I often get this question from customers, “What is the difference between the pink dragon and pink lilac albifloras?”
TRADESCANTIA ALBIFLORA ‘PINK DRAGON’
Photo taken on 7/16/21
Copyright © Czarina Nocon, Chic Planting
This question often comes up as the two plants has almost the same physical appearance. They do have some slight differences.
Both Tradescantia albiflora ‘Pink Dragon’ and ‘Pink Lilac’ have what is called ‘leaf pubescence’ in botany which means ‘whith hairy surface’. In the Albifloras, it is a soft short hair that is on the leaves of the plant.
TRADESCANTIA ALBIFLORA ‘PINK DRAGON’
Photo taken on 2/17/21
Copyright © Czarina Nocon, Chic Planting
TRADESCANTIA ALBIFLORA ‘PINK LILAC’
Photo taken on 2/17/21
Copyright © Czarina Nocon, Chic Planting
Other tradescantias with ‘leaf pubescence’ will feel furry like the Tradescantia Sillamontana (variegated and non-variegated kinds) while some will feel like felt or suede to touch such as the Tradescantia pallida ‘Pink Stripe’.
| Pink Dragon | Pink Lilac |
| • Hair on top and edges of leaves | • Hair on top and edges of leaves |
| • Has prickly feel to touch (from small hair present on leaves) on mature leaves on both top and bottom surface of the leaves. | • Has smooth leaves no matter the age of the leaves like my two other Albifloras (variegata and albovittata) in my collection. |
| • Mature and well develop plants, depending on light exposure develops noticeable pink coloration on leaves. | • Mature and well develop plants, depending on light exposure develops slight pink coloration on leaves. |
| • I have not seen them revert to all green + solid leaves. | • I have seen reverted green + solid leaves. |
| • Back of leaves of mature + established plant feels prickly. | •Back of leaves of mature + established plant feels smooth. |