Two-sided colour
The upper surface reads as calm green, while curves and gaps let the purple reverse appear around the edges.
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Tradescantia sitara 9cm
Normal price
€3,50
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.
Tradescantiaspathacea‘Sitara’
Plant it once and it stays forever. Hardly something to take for granted 😏
- Commelinaceae
- Compact rosette
- Green upper surface
- Purple undersides
- ‘Sitara’ horticultural selection
Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ arranges its leaves in a tight radiating rosette with two completely different faces: clean green above and deep purple beneath. Every slight change of angle reveals the second colour and makes the compact crown feel more three-dimensional.
Successive leaves of Tradescantia spathacea ‘Sitara’ open around a compact central axis, allowing the crown to show older and newer stages of colour and form at once.
What makes it special
‘Sitara’ belongs to the compact Bantam horticultural line and stands out for its tight two-coloured rosette.
Radiating geometry
New leaves begin at the centre and move older leaves outwards, creating a clear concentric rhythm.
A small stable scale
The short rosette fits easily on a bright shelf and looks complete even before producing lateral offsets.
Why you’ll love it: it hides its strongest colour underneath and rewards a lower viewing angle with a clean purple outline.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
On a plant stand or broad side table where the rosette has room to open. A plain pot in cream, charcoal or deep green keeps attention on the foliage’s changing colours.
Plants that complement it
Choices with compatible light needs and contrasting textures keep the arrangement balanced.
- Cryptanthus bivittatus — a star-shaped rosette with related pink tones.
- Callisia repens — a warm small-leaved mass that fills the base.
- Pilea glauca — tiny grey-green leaves in a soft cascade.
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 container.
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
An accepted tropical species
Tradescantia spathacea is an accepted species in Commelinaceae, native from southern Mexico to Guatemala in a wet tropical biome.
The former name Rhoeo
The name Rhoeo discolor still occurs in horticulture but is treated as a synonym. The accepted placement is in the genus Tradescantia.
The horticultural ‘Sitara’
‘Sitara’ is recorded in cultivation as a compact Bantam Group selection and also occurs under the trade synonym ‘Tricolor’. No verified hybrid parentage has been published for this name.
From natural habitat to care: The species comes from a wet tropical biome, but a potted rosette needs air around its roots and light drying at the surface. Provide bright filtered light so compact growth does not loosen.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Scientific facts nobody asked for Botanical details for anyone curious about the plant behind the foliage
The rosette grows from the centre
The apical meristem produces new leaves inside, while older leaves move towards the edge and eventually age at the base.
Purple is rich in anthocyanins
Pigments on the lower surface absorb and reflect different wavelengths, creating the deep purple revealed as the leaf bends.
Flowers sit inside boats
Small white flowers appear within paired boat-like bracts, a feature behind one of the species' English common names.
Offsets broaden the cluster
Lateral buds at the base can create new rosettes. Over time, one unit becomes a small cluster without tip-pruning the centre.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about growth and the plant’s most common signals.
01 Is ‘Sitara’ the same as ‘Tricolor’?
‘Tricolor’ is used as a trade synonym of the horticultural ‘Sitara’. This product is sold under the name ‘Sitara’.
02 When does it need water?
When the upper third of the mix is dry and the pot feels lighter. Water evenly, drain completely and leave no water standing at the base.
03 Why is the colour fading?
Very low light reduces contrast, while harsh sun bleaches or burns tissue. Move it gradually to brighter filtered light and assess the new growth.
04 How do I keep it dense?
Tip-prune above a healthy node during active growth and root the cut ends. Even light around the pot limits one-sided stretching.
05 How do I take a cutting?
Cut a healthy section with two or more nodes, remove the lower leaves and place at least one node in water or an airy, lightly moist medium.
06 Is it safe for pets?
It is not intended for chewing. Sap may irritate sensitive skin and contact or ingestion can cause discomfort; keep it away from persistent pets.
📦 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.