Zebrina

What is Zebrina?

Zebrina is not a current, distinct genus of plants; it was formerly a genus of trailing herbaceous plants within the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae) and is now classified under the genus Tradescantia.¹

The most well-known species formerly classified as Zebrina is the inch plant, now known as Tradescantia zebrina. This plant is popular as an indoor foliage choice due to its colorful leaves, which appear in various varieties such as ‘Purpusii,’ featuring dark red or bronzy foliage, and ‘Quadricolor,’ which displays metallic-green leaves striped with green, red, and white. Like other members of the Tradescantia genus, these plants are characterized by their ease of propagation from cuttings and their trailing growth habit.¹²

How do you propagate spiderwort plants from cuttings?

Spiderworts (genus Tradescantia) are widely appreciated as indoor plants because they are exceptionally easy to propagate. You can successfully grow new plants by taking cuttings from the stems, as they take root very readily.²

To propagate your spiderwort:

• Take a cutting: Select a healthy stem from the parent plant.
• Rooting: Place the cutting in water or directly into moist soil. Because these plants are vigorous growers, they typically develop roots quickly without requiring complex intervention.²

Once the roots have established, you can transplant the cutting into a pot or garden bed to continue its growth.

What are the main differences between indoor and outdoor spiderworts?

The primary differences between indoor and outdoor spiderworts (genus Tradescantia) relate to their growth habits and the specific species chosen for those environments.

Indoor Spiderworts

Indoor varieties are typically selected for their trailing growth habit, making them ideal for hanging baskets. Popular indoor choices include:

• Small-leaf spiderwort (Tradescantia fluminensis): Valued for its delicate, trailing stems.
• Inch plant (T. zebrina): Highly popular for its colorful, variegated foliage, which includes varieties like ‘Purpusii’ and ‘Quadricolor’.²

Outdoor Spiderworts

Outdoor spiderworts are often grown as ground cover in warmer climates or as upright garden specimens. Notable outdoor species include:

• Common spiderwort (T. virginiana): An upright, juicy-stemmed plant that produces white, pink, or purple flowers.
• White velvet (T. sillamontana): Distinguished by its stems and leaves covered in a whitish fuzz.
• Garden hybrids: T. ×andersoniana represents a complex series of hybrids specifically developed for garden cultivation.²

While all species share the same basic botanical characteristics—such as radially symmetric flowers and ease of propagation—the distinction lies in whether they are cultivated for their trailing indoor aesthetic or their upright, hardy outdoor presence.²

Why are some plants reclassified from one genus to another?

Plants are reclassified from one genus to another primarily because taxonomy is a dynamic, evolving field that relies on ongoing research to refine our understanding of evolutionary relationships (phylogeny).³⁴

As scientists gather new information, they may determine that a plant’s previous classification does not accurately reflect its true biological or evolutionary connections. Key drivers for these revisions include:

• New Analytical Techniques: Modern methods, such as measuring the degree of molecular similarity in DNA or using chemotaxonomy to analyze metabolic products, provide objective, quantitative evidence that can reveal closer or more distant relationships than previously thought.³
• Refined Morphology: Advances in technology, such as the use of scanning electron microscopes, allow for a deeper understanding of plant structures, which are fundamental to classical taxonomy.³
• Scientific Consensus: Taxonomy is subject to revision as the scientific community gains more data. Because there are no explicit, universal rules defining exactly what constitutes a specific rank, classifications often reflect a general consensus among practicing taxonomists. When new evidence emerges, it may lead to the reassignment of species to ensure the classification system remains as accurate as possible.⁴⁵