Tradescantia Zebrina vs Tradescantia Nanouk
Zebrina is the fast purple-and-silver classic that roots from any cutting; Nanouk is stockier and pink but needs brighter light to keep that colour.
Tradescantia Zebrina needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Tradescantia Nanouk wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves. Tradescantia Zebrina originates in Mexico; Tradescantia Nanouk in Cultivar. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
What they share: both are toxic to cats and dogs, both are rated easy, both take moderate watering, both are happy in the same humidity and both stay small.
Choose
Tradescantia Zebrina if…
- ✓your spot is the dimmer of the two - it manages on medium indirect light
- ✓the look is what you are after: Stunning purple and silver striped leaves. Extremely fast growing.
Choose
Tradescantia Nanouk if…
- ✓you have a bright window to give it (bright indirect light)
- ✓the look is what you are after: Pink, white, and green striped leaves. Compact and very popular.
Tradescantia Zebrina vs Tradescantia Nanouk: side by side
| Attribute |
Tradescantia Zebrina
|
Tradescantia Nanouk
|
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Trailing | Trailing |
| Difficulty | easy | easy |
| Light | ●●●○○ 3/5 Medium indirect light |
●●●●○ 4/5 Bright indirect light |
| Water | ●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
●●●○○ 3/5 Moderate |
| Humidity | ●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
●●●○○ 3/5 Average |
| Pet safe | Toxic to cats and dogs | Toxic to cats and dogs |
| Mature size | Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
Small 15-30 cm (6-12 in) |
| Growth rate | Fast | Fast |
| Air purifying | No | No |
| Native to | Mexico | Cultivar |
Key differences between Tradescantia Zebrina and Tradescantia Nanouk
Tradescantia Zebrina copes with less light
Tradescantia Zebrina needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Tradescantia Nanouk wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
They come from different habitats
Tradescantia Zebrina originates in Mexico; Tradescantia Nanouk in Cultivar. Matching the original habitat is the quickest way to guess what each one wants indoors.
How to tell Tradescantia Zebrina and Tradescantia Nanouk apart
Zebrina is the purple-and-silver striped classic -- fast, cheap and easy to root from a cutting. Nanouk is a stockier pink-and-green cultivar with thicker leaves that holds its shape better on a shelf and needs brighter light to keep the pink.
Care at a glance
Tradescantia Zebrina
Wandering Jew, Inch Plant, Silver Inch Plant
Stunning purple and silver striped leaves. Extremely fast growing.
Care in one line: Medium to bright light for color, pinch to keep bushy.
Full Tradescantia Zebrina care guide →
Tradescantia Nanouk
Fantasy Venice, Pink Wandering Jew
Pink, white, and green striped leaves. Compact and very popular.
Care in one line: Bright indirect light for pink color, keep moist.
Full Tradescantia Nanouk care guide →Tradescantia Zebrina vs Tradescantia Nanouk: common questions
What is the difference between Tradescantia Zebrina and Tradescantia Nanouk? +
Zebrina is the purple-and-silver striped classic -- fast, cheap and easy to root from a cutting. Nanouk is a stockier pink-and-green cultivar with thicker leaves that holds its shape better on a shelf and needs brighter light to keep the pink. On care, tradescantia Zebrina needs medium indirect light (3/5) - near a bright window, out of direct sun. Tradescantia Nanouk wants bright indirect light (4/5), beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which is easier to care for, Tradescantia Zebrina or Tradescantia Nanouk? +
Neither - both are rated easy. The practical difference is tradescantia zebrina copes with less light.
Is Tradescantia Zebrina or Tradescantia Nanouk safe for cats and dogs? +
Neither. Tradescantia Zebrina is toxic to cats and dogs and Tradescantia Nanouk is toxic to cats and dogs. Both need a spot pets cannot reach.
Which needs less light, Tradescantia Zebrina or Tradescantia Nanouk? +
Tradescantia Zebrina. It scores 3/5 for light and near a bright window, out of direct sun. Tradescantia Nanouk scores 4/5 and beside a bright window, no midday sun on the leaves.
Which needs more water, Tradescantia Zebrina or Tradescantia Nanouk? +
Neither - both score 3/5. For each one, water when the top 2-3 cm is dry, roughly weekly.
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