Tradescantia zebrina è un'erba rampicante o clump-forming nella famiglia delle spiderwort (Commelinaceae), coltivata per il suo fogliame spesso colorato.
Bright, indirect light, with a little direct sun, keeps the purple, silver and pink variegation strong and growth compact; in low light the colours fade and the stems become leggy.
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil dry out; the slightly fleshy stems tolerate brief drought but dislike waterlogging. Reduce in winter.
Ordinary free-draining potting mix with some perlite. Not fussy.
Comfortable 15–26 °C; keep above 10 °C. Tolerates average humidity; higher gives lusher growth.
Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.
Pinch and trim regularly to keep it full and prevent legginess; cuttings root extremely easily in water or soil. The sap can irritate skin and is mildly toxic to pets if eaten.