One of my absolute favourite tradescantias is the stunning ‘Quadricolor,’ and I bet I’m not alone! This plant has quickly become a star in my ever-growing collection, not just because of its vibrant foliage, but also because it’s incredibly easy to care for and propagate.

I don’t have a dramatic origin story for my first ‘Quadricolor.’ I actually received it last year from a lovely lady online during a plant swap event on a Facebook group. More recently, I even got another as a thoughtful gift when buying other plants. They just seem to find their way to me!

From Nostalgia to Obsession

Growing up, I wasn’t particularly into houseplants. However, I distinctly remember a neighbour’s *Tradescantia zebrina* ‘Evanescence’ and how effortlessly it rooted in water. Perhaps it was a touch of nostalgia that led me to acquire one, along with a ‘Purple Heart,’ but I soon fell head over heels for these plants. Their rapid growth and the way their leaves explode with colour, adapting beautifully to different light levels, completely captivated me. Now, I’m a proud owner of around 25 different varieties!

My ‘Quadricolor,’ in particular, proved its resilience. It impressively survived a winter in a basement studio flat, thanks only to the blessing of artificial light. Once I moved to a sunnier house, I gave all my tradescantias a fresh start, chopping them back to encourage bushier growth and better form.

The Joy of Easy Propagation

Naturally, the ‘Quadricolor’ received the same treatment, and now it’s thriving, split into five separate pots. Many of the clippings didn’t even have roots, and I confidently skipped the water propagation step. That’s the beauty of tradescantias – their roots can be quite fragile when water-propagated, so it’s often simpler to stick the cuttings directly into soil.

The speed at which these plants grow truly feeds my lack of patience. It even casts a disapproving shadow over my other plants, especially my anthuriums! While a tradescantia clipping can develop into a mature plant in a blink, my anthuriums might only be putting out a new leaf. In just two weeks after potting my ‘Quadricolor’ cuttings, I could already see significant new growth and those truly fascinating colors emerging. The mix of deep green, purple, silver, and cream is just mesmerising, especially when it gets enough light.

They’re not fussy about soil; I just use a standard multipurpose mix. And while I water them with all my other plants (I don’t discriminate!), feeding them isn’t even truly necessary. They’re just that easy!