Candy-striped leaves in bubblegum pink, lilac, cream and green make 'Nanouk' one of the most cheerful plants you can own. Bushier and chunkier than most Tradescantias, it grows upwards before gently trailing.

Also known as: Fantasy Venice, Inch Plant, Spiderwort, Nanouk

Origins & folklore: The wild species, Tradescantia fluminensis, comes from the forests of south-eastern Brazil and Argentina – fluminensis means 'of the river', a nod to Rio de Janeiro. 'Nanouk' itself is a modern variety, bred in the Netherlands for its vivid colour and compact, sturdy habit and patented in 2018.

The genus was named by Linnaeus in honour of John Tradescant the Elder and his son John the Younger, 17th-century plant hunters and gardeners to King Charles I. Their famous collection of curiosities, known as 'The Ark', later became the founding collection of Oxford's Ashmolean Museum. Tradescantias root so easily from cuttings that they have long been passed between friends and neighbours.

Size: Delivered in a 7cm plastic nursery pot.

Care guide
•    Light: Bright, indirect light keeps the pink stripes vivid. Too much direct sun can scorch the leaves; too little and the colour fades.
•    Watering: Water when the top 2–3cm of compost feels dry. Water at the base or from below to keep the leaves dry, and avoid overwatering.
•    Humidity & temperature: Average household humidity is fine; an occasional misting helps if the air is very dry. Happiest between 15–24°C, away from cold draughts.
•    Feeding: A half-strength balanced houseplant feed once a month in spring and summer.
•    Good to know: Pinch back the tips to keep it bushy, and remove any plain green shoots. Cuttings root in days in a glass of water – perfect for sharing.

Toxicity: Mildly toxic. The sap can irritate the skin of people and pets, and eating the leaves may cause mouth irritation or an upset stomach in cats and dogs. Keep out of reach of pets, and wear gloves when pruning if you have sensitive skin.