Tradescantia (Continental Group) ‘Unicorn’ is a hybrid cultivar known for its stable creamy pink and silvery-green variegated leaves, sometimes displaying pale yellow streaks. It belongs to a group of white-flowered Tradescantia hybrids of unknown origin, often mislabelled as Tradescantia fluminensis or its synonym T. albiflora. The plant grows with a trailing or creeping habit, rooting readily along the stem, and can be pruned to maintain compact growth indoors.
Native to:
While not a naturally occurring species, ‘Unicorn’ likely descends from multiple species within the Austrotradescantia subgenus, which includes species native to southeastern South America, particularly Brazil and Argentina. It is adapted to forest understories, with growth habits suited to filtered light and consistent moisture.
Water:
Water when the top third of the pot has dried out. Maintain evenly moist but not saturated soil during active growth. Avoid letting the plant sit in water, and reduce watering frequency in winter.
Light:
Provide bright indirect or filtered light. Prolonged direct sunlight can scorch the variegated foliage, while low light can lead to fading of the pink and cream tones and leggier growth.
Humidity:
Tolerant of average indoor humidity, but moderate to high humidity will help maintain leaf vibrancy. Occasional misting or proximity to other plants can improve local humidity levels.
Temperature:
Best kept in temperatures between 18 °C and 24 °C. Avoid exposure to temperatures below 15 °C, and protect from cold drafts and rapid fluctuations.