Purple Maguey (Tradescantia spathacea) is one of the most versatile and easy to grow and maintain plants in the flora kingdom, and that fact alone makes it worthy of a place in your houseplant collection. It is also fantastic in vertical gardens thanks to its growth habit. Learn how to propagate, grow Maguey or Purple Rhoeo and its care.
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How to Propagate Purple Maguey
There are two ways to propagate Purple Maguey, by root division and by cuttings (stems).
Division
Remove the plant from the pot and, using a clean knife, make sections of the root ball so that each division has roots and leaves attached.
Once done, plant them in regular potting soil that drains well. Water it right away and leave it in a place where it receives sunlight but no direct light, once you see new leaves growing you can give it more sun and transplant it to your desired spot.
stem cuttings
Find a healthy plant and cut a sharp stem 10-15cm long. Remove the lower foliage and plant it in moistened potting soil.
Make sure it gets plenty of indirect light and keep the soil slightly moist at all times. Roots will form in 4-6 weeks.
You’ll know it’s properly rooted when you see new leaves starting to grow, in which case you can transplant it to a larger pot or garden soil.
Ideal conditions for growing purple maguey
Light
This plant is very tolerant and hardy. It’s not bothered by direct sun or low light, meaning you can have it anywhere.
However, it grows best in a location that receives bright, indirect light. And to get the best foliage colors, make sure it gets a few hours of direct morning or afternoon sun every day.
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The plant is not fussy about the growing medium and will not mind thriving in ordinary garden soil.
For best results, the growing medium should be well-drained, crumbly, and rich in organic matter. You can use the usual potting soil you use for other plants.
Temperature
Purple Maguey grows best in average to warmer temperature ranges throughout the year: 10-35°C.
It can also work well in lower temperatures, but does not appreciate when it is colder than 5 C.
Humidity
Again, the plant is not very demanding on humidity. On drier days, you can move it to the kitchen or bathroom, as these tend to be wetter than the rest of the house, or place a pebble tray filled with water under the pot.
Purple maguey treatment
Irrigation
It is one of those plants that does not like to be watered frequently.
Water only if the top of the soil is dry to the touch; To do this, insert a finger into the soil and feel the moisture. If it is dry, water it, otherwise wait a few days.
Also, avoid watering it from above; otherwise, water will accumulate in its center and may cause disease to the plant, water only at ground level.
Pass
The plant doesn’t need much feeding and will fend for itself if you backfilled the growing medium with compost or aged manure at the start of the growing season.
You can use a balanced liquid fertilizer to stimulate growth, diluted halfway, once every 8 to 12 weeks.
Cut
Purple Maguey does not need to be pruned, but you can cut overgrown, dead or damaged parts at any time to maintain your desired shape and size.
Plagues and diseases
The most common pests that could attack the plant are scale insects, spider mites, scale insects and aphids.
Consider washing the plant under running water or the leaves with a solution of 1 part dish soap, 1 part neem oil to 5 to 6 parts water.
It may be interesting to read: How to propagate, grow ZZ Plant and all its care
The plant could also have root rot issues if you keep it in a dark place and water it constantly. It can also cause leaf discoloration and stunted growth.
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