How to Grow and Care for a Bunny Belly Plant

The Bunny Belly Plant, known scientifically as Tradescantia chrysophylla, is a houseplant appreciated for its unique foliage. Its common name comes from the texture of its leaves, which are covered in fine, soft hairs that feel velvety. This plant features a trailing growth habit, with vines that cascade over the sides of containers. The small, green leaves sometimes have purple undersides, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets.

Bunny Belly Plant Care

This plant flourishes in bright, indirect sunlight, which supports vibrant leaf color. Place it near a window with a sheer curtain to provide this filtered light. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves, while insufficient light may cause the plant to become leggy and lose vibrancy.

Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. When you water, do so thoroughly until water exits the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. This practice prevents the soil from becoming waterlogged and leading to root rot.

A standard, well-draining potting mix is sufficient for Tradescantia chrysophylla. To improve drainage and aeration, you can amend the mix with components like perlite or sand, which ensures the roots are not sitting in excess moisture.

This plant is comfortable in room temperatures between 65 and 75°F (18 to 24°C). While it tolerates average home humidity, it will flourish with more moisture in the air. Misting or placing the plant near a humidifier can help keep its leaves healthy.

During the active growing seasons of spring and summer, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month. Dilute the fertilizer to half-strength to avoid burning the roots. As the plant’s growth slows in the fall and winter, reduce or stop fertilizing until spring returns.

Propagation Methods

New Bunny Belly Plants are easily created using stem cuttings. Select a healthy stem and make a cut just below a leaf node, which is the small bump on the stem where leaves emerge. Gently remove the lowest leaves from the cutting to expose the node, as roots will develop from this area.

The cutting can be rooted in either water or soil. To root in water, place the cutting in a jar of water, ensuring the exposed node is submerged. For soil propagation, insert the cutting into a pot of moist, well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist until roots have formed, which takes a few weeks.

Common Issues and Solutions

Legginess, where stems become long and sparse with leaves, is a result of the plant not receiving enough light. To solve this, move your plant to a location with brighter, indirect light and prune the elongated stems. Pruning will encourage the plant to grow back fuller.

Yellowing leaves are a signal of overwatering. The solution is to allow the soil to dry out more completely between waterings and to confirm that your pot has adequate drainage holes.

The Bunny Belly Plant can attract pests such as spider mites. Regularly inspect the leaves for them. If you spot any pests, you can wipe them off with a damp cloth or use an insecticidal soap for more persistent problems.