Tradescantia zebrina is a herbaceous perennial often grown as a houseplant. It has interesting variegated foliage striped green, white, and gray leaves with purple undersides. The leaves are ovate and clasp the stem at the base. Tiny three-petaled lavender-purple flowers appear infrequently indoors. Tolerates a wide range of growing conditions. Does best in filtered sun, average room temperatures and moist but well-drained soil. Reduce watering in the winter. Pinch back to encourage bushy growth. Plants can be pruned back hard every spring and can be taken outside on a protected patio in the summer. It is commonly grown in a hanging pot.