Tradescantia sillamontana – Lanous Spiderwort / White Velvet (سفید مخملی پودا)

 

Tradescantia sillamontana – Lanous Spiderwort / White Velvet (سفید مخملی پودا)

– Silvery woolly leaves and purple flowers, – Drought-tolerant & ornamental
– Ideal for hanging baskets or sunny borders

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🌿 Botanical Name: Tradescantia sillamontana (trad-es-KAN-tee-uh sil-uh-MON-tuh-nuh)
🌿 Family: Commelinaceae (kuh-mel-uh-NAY-see-ee)
🧊 Hardiness Zone (USA): 8–11
📏 Height: 8 to 18 inches; forms a dense, low clump or trailing mound

🍃 Foliage:
Striking silvery-white, fuzzy leaves arranged in a rosette pattern along creeping stems; soft to touch, like velvet. This lanous covering protects it from heat and water loss

🌸 Flowering Period (Lahore/Punjab):
May to September
Produces small but bright magenta or purple 3-petaled flowers that contrast beautifully against silvery foliage

🌼 Companion Plants:

• Portulaca grandiflora – for bold, low-growing blooms

• Sedum species – mix well in succulent beds

• Kalanchoe blossfeldiana – both love sun and dry soil

🏡 Garden Usage:
Perfect for rock gardens, sunny borders, succulent beds, hanging baskets, and terracotta pots
Also used as edging for xeriscape areas

🍈 Fruition: Inconspicuous fruit capsules; mostly grown for foliage and form rather than seeds

🌱 Soil:
Well-draining sandy or loamy soil; does not tolerate soggy roots
Amended cactus mix works well in pots

⚖️ pH Value: 6.0–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

💧 Water:
Low water needs – allow soil to dry between waterings
Overwatering causes root rot

🌡️ Temperature:
✅ Excellent for Lahore! Thrives in 30–40°C summer temperatures
Protect from cold winds below 5°C in winter

☀️ Location Preference (sun or shade): Full sun to light shade
Full sun enhances silver tone and flower output

🌾 Propagation:
Easily by stem cuttings—can root in water or directly in soil
Also divides naturally as it trails

🐛 Pesticides: Generally pest-free; may attract mealybugs indoors—wipe or use neem oil

🌻 Fertilizers:
Feed lightly with a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in growing season
Avoid high nitrogen—it reduces fuzziness/ blurrness.

🦋 Attractiveness to Wildlife:
Mildly attractive to bees and hoverflies during flowering

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💡 Lahore Growth Note:
In Lahore, Tradescantia sillamontana makes a striking foliage plant for sunlit balconies, pots, and rooftop gardens. It thrives with neglect, loves heat, and is an excellent choice for those wanting an unusual texture in dry spots.

🌼 May this White Velvet plant (سفید مخملی پودا) bring softness, contrast, and a tropical charm to your summer spaces in Lahore.