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Hairy Houseplants for Halloween

I got this houseplant at a supermarket, but it didn’t have a name on it. It has furry leaves which are soft, the soil gets dry every 4 days or so, and it’s growing really quickly! I would really appreciate help identifying it, and also advise on how to care for it. Thanks very much!

Hi,

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Silver gray, hairy Wandering Jew Plant, Tradescantia silla montana

Tradescantia silla montana
Hairy Wandering Jew Plant

It looks like a Trandescantia silla montana; other names for the plant are White Velvet, White Gossamer, Hairy Wandering Jew. Tradescantia sillamontana is almost as easy to grow as other members of the Tradescantia family like the Wandering Jew. Here are some care tips:

Light: This plant likes bright indirect lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light.. The better the light, the more flowers it produces. Direct sun burns the leaves.
Water: Water well and then allow the top 3/4 of the soil to dry out before watering the plant again.
fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.  : Feed monthly, when the plant is growing, with a water-soluble houseplant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Using a plant food high in nitrogen helps a Wandering Jew Plant produce more colorful leaves.
Temperature: Grows well in temperatures between 60-80 degrees.


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