Form
Fleshy stems spread and trail, forming a dense curtain of repeating pointed blades.
4
Tradescantia 'silver sicilian' 10.5cm
Normal price
€8,00
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Tradescantiazebrina‘Silver Sicilian’
Place it on a shelf and it will climb down to meet you 📚
- Metallic bands
- Purple undersides
- Fast trailing growth
- Graphic pattern
- Collectable selection
Tradescantia zebrina ‘Silver Sicilian’ looks as though it has been painted in metallic ink: silver bands run through deep green while purple undersides appear at every curve of the stems. Its lively trail quickly creates a full graphic display, turning a high shelf or hanging position into an eye-catching feature whose colour shifts as it is viewed from different angles.
It is a distinctive choice for anyone drawn to bold pattern but wanting a light, flowing silhouette. On its own it reads like living jewellery; beside clean green foliage or matte ceramic finishes, its cool silver highlights and warm purple tones become even more striking.
What makes it special
Every stem combines crisp geometry, metallic sheen and natural movement.
Colour
Green, silver and purple alternate in bands, with the lower surface adding warm contrast.
Texture
The slightly fleshy smooth surface reflects light and makes the pattern appear almost three-dimensional.
Why you’ll love it: it quickly fills the view with silver light and purple depth while retaining an airy sense of movement.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
On a high shelf or in a hanging pot where the stems can fall freely and receive even light. A small turn every few weeks keeps the silhouette balanced.
Plants that complement it
Choices with compatible light needs and contrasting textures keep the arrangement balanced.
- Pilea glauca — tiny grey-green foliage in a gentle trail.
- Peperomia caperata — dark rippled leaves in a compact rosette.
- Hoya linearis — a fine green curtain beside the silver bands.
Care at a glance
Light
Plentiful bright, filtered light for clear colour and compact nodes. Protect it from harsh midday sun.
Water
When the upper third of the mix is dry. Water evenly, drain completely and do not keep the crown permanently wet.
Atmosphere
Average humidity, gentle airflow and roughly 18–27°C. Avoid cold draughts and prolonged drought.
Pets
The sap may irritate sensitive skin and chewing is not recommended. Keep it away from persistent pets.
Chosen for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed care Complete care guide Light, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and colour
Provide bright diffused light to keep pink, purple or dark areas clear. Very low intensity fades contrast, while harsh sun leaves dry scorch marks.
Watering around nodes
Water the root zone rather than repeatedly wetting the dense leaf bases. Let the upper portion dry between waterings without pushing the roots into prolonged wilt.
Tip pruning
Cut above a healthy node during active growth to activate lateral buds. Remove a small part of the crown at a time and use healthy sections as cuttings.
Humidity and foliage
Normal household humidity is enough when the root zone is watered consistently. Avoid constant misting on dense foliage and provide gentle air movement.
An airy mix
Use a mix that holds some even moisture but quickly restores air to the roots. Repot one size up when roots have genuinely filled the pot.
Light, regular feeding
During active growth follow the label rate of the recommended fertiliser. Do not try to correct low light or a troubled root zone by adding more feed.
Botanical identity Origin of the cultivar The species’ range and the history of the cultivated selection
Natural range
The species Tradescantia zebrina is native from Mexico to Colombia. ‘Silver Sicilian’ is a cultivated selection and has no separate wild range.
Habitat
In the wild the species spreads through warm habitats, rooting at nodes where stems contact moist organic matter or rocky surfaces.
Botanical identity
The name ‘Silver Sicilian’ is used in horticulture for this strongly silvered selection of Tradescantia zebrina. A specific originator is not publicly documented.
From natural habitat to care: Its ability to root at the nodes explains why it forms a dense crown quickly and renews readily from healthy stem sections.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Scientific facts nobody asked for Botanical details for anyone curious about the plant behind the foliage
The silver is an optical effect
Air spaces and tissue structure beneath the epidermis reflect more light, producing a metallic band without silver pigment.
Purple comes from anthocyanins
Anthocyanins in the lower surface absorb selected wavelengths and create the deep violet colour.
Nodes can produce roots
Each mature node carries meristematic tissue that can activate a new root and shoot under suitable conditions.
It is a monocot
As a member of Commelinaceae it shows parallel venation and floral parts typically arranged in threes.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about growth and the plant’s most common signals.
01 Why is new growth greener?
This is usually linked to lower light or naturally young foliage. Increase brightness gradually and assess colour after the leaves mature.
02 Why do older stems dry at the base?
Long stems can thin near the base with age. Refresh the crown through clean pruning and root healthy tips near the base.
03 What do soft yellowing leaves mean?
They often indicate excess moisture or poorly oxygenated roots. Pause watering, check drainage and remove only tissue that has actually rotted.
04 How is it kept dense?
Shorten long stems just above a node and place healthy cuttings back around the base. Regular renewal creates more growing tips.
05 Why are the leaves becoming smaller?
Very low light, an exhausted long stem or limited resources can reduce leaf size. Improve the position gradually and renew the growing tips.
06 Is it safe for pets?
Sap can irritate sensitive skin and chewing may cause oral or digestive upset. Keep it away from persistent pets.
Shop the look
Lovely apart. Irresistible together.
Choose your pairing
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Your selected lookPlant + pot €13,50 EUR
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Your selected lookPlant + pot €18,00 EUR
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Your selected lookPlant + pot €15,00 EUR
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Your selected lookPlant + pot €14,70 EUR
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.