Tradescantia. These little plants have an unstoppable will to live. I discovered that a few years ago when a sprig that broke off a hanging basket fell onto some indifferent dirt and, four days later, had rooted where it fell instead of shriveling up. This life force is an inspiration at the current moment. Tradescantia flourishes at such a surprising rate that I decided to plant a single sprig, track its propagation, and plant cuttings every day in January 2025. Each pot was decorated: some were collaged or painted in acrylic by my older daughter and her friend, and for some, I felted hand-knitted wool cozies for the pots.

Here was the single sprig I planted on May 19, 2024.

By February 3, 2025, here’s how Sprig had grown.

For every day in January 2025, I decorated at least one pot and planted it with tradescantia or philodendron cuttings. In those last dread-filled days leading up to the U.S. presidential inauguration, it felt more necessary than ever to be visible and proud. Immediately upon taking office, the new administration targeted LBGTQ+ people’s rights, especially trans folks. In the dark, cold January, it helped to knit something soft and warm and cozy. Malabrigo Merino Worsted makes for the softest machine-felting, with vivid colors. It was good yarn for pride flag colors such as the blue-pink-white-pink-blue of trans pride or the rainbow of gay pride.

Thrive, little plants. Thrive.

I took the plants to the annual Fun-A-Day community art show.

People were welcome to take a plant or two, and if they wanted, they could Venmo me a donation that I then sent to Trans Lifeline, along with a donation of my own. Demand for Trans Lifeline’s services has skyrocketed since the U.S. election in November 2024.

Now I know how rapidly tradescantia propagates. All the plants have gone to new homes except for these wee offshoots of Sprig, so I can start again.