The Tradescantia Nanouk, also known as Fantasy Venice, is a vibrant and eye-catching plant with multicolored leaves that range from pink to purple and green.
The Nanouk is a relatively easy-care plant, making it suitable for both beginner and experienced plant enthusiasts.
To keep your Tradescantia thriving, provide bright, indirect light, water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and plant in a well-draining potting mix.
Tradescantia Nanouk Plant
Botanical name: Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Nanouk’. Common names: Tradescantia Nanouk, Spiderwort Nanouk, Fantasy Venice.
There are about 70 different Tradescantia varieties, native to the Americas from southern Canada down to South America.
Unlike the other Tradescantia cultivars, the Nanouk isn’t native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas. Instead, the Tradescantia Nanouk was cultivated in The Netherlands and patented in 2017 for its light purple-pink, green, grey-green colored variegated leaves (similar but not identical to the Tradescantia tricolor).
Overall, the Tradescantia nanouk is the easiest Tradescantia to care for. Especially developed to have “good interiorscape performance“. In other words, easy to care for indoors and able to survive in your home.
Nanouk has shorter, thicker stems and stronger, less delicate leaves than most other Tradescantia types.
Want to buy a Tradescantia Nanouk plant? It is somewhat rare and might be hard to find locally, but you can purchase it on Amazon!
Need a plant care refresher? Check out the Beginners Guide to Basic Houseplant Care.
Light Requirements
Give your indoor Tradescantia Nanouk plenty of bright, indirect light.
Variegated plants require more and brighter light than regular green-leaved plants. White or pink leaves need more light to be able to photosynthesize.
When the Nanouk is grown in too little light, colors and variegation may fade. The leaves may even completely revert to green. Growth will slow down, and the plant can get leggy reaching toward the light.
Consider getting a LED grow light if you can not give your plant enough natural light.
Avoid too much direct sunlight. Dry, brown spots on the delicate leaves can be a sign of sunburn. Move your plant away from the window, or filter the light with a sheer curtain.
Watering
Water your Tradescantia Nanouk regularly to keep the soil slightly damp. The soil should feel like a well-wrung-out sponge.
If the soil feels moist, don’t water but wait one or two days and check again. If the soil is dry, go ahead and water thoroughly to saturate all of the soil. Then allow the top layer of soil to dry out before watering again.
Overwatering can lead to yellow leaves and root rot, while underwatering can cause the leaves to wilt and droop. The leaves should feel firm and look healthy.
If in doubt, don’t water yet. An underwatered plant is easier to revive than an overwatered plant. If you are uncertain, you can use a moisture meter to help you out with when to water. And read up on the basics of watering your indoor plants.
Humidity
Most Tradescantia plant varieties need high humidity. The Nanouk is cultivated in a way to be able to grow in average household humidity levels.
However, it will do better if you raise the humidity. Place a small humidifier near your plant if the air is very dry in your home.
Dry, brown leaf tips often indicate that the humidity is too low.
Related reading: Common Tradescantia care problems.
Soil and Repotting
Transplant your Transcendia Nanouk in a pot one size up when roots have filled the pot, or when you see roots growing from the bottom of the pot.
Make sure the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain out of the bottom.
Even if your plant still has room to grow, you want to refresh the soil every two to three years in spring. The soil will have lost all its nutrients and will need to be replaced with fresh soil.
Need a repotting refresher? Get all the tips on how to repot your plants.
Tradescantia Nanouk Propagation
Propagating a Tradescantia Nanouk is an easy way to make more plants from the ones you already have.
BUT BE AWARE: As mentioned before, the Nanouk is a patented plant, and propagating patented plants is prohibited by U.S. law.
The patent document does not contain specific information about whether you are or are not allowed to propagate the plant for personal use.
However, as a general rule (not legal advice), the propagation of a patented plant without permission from the patent holder could be considered an infringement of the patent, even for personal use. This patent is set to expire in 2037.
If you do decide to propagate your Tradescantia Nanouk, using stem cuttings like you would propagating any Tradescantia is an easy way to do so. The cuttings can be rooted in water or soil.
Want to learn more about plant propagation? Read the complete guide explaining the 6 different ways to propagate all your plants.
Plant Pests
Tradescantia plants are not very prone to pests, but just like any indoor plant, they can occasionally be affected.
Watch out for mealy bugs, spider mites, and fungus gnats. Inspect your plant regularly for signs of bugs to catch a possible infestation before it becomes severe.
Learn more about common houseplant pests and what you can do to get rid of them.
Is the Tradescantia Nanouk Toxic to Cats?
Tradescantia plants are considered mildly poisonous when ingested. It may cause nausea, vomiting, and skin irritations.
Learn more about the risks of toxic houseplants around your pets (and find out which plants are non-toxic and safe!).