Tradescantia genus, frequently called the Inchplant or Wandering Dude, is a collection of popular, fast-growing houseplants known for their vibrant foliage and trailing habit. The cultivar ‘Feeling Flirty’ distinguishes itself with a unique and striking coloration. Its small leaves display a soft, pinkish-purple background overlaid with cool green stripes, creating a painted, variegated effect. This plant is a “spiller,” meaning it grows horizontally and trails beautifully from hanging baskets or the edges of planters, reaching lengths of up to 36 inches.
Establishing the Ideal Growing Environment
The health and aesthetic appeal of ‘Feeling Flirty’ are directly tied to the quality of light it receives. To maintain the striking pink and green variegation, the plant requires bright, indirect light for a substantial part of the day. Without sufficient illumination, the leaves will lose their vibrant color, becoming duller and primarily green.
Direct sun exposure is generally tolerable only during the gentler morning or late afternoon hours. Intense midday sun should be avoided, as it can scorch the foliage. Insufficient light causes the plant to exhibit “stretching,” becoming leggy and sparse as the stems lengthen between the leaves.
Maintaining a comfortable temperature range is important for active growth. ‘Feeling Flirty’ thrives best when temperatures are consistently between 60°F and 85°F. It is sensitive to cold and must be protected from temperatures dropping below 50°F, which can cause significant damage. Tradescantia also benefits from medium to high humidity levels, so placing it near a humidifier or on a pebble tray can help replicate its preferred tropical conditions.
Essential Ongoing Maintenance
Routine maintenance focuses on proper soil, watering, and feeding practices. This plant requires a well-draining potting mix to prevent the roots from sitting in excess moisture, which can lead to root rot. A standard indoor potting mix amended with materials like perlite or orchid bark ensures necessary aeration and drainage.
The correct watering schedule is determined by the soil’s moisture level, not a fixed calendar date. Allow the top one to two inches of the soil to dry out completely before watering again. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly until water drains from the pot’s bottom, then discard any excess water from the saucer.
During the active growing season of spring and summer, the plant benefits from monthly feeding. A balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half the recommended strength, provides the nutrients to support vigorous growth and vibrant color. Fertilization should be reduced or stopped entirely during the fall and winter months when growth naturally slows down.
Pruning and Propagation Methods
Regular pruning is necessary to shape the ‘Feeling Flirty’ cultivar and encourage a dense, bushy appearance. Due to its fast-growing nature, stems can quickly become long and sparse, known as “leggy” growth. Pinching back the stem tips encourages branching at the nodes, resulting in a fuller, more compact plant.
The trimmed stem sections are perfect for propagation, which is easy with this plant. Use clean, sharp snips to take stem cuttings four to six inches long, ensuring each cutting has at least two or three leaf nodes. Remove the leaves from the bottom section of the stem, as any foliage submerged in water or soil will rot.
The cuttings can be rooted in either water or directly in soil.
Water Propagation
Submerge the bare nodes in a glass of water and place them in bright, indirect light; roots typically appear within one to two weeks.
Soil Propagation
Insert the cut end into moist, well-draining soil, ensuring a node is buried, and keep the soil slightly moist until new growth indicates successful rooting. Planting multiple rooted cuttings together creates a dense, full new plant immediately.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
When a ‘Feeling Flirty’ plant struggles, the issue often traces back to light or water imbalances. The most common complaint is the loss of the signature pink and green variegation, a clear symptom of insufficient light exposure. Moving the plant to a brighter location will prompt the new growth to display vibrant colors.
If the plant is stretching and the leaves are spaced far apart on the stem, this “leggy” appearance indicates the plant is seeking more light. Correct this by increasing light exposure and pruning the stretched stems back to promote bushier growth. Conversely, brown or crispy leaf tips suggest the air is too dry or the plant dried out too severely between waterings.
Pest infestations are another possibility, with common houseplant pests like spider mites and mealybugs occasionally affecting Tradescantia. These pests are identified by fine webbing or small, cotton-like masses on the stems and leaf joints. Treating the plant with an insecticidal soap or neem oil application, ensuring thorough coverage of the leaves’ undersides, manages and eliminates these infestations.