How to Care for a Bridal Veil Plant
The bridal veil plant (Gibasis geniculata) is a popular houseplant with long, cascading stems and small white blooms that appear from spring until fall. Bridal veil requires very little light in order to thrive and prefers soil that is slightly moist. This plant is attractive when planted in a hanging pot, but will do well in any container that has sufficient drainage. The bridal veil plant can also be grown outdoors as a perennial in USDA hardiness zone 9b and above.
Fill a hanging basket or other container 3/4 of the way with good quality potting soil. Make sure that the container you choose has several drainage holes in the bottom, as the bridal veil plant will not tolerate overly moist conditions.
Place the bridal veil plant into the soil at the same depth as it was originally growing and water until the soil feels moist, but not soggy. Move the container to a location that receives muted sunlight.
- The bridal veil plant (Gibasis geniculata) is a popular houseplant with long, cascading stems and small white blooms that appear from spring until fall.
- Place the bridal veil plant into the soil at the same depth as it was originally growing and water until the soil feels moist, but not soggy.
Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Soak the plant well with warm water rather than adding small amounts of moisture often.
Fertilize once each week with a water-soluble fertilizer mixed according to package instructions.
Prune the stems back when they start to get too long for available space. This will also encourage fuller growth.
Transplant to a larger pot when the bridal veil plant has filled its container. It is best to do this in winter or early spring.
- Water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Soak the plant well with warm water rather than adding small amounts of moisture often.
Water A Bridal Veil Plant?
Also known as Tahitian bridal veil and dotted bridal veil, the bridal veil plant has been sold under a variety of genus and species names. It is sometimes listed as Tradescantia multiflora or Tripogandra multiflora. There is also a very similar species, Gibasis geniculata, with which pellucida is often confused. How often you water your bridal veil will depend on the plant's density and the type of soil nourishing it. A cascade of flower-dotted greenery is usually created by grouping ten or so of the easily-rooted cuttings close together in an 8-inch hanging basket, from which they can grow long enough to dangle 30 inches or so. Because it is somewhat vulnerable to root rot, give a specimen in a basket, light potting soil or a cactus potting mix. If planting bridal veil in the ground instead, choose a partially shaded location with fluffy or sandy loam. Lots of direct sunlight may burn your bridal veil — and dry it out quickly. Wait until the surface of that soil feels dry to the touch before you water the plant again, but don’t allow the deeper soil to become parched.
- Also known as Tahitian bridal veil and dotted bridal veil, the bridal veil plant has been sold under a variety of genus and species names.
- A cascade of flower-dotted greenery is usually created by grouping ten or so of the easily-rooted cuttings close together in an 8-inch hanging basket, from which they can grow long enough to dangle 30 inches or so.
Tip
The bridal veil plant will grow to fill the size of the container it is planted in.
Place a layer of small pebbles in the drainage tray to increase humidity.
Warning
Do not add too much water, as this plant cannot survive overly moist conditions.
Related Articles
References
- Texas Agrilife Extension: Tahitian Bridal Veil
- Growing Guides: Tahitian Bridal Veil
- Botany Illustrated; Janice Glimn-Lacy and Peter B. Kaufman
- A Guide to Plants in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica; Susan Iremonger
- Uncle John’s Home and Garden: Bridal Veil
- Plants to Grow: Family: Commelinaceae
- Haar’s Nursery: Bridal Veil
- Hort Technology: Nomenclature of Tahitian Bridal Veil
Tips
- The bridal veil plant will grow to fill the size of the container it is planted in.
- Place a layer of small pebbles in the drainage tray to increase humidity.
Warnings
- Do not add too much water, as this plant cannot survive overly moist conditions.
