Tradescantia

I have Tradescantia fluminensis which grow wild in my yard. I have to mow it down all the time. It's impossible to get rid of this plant!

LOL! We all have something, right? I think a trad would be a lovely curse!

I have Tradescantia zebrina in a pot. I was going to put into the ground, as I heard it was more manageable; however, my friend a few miles away put into his back garden and it took over very quickly! Now, mine will just stay in a pot. LOL! :>)

I love the zebrina... is it the silver/green or silver/purple? Both are great favourites as houseplants here.

It's the purple/silver one.

beautiful stuff... its leaves look like liquid crystal in direct light. I especially like the silver-gray-green for that reason. Must get some for indoor pots this winter.

My plant has purple, silver and some green. Here's a pics form a few years ago. It's bigger now.

http://www.growsonyou.com/photo/slideshow/272049-tradescantia-zebrina-wandering-jew/tag/wandering

I may plant it in the front yard and see if the T. zebrina takes over the T. fluminensis. I guess if it takes over I can mow it back! LOL!

I have that problem (?) with aegopodium podagraria ( Bishop's Weed, or snow on the mountain)...it has a million names too... I think it's beautiful and it's strong as Hercules, will live in all soils and when it's happy it spreads! I got some years ago from a friend and just kept taking bits of it with me when I moved. Every place I've lived has had at least one area where nothing would grow except grass...(I've often ranted about how I dislike grass) and I'd put in a little plug of poda and off it would go. There are two forms, solid green leaves or variegated creamy-white and soft gray green... I find it easier to control than trad. would be because it spreads by stolons not segments. that's why grass is so invasive ..you cut it...it spreads. I learned to love good old 'poda... hope you can get to that point with your trads!

Yes, we all have our weeds plants. I just can't understand where T. flumenensis comes from. It just seems to appear from nowhere! lol! I never see the seeds. They must be pretty small.

When you want to propagate the Trad you take a cutting right? When you cut it with a lawn mower you are mega-propagating!... all those lovely little cuttings! I would recommend a spade and rake! Don't know how long seed stays viable in the soil...but you could be at this for a very long time! repeat after me: I love trad. flumenensis!