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Wandering Jew Plants Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Tradescantia zebrina”

It might surprise you to learn that “the wandering Jew” isn’t a single plant, its name used to describe a collection of plants in the Tradescantia genus.

Many countries around the world view the wandering Jew as an invasive species. Therefore, you won’t find many of them as regular additions to gardens . However, the vine makes for an excellent indoor plant .

Table of Contents

Quick Facts

Wandering jew plant varieties.

The wandering Jew refers to three different plants in the Tradescantia genus. The three varieties are the zebrina, fluminensis, and the pallida.

Tradescantia Zebrina

The zebrina is the most common of the three species, and it features dark-green foliage that contrasts against the brilliant-white three-petal flowers the plant produces.

As you can imagine, the plant also gets part of its name from the zebra-like foliage. The center of the leaf id has a creamy-white color, and the outer trimming of the leaves has a silver lining.

Tradescantia Fluminensis

This wandering Jew species features white flowers, and it’s a trendy indoor plant around the world. The species originates from the southeastern region of Brazil. It’s an evergreen perennial plant that flowers all-year-round and lasts for many years if the owner takes care of it correctly.

The oval-shaped foliage of the Fluminensis is green in color and has a glossy look. The leaves attach to fleshy stems, and the stem nodes quickly put roots down into the soil, allowing for the rapid spread and growth of the plant in ideal growing conditions.

When the plant flowers , it produces a set of flowers with three white petals. The flowers don’t bear any seeds, and they might also emerge in clusters. There are various sub-species of this plant as well, and some types, such as variegate, feature different leaf colors, such as yellow or cream streaks in the leaves.

The plant does best in USDA zones 9 to 12, as it loves the additional humidity in these regions as well. The wandering Jew doesn’t do well in colder climates, so stick to planting in the southern states.

The wandering Jew also prefers full sunlight during the day, and you’ll need to feed it a reasonable amount of water throughout the week. The plant doesn’t enjoy being dry for long periods.

Tradescantia Pallida

This variety originates in Mexico, and it’s the most attractive of the three Tradescantia genus. This wandering Jew produces long, pointy leaves that can reach lengths of 7-inches. The leaf will eventually turn a purple color, but the tips might remain red or green during the color transition.

There are visible segmentations on the stem of this wandering Jew, and it’s for this reason that many countries classify this plant as invasive.

The segments break easily, but they root readily, evolving into two plants with little care. Fortunately, for fans of the plant, it also makes it easy to grow the plants for cuttings as well.

Tradescantia pallida don’t like the cold, and it will die back in colder environments in the Northern states, especially if it grows outside. This wandering Jew produces small flowers that bloom in colors of pink, lavender, and white. The flowers feature three petals, and while they aren’t show-stopping, then do add a beautiful aesthetic to the plant.

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Natural Air Cleaners

One of the reasons why the wandering Jew is such a popular house plant is its natural air-cleaning properties. The wandering Jew is an excellent “air scrubber,” and it removes bacteria and VOCs from the air inside your home, exchanging it for fresh air that enhances your home.

Some research also shows that the wandering Jew can assist in soil remediation, as well. The plant can remove heavy metals from the soil, helping restore the root health of other plants in the same flowerbed or pot.

Caring for Your Wandering Jew Plant

All varieties of the wandering Jew are easy to care for, provided that you grow them in the right climate and conditions. As long as the plant receives regular watering and pruning, it will thrive, and you’ll also manage to control the growth as well.

If you plant in a sunny spot in your home, then you can expect your tradescantia to last for many seasons. It’s also important to note that the plant might not flower it in its first season. However, by the third year, you should see plenty of flowers that emerge in the summer months.

As mentioned, the wandering Jew prefers sunny planting locations. The plant prefers later afternoon sun to morning sun, but it does well in any sunny area around the home. The more light you give the plant, the more flowers it produces in the flowering season.

If your wandering Jew does not get sufficient sunlight, you’ll notice that the color of the leaves starts to fade. Move the plant to a sunny spot, and it should recover in less than a week.

The wandering Jew enjoys a balanced moisture level in its soil . Don’t let the earth get too dry, as it might cause burning in the tips of the leaves. Likewise, the wandering Jew does not enjoy excessively wet soil either. The plant is susceptible to forming root rot if you “keep its feet wet.”

To check if it’s time to water your wandering Jew, push your finger about 1-inch into the soil. If it feels dry, then give your plant some water.

You must ensure you use a rich, loamy soil that drains well when planting your wandering Jew. When planting in a pot, make sure you add a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot to enhance drainage. Add perlite to the soil to assist with drainage as well.

You can get away with using a standard potting mix when planting indoors , and other soil enhancements we recommend you add are the following.

• Coarse sand and perlite for drainage
• Humus or peat
• A light dusting of lime
• A few handfuls of rich organic compost

You want the soil to retain water but still allow optimal drainage.

During the growing season, fertilize your wandering Jew plant using a liquid-based fertilizer product. Make sure that you dilute the fertilizer to 50-percent strength.

Strong concentrations can result in burning in the tips of the leaves of the plant. You can also add a granular slow-release fertilizer to the soil once a year at the start of spring.

The wandering Jew grows quickly, and it might take over its pot in one or two seasons, depending on the size of the container. Therefore, you’ll need to pull up the plant and divide it from year-to-year, depending on its growth rate.

If you choose to re-pot your plant, make sure you use a pot that’s at least 50-percent larger than the old one. Line the pot with potting soil and a few handfuls of rich organic compost. Dig around the edges of the existing container to loosen the root ball. After loosening, pull the base of the plant to release it from the pot.

Move the plant to its new pot, and then fill with potting mix to cover the roots — Pat down the soil, and then water lightly.

Wandering Jew plants require regular pruning . The plant grows quickly, and if you don’t prune, then it can overtake the pot fast. Pruning also helps the stem, from getting “leggy,” meaning that the plant starts to look bare at the base. Pruning keeps the plant healthy and growing at an optimal rate.

All; you need to do is prune back any stems and pinch the stem tips. The wandering Jew will then send out two new shoots from the pinched top, helping your plant spread out into a bush-like appearance.

Propagation

The wandering Jew is easy to propagate . This plant grows quickly in a variety of conditions, which is one of the reasons why most countries list it as invasive. You can propagate your cuttings after your pruning session, without much effort.

Remove all of the leaves but the top set after pruning the stem. Place the cutting in another smaller pot with moist potting soil . Leave the container in the sun, and you should find that the cutting roots in a month.

Being an indoor plant , the wandering Jew does not get much attention from pests. However, spider mites can be a problem for your plant if you don’t take care of it and watch for the presence of pests.

Spider mites are tiny spider-like bugs that form a web around the inside of the leaves of the plant. If left unmanaged and untreated, they might start to cause yellow spots in the foliage. The wandering Jew might also fail to flower in the summer months as well.

Over-watering your wandering Jew plant can result in the onset of diseases like root rot. Ensure that you have a well-draining soil mix before planting your wandering Jew. Provided that you do everything you can to ensure your soil drains well, you should never have a problem with root rot in your wandering Jew plant.

Wandering Jew Plants FAQS

What is the best way to grow a wandering jew plant.

The best way to grow a Wandering Jew plant involves placing it in a location that gets plenty of sunlight, preferably late afternoon sun. You should use well-draining, loamy soil to plant it, and ensure a balanced moisture level by watering it regularly but not excessively. The plant also appreciates humidity and occasional fertilizing with a liquid-based fertilizer diluted to 50% strength during the growing season. Pruning should be done regularly to manage its growth.

Is Wandering Jew easy to grow?

A: Yes, Wandering Jew plants are generally easy to grow. They adapt well to various conditions and are fast-growing. They can be propagated easily from cuttings and require minimal maintenance beyond regular watering, pruning, and an occasional application of fertilizer. However, they do not tolerate cold climates very well.

Does wandering Jew like full sun or shade?

Wandering Jew plants prefer locations with full sunlight. They can tolerate some shade but too much shade can cause the color of the leaves to fade. More sunlight exposure generally leads to more flowers during the flowering season.

How often do you water Wandering Jew?

Wandering Jew plants should be watered regularly to maintain a balanced moisture level in the soil. However, the soil should not be allowed to become too dry or too wet. Overwatering can lead to root rot. A good way to check if it’s time to water is to push your finger about 1-inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water the plant.

Is Tradescantia Zebrina easy to grow?

Yes, Tradescantia Zebrina, a variety of Wandering Jew, is easy to grow. It requires similar care to other Wandering Jew varieties and is known for its adaptability and quick growth.

Does Tradescantia Zebrina need full sun?

Tradescantia Zebrina does best in a location with full sunlight. While it can tolerate some shade, insufficient sunlight can cause the leaves to lose their vibrant color. Like other Wandering Jew plants, the more light it gets, the more flowers it produces during its flowering season.

Hollie is a life-long gardener, having started helping her Dad work on their yard when she was just 5. Since then she has gone on to develop a passion for growing vegetables & fruit in her garden. She has an affinity with nature and loves to share her knowledge gained over a lifetime with readers online. Hollie has written for a number of publications and is now the resident garden blogger here at GardenBeast. Contact her at [email protected] or follow on twitter https://twitter.com/greenholliec

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under the photo “easy to propagate”, that is not a wandering jew-its a peperomia “rosso!”

My wandering jew plants leafs are getting dried. Why is that?

It’s not getting enough humidity

Could you elaborate on “rich organic compost”? What should it be made of, exactly? Can I use compost accelerator in the soil mix?

Worm castings are great, or worm tea, egg shell tea is another.

What month does the jew break ground to start growing?

All depends on your specific areas weather pattern and seasons.

Do NOT BUY ANY OF THIS SPECIES if you have a dog because dogs are very allergic to these plants & come out in bad rashes if they wander through them!

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How To Grow Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia zebrina) In Your Home or Garden

Tradescantia zebrina , commonly referred to as Wandering Jew or Silver Inch Plant, is a perennial plant native to Mexico and Central America.

It's prized for its striking, lance-shaped leaves with zebra-like patterns in shades of purple, silver, and green. This plant typically grows to a height of six to nine inches (15 to 23 cm), and spreads up to six feet (180 cm) through cascading vines.

Gardeners appreciate Tradescantia plants for their vibrant foliage, trailing growth habit, and adaptability.

It's an ideal choice for hanging baskets, indoor gardening, or as ground cover in suitable outdoor zones. It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and RHS zones H1C to H1B.

While it can spread rapidly if not controlled, it's generally not invasive indoors.

How to grow Tradescantia zebrina in the Garden

Silver Inch Plant prefers a location with bright, indirect light, but can tolerate lower light conditions. It does well in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.

You can plant Tradescantia zebrina at any time, although spring is generally best.

Propagation is straightforward and can be done through stem cuttings placed directly in soil or water.

Watering should be moderate, allowing the top layer of the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering and root rot. It appreciates higher humidity levels, so consider placing it on a pebble tray or misting it regularly if growing indoors.

While Tradescantia zebrina is relatively pest-resistant, it can occasionally attract spider mites, especially in dry indoor environments. Regular checks and maintaining good humidity can help keep your plant healthy.

With its dramatic, striped foliage and easy-care nature, this plant can make a fantastic addition to either your indoor or outdoor plant collection.

How to grow Tradescantia zebrina as a Houseplant

Tradescantia zebrina , or Wandering Jew / Silver Inch Plant, is a vibrant and easy-to-grow houseplant. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Be aware that less light may lead to less colorful leaves.

For the best growth, maintain the room temperature between 60°F (15°C) and 75°F (24°C).

This plant prefers well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Watering should be moderate – allow the top layer of the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid overwatering and root rot.

This plant appreciates higher humidity levels, which you can achieve by placing it on a pebble tray filled with water or by regular misting.

Propagation of Tradescantia zebrina is straightforward. Simply cut a stem below a leaf node and place it directly in soil or water. Roots will form from the node, and a new plant will begin to grow.

While generally pest-resistant, Tit can attract spider mites in dry indoor environments. Regular checks and maintaining good humidity can help keep your plant healthy.

With the right care, your Wandering Jew plant should thrive and bring a splash of color to your home.

Quick Tradescantia zebrina Growing and Care Guide

Scientific Name : Tradescantia zebrina

Common Name(s) : Wandering Jew, Silver Inch Plant

Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness) : USDA Zones: 9-11 RHS Hardiness Rating: H1c (10-15°C, heated glasshouse – warm temperate)

Best Used For / Garden Location :

Plant Details

Life Cycle / Plant Type : Evergreen perennial

Plant Height : 6-9 inches (15-22.5 centimeters)

Plant Spread : 1-1.5 feet (30-45 centimeters)

Blooms : Summer

Flower Details : Small, purple-pink, three-petaled flowers

Leaf Foliage : Green and silver striped leaves with purple undersides

Fruit : N/A

Growing Conditions and Location

Best Light Conditions : Bright indirect light

Suitable Soil Types : Moist, well-drained soil

Sowing / planting : Plant young plants in spring.

Germination time : N/A, propagated from cuttings.

Propagation : By stem cuttings anytime.

Plant Care : Keep soil consistently moist.

Growing in pots and containers : Suitable for containers and hanging baskets.

Growing as a House plant : Very popular as a houseplant due to its ease of care and colorful foliage.

Further Information

Miscellaneous : Can be invasive in tropical climates.

Pests and diseases : Watch for aphids, scale, and spider mites.

Common Cultivars / Varieties : No specific cultivars.

Family : Commelinaceae, the Spiderwort family.

Native : Mexico and Central America.

References and Further Reading : Gardenia – Wandering Jew ; Wisconsin Horticulture ; NC State Extension – Inch Plant

Common Questions

Does tradescantia zebrina make a good garden or landscaping plant.

Tradescantia zebrina can make a good garden plant in warm climates. Elsewhere it does best as a houseplant. Its trailing habit and vibrant, striped foliage make it attractive for hanging baskets.

Is Tradescantia zebrina a fragrant plant?

No, Wandering Jew does not have a strong fragrance. Its main appeal is in its vibrant foliage, and its easy-care nature.

What is the perfect location to grow Silver Inch Plant?

Silver Inch Plant thrives in a location with bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. It prefers a humid environment and requires regular watering.

Is Tradescantia zebrina invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

Tradescantia zebrina is considered invasive in some parts of the southern USA, including Florida and Louisiana, where it can aggressively spread and readily crowd out native plants.

How do I remove Tradescantia zebrina from my garden?

To remove Tradescantia zebrina , simply pull up all parts of the plant and dispose of it securely. Monitor the area closely for any regrowth, as it can easily reestablish from small fragments.

The Wandering Jew or Silver Inch Plant is a trailing houseplant with purple and silver-striped leaves. Plant in well-draining soil in bright, indirect light. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this guide on how to grow  Tradescantia zebrin . You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Mimosa pudica , Setcreasea , and Dracaena plants in the garden.

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How to Grow and Care for Tradescantia Zebrina (Wandering Jew)

Tradescantia Zebrina is one of the most popular house plants that can grace the inside of a home. This trailing evergreen is well-loved for its stunning green and purple and silver stripes on the leaves and its fast viney growth. It looks beautiful in a hanging pot or flowing down a bookcase.

Tradescantia Zebrina does well if the soil is allowed to dry a little between waterings. Remember to fertilize once a month during the growing season. This plant loves bright filtered light without any direct sunlight as it risks burning the leaves. It thrives in slightly humid environments but always make sure to protect it by keeping it away from heating vents and air draughts.

This plant is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit. This is not surprising, as the varietal is not only a feast for the eyes, but it is fast-growing and easy to care for. The species is native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala and makes a gorgeous ground cover when grown outside in warm climates.

Tradescantia Zebrina can be a mouthful to pronounce. So it not surprising that the varietal has acquired many nicknames over the years. This bold, striking plant is also known as:

But most people call it by the shortened name of Zebrina .

Wandering Jew has also been a very popular nickname over years. However, that name has recently become politically charged. Many people have no issue with the use of this common name as they interpret it as a reference to the Jewish people wandering in the desert. But some feel that the name originates from a European folk story about a mythical Jew who mocked Jesus and was condemned to wander the earth. Recently, there has been a concerted effort to turn the Wandering Jew nickname into Wandering Dude. We like the name Zebrina and will refer to it herein as such.

Zebrina is not cold-weather hardy. If your climate reaches low temperatures in the winter, this varietal is best kept as a house plant. It particularly thrives in hanging baskets or containers, where its branches can trail gracefully over the edges.

When in their native habitat, tiny rosy-purple flowers will bloom in small clusters throughout the year. But only when grown in their native habitat.  Zebrina rarely blooms when grown indoors. But its bold purple and green leaves create enough visual interest on its own.

Read also: How to Grow and Care for Philodendron

Table of Contents

How to Care for Your Tradescantia Zebrina

Water and soil.

Zebrinas like small breaks between watering. Allow your soil to dry to the top 50% before watering. Then water until liquid flows through the drainage hole and accumulates at the bottom of the pot. Discard any water that has accumulated in the saucer.

Take care not to overwater your Zebrina plant . Overwatering can lead to root rot, which is a common issue with this varietal. If your soil is soggy, it has been overwatered, and you need to cut back. Pour out any excess water from the pot and let your soil dry out a little before watering again. If your roots are damaged, you may need to re-pot in a well-draining potting mix to get your roots out of their overwatered soil.

Your bathroom or kitchen is a great choice for your Tradescantia Zebrina as it does best in a slightly more humid environment. Feel free to mist your plant frequently. If the humidity is too low the leaves will start to brown.

You may want to fertilize your Zebrina once a month during its peak periods of growth, which are the spring and summer seasons. To do so, choose a liquid fertilizer and dilute with water according to the package instructions. You can fertilize every other week. It is not necessary to fertilize during the cooler months, as the plant is naturally in a resting phase during those times.

Zebrina plants love bright, indirect light. The more natural the sunlight it can receive, the more vibrant purple its beautiful leaves will be. However, take care not to place your plant directly into sunlight. This species cannot thrive under direct sun.

Zebrinas are not prone to pests, but they can occasionally get spider mites (teeny tiny arachnids that lay their eggs on leaves and eat plant tissue). To avoid the occurrence of mites, keep the humidity high (spider mites like it dry). 

If you do find mites on your plant , try rinsing your Zebrina under running water to remove the mites. If this does not work, try a solution of soapy water. Mix 5 tablespoons of dish soap with 4 cups of water in a bottle and spray plants with the solution. 

The fast growth rate of this species can also cause legginess. To address this, pinch off the stems. The plant will reciprocate by developing two new stems. Pinching back the long vines encourages branching and increases the fullness of the plant.

Zebrina looks better when full and bushy, but some growing conditions can make the plant “leggy.” These include poor lighting, poor watering, and low humidity. If any of the above conditions are occurring, it is best to address the root cause. When you prune, bear in mind that you can keep the cuttings to propagate them using the methods below.

How to Propagate Your Tradescantia Zebrina

Zebrina is a very easy plant to grow from cuttings. People especially love that that this species propagates quickly. Always make your cuttings with a sharp, sterilized knife or shears. Your cuttings should be 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10 cm.) long.

To start, find a vine that looks healthy and choose leaf nodes on it. (Nodes are the points on a stem where the buds and leaves develop. Cut just below the leaf node. Note that you can make several cuttings from one long vine. Make 10-12 cuttings to ensure that at least a few will root well.

Place your node cuttings in a wide jar and add fresh water almost to the top. Be sure to remove any bottom leaves from the cuttings that will end up underwater. Only the nodes should be submerged. This will prevent leaf rot below the water’s surface. Place your cuttings in a jar in a bright, sunny area.

You should begin to see little roots form under the water surface in a week or so. The roots will come out of the nodes. Be sure to top the jar off with more water as the water level goes down and replace the jar with fresh water if necessary. The water contains nutrients that your cuttings need to absorb in order to grow. After about two weeks of root growth, you should be ready to transplant your Zebrina cuttings.

You can also plant your cuttings directly into the soil. If you choose to propagate with a container, be sure to water the soil often to keep the nodes moist while they work hard to develop a root system.

Once your cuttings have developed roots, you can transplant them into a container, and fill it with all-purpose potting soil. Place your newly planted cuttings in a location that receives medium to bright light, with indoor temperatures between 65- and 75-degrees Fahrenheit (13-24 C).

Tradescantia Zebrina Additional Care

Your Tradescantia Zebrina is mildly toxic to humans and pets so do take care to keep pets away. Ingestion may cause mouth and stomach irritation. If you have curious pets, it is best to keep your Zebrina plant high on a shelf or hanging from a basket.

It is also important to maintain an average room temperature of between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit for your plant. Extreme changes in temperature can shock it, causing damage to the root system. Also, take care to keep your Zebrina safe from drafts and vents, such as those found around windows and heating systems.

You can train your Zebrina to encourage fullness. If the vines of your Tradescantia become too long, simply trim them with sharp, clean scissors. Then plant the cut ends an inch or two into the soil. Roots will develop and your plant will become more full over time.

Troubleshooting Your Tradescantia Zebrina

Fading leaves.

It can be alarming to notice that the bold purple and silver stripes on your Zebrina are starting to fade, but this is probably due to a lack of light. Find a sunnier spot for your Zebrina, such as a window sill that does not get direct light or a bright shelf.

Yellow Leaves

Drooping yellow leaves on your Tradescantia Zebrina are likely caused by overwatering. Your Tradescantia Zebrina does not need much water to survive. To avoid this condition, water your plant only when the top 50% of soil is dry.

Curling Leaves

Zebrina loves bright light but cannot handle direct sunlight. Getting direct sun will cause the leaves on your plant to curl around the edges. In this case, the solution is not to move to a dark area. Move your plant to another bright area where the direct sun does not come through a window.

Final Thoughts

Gorgeous, eye-catching colors make Tradescantia Zebrina an ideal addition to your indoor plant collection. Remember that this varietal likes bright indirect light and little breaks between watering. But it also appreciates humidity and/or frequent misting. Keep these considerations in mind to be sure that your Zebrina will remain lovely for years to come.

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Growing Wandering Dude Plants (Tradescantia Zebrina): Watering, Propagating, Lighting, and More

Tradescantia zebrina   (wandering dude) is a type of spiderwort known for its attractive purple- and silver-striped foliage. This houseplant, also called in “inch plant,” knows how to survive any indoor environment and is perfect for the wanna-be-green thumb! Here’s how to care for an inch plant in your home.

About Tradescantia or Inch Plant

Tradescantia zebrina (pronounced trad-es- KAN -tee-uh zeb- REE -nuh) is a species of creeping plant in the Tradescantia genus. Common names include wandering jude and inch plant. This plant was formerly called Zebrina pendula and wandering Jew. Another common name is Variegated Spiderwort.

While  Tradescantia zebrina is a perennial plant in its native Mexico, its treated as a houseplant in North America, and commonly grown in a hanging pot. It is considered invasive species in warm regions outside of their home ranges (including in parts of the southeastern U.S. ). For this reason, we recommend growing inch plants indoors or keeping them restricted to containers outdoors. 

Not only does the inch plant have attractive leaves but it’s fast-growing, with trailing stems. Leaf nodes on the stem are supposed to be 1-inch apart, hence the common name inch plant.  Each segment is capable of producing a new plant, so Tradescantia is e asily started from cuttings that root readily in moist soil. 

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• Grow in all-purpose indoor potting mix in either a pot or hanging basket. 
• Select a location with filtered sun. Keep inch plants out of direct sunlight and out of dark areas, which will cause them to become leggy.
• The room temperature should be average (between 55° and 75°F).
• Water deeply, but allow the soil to dry partially before watering again. This plant doesn’t like to dry out, but it also doesn’t like to be constantly wet.
• Water less during the winter months, which is the plant’s resting period.
• Provide fertilizer twice a month in the spring and summer; don’t fertilize in fall and winter.
• Pinch back to keep this trailing plant contained as well as promoting bushier foliage.  
• Removed leggy growth also allows for cuttings that can be used for propagation. 
• Plants can be pruned back hard every spring and can be taken outside on a protected patio in the summer.
• Tradescantia zebrina  ‘Tricolor’ (pictured at the top of this page) has beautiful purple and green leaves with shiny silver stripes. 
• Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’ has fuzzy, purple foliage.
• Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Quicksilver’ has variegated white-green foliage.
• Inch plants can easily be propagated by cuttings. Snip off a piece of the plant (the cutting should ideally be 3–4 inches long) and place the cut end in water. In about a week (or less), the cutting should produce roots. A week or so after that, plant the cutting in a pot according to the planting guidelines above.

Pests/Diseases

• No serious insect or disease problems.
• Aphids tend to be a problem on the stems and leaves. Monitor for aphids (and other small insects), as they could become an issue if unchecked. To get rid of them, pinch off the infected stems and spray the plant with water.
• Root rot and stem rot can occur in soggy soil.  
• Note that contact with plant sap causes skin irritations in some individuals.

Catherine Boeckmann

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I am not about to call a plant "dude". Stop being ridiculous, stop with the DIV garbage. Keep your roots.

I love the Wandering Jew hanging baskets. Last year they were priced at $40 a basket and I have 3 baskets and was not paying that much so when it came time for the first frost and the leaves started browning I clipped about 25 or so cuttings and put them in juice glasses on my dining table. I changed the water regularly but the whole winter they stayed in the juice glasses in a place with indirect sunlight. In early spring I transplanted them into the baskets with potting soil and some fertilizer. They were tiny little spindles and now they are thriving! I love them!

We love how quickly the inch plants grow and propagate! Thank you for sharing your story with us.

- Jenn, Associate Digital Editor

A good article on the care of the wandering Jew plant. Although, I would like to add, that the branches of this plant are extremely tender. And you can break them off, just buy a glance. So I would caution anyone, to handle them with care. Once it's established as a full-sized plant, it's a more little hardy. But, as a young cutting. Those stems are very tender.

Just because something has "always been this way" or you're old is not a good reason to continue. We constantly learn and evolve our language. The National Gardening Association (NGA) and a number of professional horticulturalists have acknowledges this. Unless you're a plant person or Jewish, I'm not sure you would know. I'm glad the Almanac's forward thinking and not anti-semitic; it may take a few years for regular people in plant stores to catch up. As someone else said here, "Just because you find something inoffensive doesn't make it so."

The genus Tradescantia commemorates John Tradescant the Elder (1570s-1638). Massively famous and significant. An extraordinary plant hunter and master gardener who began his career as head gardener to Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury ... gardener to the royal favourite George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham ... Keeper of his Majesty's King Charles I's Gardens, Vines, and Silkworms ... the Oxford Physic Garden. His royal patrons sent him all over to collect for their gardens and greenhouses -- the Low Countries, Arctic Russia, the Levant/North Africa. With his son, maintained their own garden and museum in South Lambeth, known as the Tradescants' Ark -- the first public museum in Britain. The common house plant under discussion here was sent to him by a friend in Virginia (it is indigenous to Mexico); another friend sent the scarlet runner bean from the West Indies. His son, John Tradescant the Younger, was also a traveller (mostly to North America), plant hunter, master gardener. Their huge museum collection went to Elias Ashmole and became the foundation of the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. This link lists some of the 750 species they brought to England: https://people.elmbridgehundred.org.uk/biographies/john-tradescant/ They were just as famous for the numerous "rarities" in their large museum of the world, among which is one of the few specimens of the extinct dodo. Their travels explain the "Wandering" part of the houseplant's name. Were they Jewish? If they were Jewish in 17thC England, it would likely have been a private matter. Casual research turns up nothing certain, only this suggestion from a 1638 visit: "The Christian world is also indebted unto that painful industrious searcher and lover of all nature’s variety for the late knowledge of the spiderwort..." -- though that might only signify collection from nonChristian territories. (You can find the whole letter here: https://thejunket.org/2015/01/issue-thirteen/tradeskin/.) But I would like to think they were.

"some PC nonsense... forced on the public" and "a perfectly good name and there's nothing offensive about it"

The name refers alternatively to the legend that a Jew mocked Jesus on the way to the cross and was forced to wander the Earth until the apocalypse or to the supposed itinerant, rootless nature of Jews. There are centuries of stereotypes built around these myths. Please consider that the world is larger than what you know. Just because you find something inoffensive doesn't make it so.

Thank you for the information you provided about the name “Wondering Jew” I did not know this..was very interesting. I was just going to post on social media about my plants didn’t know the correct name I didn’t want to offend anyone reading this put my mind to ease. Again thank so much for your comment.

It has been called the wondering Jew as far back as I can remember how on earth did they come up with the inch plant really!!!

How did they come up with inch plant? It's literally in the article that "Leaf nodes on the stem are supposed to be 1-inch apart, hence the common name inch plant". Yet you think "Wandering Jew" is a great descriptor of a plant? Considering the term is based on anti-Semitism I'm surprised anyone would argue for continuing to use a term once ignorance of it's impact can't be an excuse. To knowingly say that your desire to say words outweighs someone else's desire to not be subjected to casual racism is unbelievably selfish. When offered the chance to be better, to do better, why on earth would you not take it?

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Wondering how to care for an inch plant? Top tips for the tropical plant

Tropical plants can be alluring for any gardener, but they aren’t always easy to care for. With their unique patterns and interesting shapes and colors, it’s no wonder gardeners love bringing these plants into their homes. However, growing a plant in a different climate than it’s used to can be tricky, especially if you aren’t sure what they need.

Soil and seasons

Sun and water, pests and diseases, fertilizing and propagating.

If you’re interested in bringing a taste of the tropics home with you, then why not try growing Tradescantia zebrina , also known as a wandering Jew or inch plant? (Note: While wandering Jew has long been the common name for this houseplant, the name has its roots in antisemitism, so we won’t be using it). This mildly toxic plant is easy to grow and impressive to see. Here’s everything you need to know about Tradescantia zebrina plant care!

Zebrina grows well in many soil types, as long as it’s a well-draining soil. Adding perlite or a small amount of peat moss can help the soil retain water without exposing the plant’s roots to too much water. If you’re growing your zebrina in a pot, make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom. Adding a small amount of compost to the soil can help ensure your potted zebrina will have enough nutrients, since potted plants don’t have access to natural means of replenishing the nutrients in their soil.

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When growing inch plants outside, it’s best to plant them once the weather warms, such as in spring in most areas. Since they are native to Central and South America, they’re adapted to heat and sensitive to cold. Frost can damage or kill them, so wait until all chance of frost has passed before planting them. You can start them indoors at any time, as long as you can keep them warm.

Tradescantia zebrina fares best in partial sun. Generally, when growing this plant outdoors, it can tolerate more shade. If you’re growing it indoors, though, then it’s important for it to get enough sun. When this plant doesn’t get enough sun, the colors of its leaves dim. After that, it begins to grow weaker. If you want to grow zebrina through winter, then you may need to invest in a sun lamp or grow light .

Keep the soil moist, but not soaking wet. Whenever the soil dries out, give it an even watering. Try not to soak the soil too thoroughly. Although zebrina can withstand overwatering on occasion, it can develop root rot if overwatered too often. During fall and winter, you can reduce the amount of water you give it even further. This is because the plant will go dormant as the temperature falls, and dormant plants don’t use as much water.

Luckily, zebrina plants rarely have serious issues with pests or diseases. The sap this plant produces is a mild skin irritant, which makes it unpleasant for most pests. It can develop root or stem rot when consistently overwatered, which can lead to mildew in some cases. Let the soil dry before watering it again and make sure the drainage holes are not clogged. In more severe cases, you may need to remove the affected part of the plant.

Some smaller insects can become a nuisance for zebrina. Aphids, whiteflies, scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites can cause minor damage to the leaves and stems. In most cases, you can simply brush or blow the pests off of the leaves with your hand, a duster, or air. If you have a consistent issue with them, consider applying insecticidal soap. You can find these in gardening supply stores or make your own at home.

If your inch plant is growing outside, then it may not need any fertilizer at all. If it’s an indoor plant, it may not need any either, depending on the potting soil you used when planting it and how long it survives. Zebrina plants grown in cooler climates often don’t live long enough for lack of nutrients to be an issue. However, if you’re determined to keep yours around, then fertilizing it during spring and summer can give it a helpful boost. You can fertilize your inch plant once per season or once every other month.

Zebrina plants are easy to propagate from cuttings, which can be rooted in water or soil without the use of a rooting hormone. Simply use a sharp, clean pair of scissors to cut a section off the end of one vine. The cutting should be several inches, with longer vines providing longer cuttings.

Snip the section off just above a leaf node at a slight angle. Remove the bottom few leaves and place the cutting in either clean water or soil. Make sure the remaining leaves are above the water or soil. You may see growth in under a week, depending on the variety of zebrina! Once the roots are a few inches long, you can transplant it from water to soil.

Whether you call it a wandering Jew, zebrina plant, inch plant, or just Tradescantia zebrina , this beautiful plant will look great in your garden or home. Consider mixing yours with some ferns, calathea , or orchids to create a stunning tropical display. Zebrina is so easy to propagate that you can fill your windows with them. As an added benefit, young zebrina plants make great gifts! If you aren’t sure what to get the gardener in your life, why not give them a cutting or two?

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During the early pandemic days, the Thai Constellation Monstera was one of the most coveted cultivars of the humble Monstera deliciosa. Now, houseplant enthusiasts can more readily find this striking plant at lower costs, whether it's at a grocery store or a local nursery. Despite its gaining popularity, you might still have questions about the Thai Constellation Monstera plant. Not to worry — here's all that you need to know about what this plant is and how you can grow it in your lush indoor garden.

What is the Thai Constellation Monstera, and what makes it so special? Along with the Monstera deliciosa's eye-catching fenestrations, the Thai Constellation plant features gorgeous mottled leaves with a touch of creamy variegation. The Thai Constellation cultivar is relatively difficult to grow, which was why it was such a rare and expensive plant for so long — just a few years ago, a handful of cuttings could go for hundreds of dollars.

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Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)

The Wandering Jew plant is a perfect addition to most types of vivariums.

Known for its resilience and easygoing attitude, this plant is extremely flexible and great for any level of hobbyist.

This vine is an awesome plant for those looking to add a dash of color without introducing more difficulty.

Today’s article will take a closer look at Wandering Jew, providing a complete understanding and care guide to growing one.

Table Of Contents:

What Is A Wandering Jew Plant?

Wandering Jew is an easy, fast-growing plant known for its distinct leaf coloration.

It is a very popular houseplant in the Commelinaceae family, also known as spiderwort.

There are several other similar species of plants that also use the common name Wandering Jew.

However, this one can be distinguished by its variegated purplish-green leaves.

Wandering Jew is often described as a succulent-like trailing, stemmed plant.

In other words, it falls under the category of vines.

A vine can be defined as any plant with a growth habit of creeping or trailing stems.

It is extremely tough and will thrive in almost any situation when grown indoors.

Wandering Jew Facts

Wandering Jew is botanically called Tradescantia zebrina .

As mentioned before, the name Wandering Jew is used for a number of different plant species under the Tradescantia genus.

This genus is made up of at least 75 different perennial species.

Some are seen as obnoxious weeds, some are cherished as outdoor garden plants, and three of them are mostly coveted indoor house plants.

These are the ones generally known as wandering Jew plants.

The genus name was given in honor of John Tradescant and his son John Tradescant.

They were both botanists and successive gardeners to Charles I of England.

Meanwhile, the specific “zebrina” epithet simply means zebra-striped.

Common names of these vines include Inch plant, Wandering Jew, Cockroach Grass, Purple Wandering Jew, Silver Inch Plant, Silvery Inch Plant, Striped Trad, Striped Wandering Creeper, Striped Wandering Jew, Wandering Zebrina, Zebra Plant, and Zebrina.

The common names of the plant were given to it due to its ability to grow and spread extremely quickly.

In fact, the plant will need very little care or aid from humans in order to thrive. The Inch Plant name is more of a play on words.

The idea comes from the plant stem’s ability to grow approximately an inch every week, and the skill to propagate itself using only an inch of its stem.

Description

Most varieties of Wandering Jew are very similar and share most of the same characteristics.

They are vining plants that have eye-catching zebra-patterned leaves.

The top side of the leaf will have a variegated look of purple, and green, as well as two thick silver stripes aligned to the central axis.

Purple coloration will represent new growth, while green marks older growth.

The underside of every leave will be a consistent plum color.

The leaves are bluish-green, thin, oval, fuzzy, and about 2 inches long.

They produce clusters of small, three-petaled flowers in spring and summer.

The flowers are usually purple-pink colored.

Overall, Tradescantia zebrina is a low-lying, succulent-like perennial known for forming dense mats.

Its foliage will usually grow up to 6 feet tall, and crawl to 2 feet wide or more.

Wandering Jew is a species of plant native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico, which includes Central America and Colombia.

However, it can also be found in Belize, Panama, El Salvador, and even the Caribbean Islands.

Throughout the years, it has also been naturalized and adapted in parts of South America, Australia, numerous oceanic islands, Africa, and Asia.

So, it can pretty much be found all around the world. In the wild, this vine can be seen growing in bushes in the rainforest and wetlands.

It will often be found growing on stones in open and shaded areas or riverbanks with elevations of 2000 meters or less.

Wandering Jew is not frost-tolerant and likes to grow in constantly warm temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The colder the temperature, the slower the plant will grow and propagate. 

Anything below 50 degrees will damage the leaves and ultimately kill the plant.

PH Preference

The pH level of soil measures the relative acidity or alkalinity based on a scale of about 0 to 14.

A pH of 7 represents neutral levels, meaning neither acidic nor alkaline.

Even though the hypothetical range of pH is actually a lot wider when it comes to plants the range used is typically between 4 (highly acidic) and 10 (highly alkaline).

Most plants grown indoors prefer neutral to slightly acidic pH levels of around 6.5.

However, the vast majority of them will tolerate a variance of a few points.

Wandering Jew falls right around those ranges.

The ideal pH for the plant’s success will range anywhere between 5.0 and 6.0, but it will tolerate a slight difference.

Vivarium Type

Tradescantia zebrina will do quite well in a variety of vivarium types .

Even though there is no one set enclosure that it must grow in, some will be better fitting for the plant’s needs.

The best and easiest way to decide on the perfect enclosure will be to keep in mind the plant’s natural habitat.

Be sure to go with setups that have tropical, but well-drained terrestrial areas.

Here are recommended vivariums it will do well in:

• Paludariums – Half aquatic/ half terrain-based enclosure.
• Terrariums – Fully terrain-based enclosures with little to no aquatic features.

Vivarium Placement

Wandering Jew is a very versatile plant when it comes to placement.

Where exactly the plant is placed in a vivarium will be up to the person growing it.

However, there are certain setups that will showcase its beautiful foliage better.

For instance, placing the vine towards the top of the enclosure in a bucket-like structure will allow it to freely cascade down.

This will create what looks like a lush curtain of vines and leaves full of vivid colors.

Another option would be to place the plant all the way down.

Its dense growing habit will allow Tradescantia zebrina to cover the ground in a carpet-like fashion.

Also, two things to keep in mind with the placement of the Wandering Jew are lighting and humidity.

First, make sure that the plant is always above water.

With that being said, it will require a good amount of humidity and light to properly grow and thrive.

Make sure that where ever the vine is being placed, it is able to receive both.

Wandering Jews prefer moist, yet well-drained substrate. A peat-based terrarium soil mix is usually the number one recommendation.

Try mixing 2 parts peat moss and 1-part perlite or sand .

The peat moss will help maintain dampness in the soil, while the perlite or sand will ensure there is proper drainage.

Commercial potting soil can also be ideal as long as the sand is added for drainage support.

Waterlogged or soggy soil can lead to rotting roots and eventually the plant’s death.

Tradescantia zebrina will need bright, but indirect sunlight in order to thrive.

The plant will need plenty of light in order to keep its variegated and vivid colors. 

If it does not receive enough light, then the purple and silver coloring of the leaves will begin to fade.

On the other hand, if too much light is provided, especially direct sunlight, the leaves will end up scorching.

Fortunately, the issue of too much lighting is not something to worry about when growing in a vivarium.

It is basically only caused by excessively exposed locations outside during midsummer.

Seasons won’t really matter inside an enclosure. When setting up lights inside of a vivarium, LED or fluorescent lights will do the trick just fine.

Try to go for cooler colors that resemble a bright, but shaded day.

This will assure the plant is receiving all the light it needs, without being harmed.

You might also want to avoid any strong UVB lights since they will replicate direct sunlight.

Buy Wandering Jew

Wandering Jew is a fairly common houseplant and should be pretty easy to find in local stores or online.

Either way, there are a few key indicators you should be on the lookout for.

These will make sure you are buying the best quality plant. The plant should be insect free along with any other types of pests.

In addition, the purchased plant should be green, vibrant, and healthy-looking.

Try to avoid any yellowing or wilting leaves. Those are usually signs of poor health and could make it harder for the plant to survive.

Click the image below to find out more about the current price and other relative info about this plant:

Wandering Jew Care and Propagation

Wandering Jew is a very easy-going plant. Overall, they will not be too demanding when it comes to their upkeep.

However, there are still a few guidelines that should always be followed.

Tradescantia zebrina should always be provided with ample indirect light, high humidity, and proper drainage to reach its full potential.

As long as those needs are met, there is not much more to worry about.

This will help guarantee the plant always maintains its healthy, lush, and vivid look.

How to grow

Wandering Jew plants can all be easily propagated through the use of stem cuttings.

The plant has an extremely high success rate of 98% when it comes to regrowth.

Simply take a healthy adult plant and cut 4-6 inches off the top of the stem containing at least one leaf.

The new pieces should then be re-planted somewhere moist and warm in order to grow. Make sure to also water well and then just watch it sprout away.

As to be expected with most hardy plants, Wandering Jew can cope quite well with some droughts and a little waterlogging from time to time.

Do not make such a careless watering approach a habit though.

Even though this plant is very tough, it will still begin to deteriorate if it is consistently neglected.

Tradescantia zebrina prefers to be watered moderately.

The plant appreciates moist soil, at least during its growing period where it grows so quickly it uses a lot of water.

An easy way to know whether or not the Wandering Jew should be watered is by dipping your finder in the topsoil and feeling for moisture.

Keep an eye out for limp stems, since they are usually a sign that the vine is lacking water.

Plants Similar To Wandering Jew

When adding different types of vivarium plants , it is important to make sure that they can all co-exist.

There is no use in finding all these beautiful vegetation if they all have different care requirements.

Sooner than later, some of the plants will end up dying if placed in the same enclosure.

One way to avoid this would be by finding similar plants to the Wandering Jew.

As mentioned before, there are a few different varieties of Wandering Jew.

Although they will all be slightly different in appearance, their requirements will be almost identical.

Choosing to incorporate some of those variations will help provide diversity to the tank, while also making sure that all plants will easily coexist…

Here are some other vine plants you might find may do well with or in place of Tradescantia zebrina :

Overall, the Wandering Jew is a great addition to most vivariums with terrestrial features.

Whether you are just getting started or simply looking for something new to add to your planted tank, this vine will not disappoint.

I would consider this plant at a beginner’s level when it comes to care and reproduction.

It can tolerate a wide variety of conditions and does not require a lot of attention.

To top it off, this plant’s quick growth and vivid color will help bring life and attention to otherwise neglected areas.

Have you ever used Wandering Jew in your vivarium? What was your experience like?

Frequently Asked Questions

W andering Jew ( Tradescantia zebrina ) likes filtered sun or indirect light . It prefers slightly sh adier environments and can tolerate some direct sun , but the bright direct light of midday sun can burn the leaves .

No , Wand ering Jew is not hard to care for . This low – main tenance house plant is quite easy to grow in average household conditions and requires minimal upkeep . It thri ves in bright , indirect light and likes to stay evenly moist .

Yes , Wand ering Jew  can survive winter in most climates as long as it is protected from cold temperatures , as it is a tropical plant and not hard y for temperatures below about 50 degrees Fahrenheit . Prov iding extra insulation , such as with pot covers or planting in a container , can also help protect the plant from frost and freezing temperatures .

The Wand ering Jew , or Tradescantia zebrina , is an ever green perennial plant that is easy to care for . Its pink , white , and green striped leaves make it an attractive addition to any garden, home, or terrarium.

 Additionally , Wand ering Jew is known for its air – pur ifying qualities , making it an excellent choice for improving air quality in an indoor environment .

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Wandering Jew Care: How to Grow a Long and Luscious Inch Plant (Tradescantia Zebrina)

Tradescantia zebrina (commonly known as wandering Jew, spiderwort, or inch plant) is popular for a reason: This beginner-friendly houseplant is low-maintenance and grows quickly. It’s also super easy to propagate more plants so you can fill your home with more of the colorful striped foliage the species is known for.

Written by Linda Ly

When it comes to vigorous, colorful, and easy-to-grow hanging houseplants, there aren’t many that can compare to Tradescantia zebrina (known more commonly as wandering Jew—and I’ll touch on the history of that name below). Whether you’re a houseplant beginner or a veteran, most indoor gardeners have owned one of these potted plants at some point. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Tradescantia zebrina and growing this stunning houseplant in your own home.

Disclosure: If you shop from my article or make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive commissions on some of the products I recommend.

About inch plants

Natural habitat.

Tradescantia zebrina is a native of Central and South America, from Mexico down to Colombia, as well as the Caribbean. Here, it forms part of the undergrowth in lightly forested and often very moist areas. It can form very dense, wide mats thanks to its creeping growth pattern and ability to throw roots extremely quickly.

Unfortunately, its vigorous growth has also made Tradescantia zebrina an invasive plant in some regions. This includes Hawaii, Brazil, and Australia, where the species easily takes hold in moist, forested areas.

As a 2019 study carried out in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest notes, this is problematic due to the species choking out native plants.

Some of the above was caused by careless gardeners allowing bits of the plant to get into the wild, where they quickly root. If you’d like to grow spiderworts like this one in your garden, please make sure to dispose properly of any trimmings left after pruning!

This also applies to zebrina’s popular cousins, like Tradescantia fluminensis, T. pallida, and T. spathacea.

Description

It’s not difficult to see why Tradescantia zebrina gained popularity as a houseplant. Wandering spiderwort plants (not to be confused with spider plants , another beginner-friendly species) are low-maintenance and grow just about anywhere—they even just grow in water !

Easy care and quick growth aside, spiderworts are also just good-looking plants. The pointed, oval leaves on thin, fleshy stems overlap slightly and are characterized by their zebra pattern in purple and silvery green. The leaf undersides are deep purple in color and the tiny, three-petaled flowers are bright pink.

Although this species is naturally a creeping plant, it’s often grown indoors in hanging planters. As long as the plant is provided with enough light, the foliage will be very dense and brightly colored, forming a spectacular waterfall that can reach more than 3 feet in length.

What’s in a name? In the case of common houseplants, sometimes a lot.

Tradescantia zebrina is a classic houseplant (I found mention of it in a 1964 German book about houseplants, but it’s probably been around longer than that!) and among most English speakers, it has long been known as wandering Jew. This is probably a reference to the “wandering” nature of the plant, as it does have a creeping growth pattern.

The legend of the wandering Jew is hundreds of years old and is now commonly considered to be rooted in antisemitism. It describes a Jewish man cursed to walk the planet until the Second Coming because he taunted Jesus on his way to the cross.

Because of this, the plant name has partly fallen out of fashion and has been the source of much debate in the plant world over the past few years. 

Some plant enthusiasts have embraced the alternative “wandering dude,” which I personally think is a great option.

“Inch plant” (houseplant enthusiasts don’t agree on whether this refers to the fact that it can grow an inch a day, or that you only need an inch of stem to propagate it), “spiderwort,” or “wandering spiderwort” are also popular alternatives, though these are common names for other Tradescantia varieties, such as Tradescantia Nanouk.

The best way to avoid any confusion is to just stick to the scientific name.

Inch plant varieties

There are three subspecies of inch plant (wandering Jew): Tradescantia zebrina var. zebrina, var. flocculosa, and var. mollipila. Unsurprisingly, after it having been a popular houseplant for so many years, nurseries have also managed to create a whole bunch of cultivars through selective cultivation.

A few of the popular Tradescantia zebrina cultivars you may come across in your local plant store include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Quadricolor’: Yep, as the name suggests, this one adds an extra color to the mix. The leaves are cream, pink-purple, light green, and dark green.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Burgundy’: Characterized by its very dark purple coloration.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Silver Plus’: Less purple, more shiny silver.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Red Gem’: Less silver, more intense (light) purple.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Purple Joy’: Less silver, more dark purple. 
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Tikal’: A rare, naturally occurring variety that collectors pay a pretty penny for.

Do keep in mind that most of these cultivars aren’t patented and the amount of mislabeling and variation within a cultivar are both huge. Just growing your wandering Jew in lower-light conditions can completely change the way it looks, so it’s not surprising that confusion sometimes reigns supreme.

Luckily, care is the same across all cultivars, so your best bet is to just enjoy your plant even if you’re not sure what Tradescantia variety you’re dealing with!

Where to buy wandering Jew plants:

• California Tropicals
• Daylily Nursery
• The Green Escape

Caring for an inch plant

Light and temperature.

It’s important to provide your Tradescantia zebrina with enough light. It’s tempting to use plants to brighten up dark, shaded spots in your home, but that just doesn’t work with this one: It loses its dense growth pattern and beautiful coloration in low light.

To prevent your wandering dude plant from growing sparse and green, place it near a window that gets bright indirect light. Some full sun isn’t a problem either, but do make sure you acclimate it gradually to a higher light location.

Temperature-wise, this species is a lot hardier than many of the tender tropicals we like to grow in our homes (like Anthurium andraeanum and Begonia maculata ).

Wandering dude plants can handle a very wide range of temps, making it perfect for those chillier windowsills that your other plants may not appreciate. Room temperature is ideal, but anything between 50°F to 85°F will keep them happy.

Water and humidity

Your Tradescantia zebrina will appreciate lightly moist soil. You can water a bit more during the summer months, when the plant is actively growing and needs a lot of moisture, and less during winter, when soil tends to take significantly longer to dry. 

If you’re not sure whether it’s time to water your wandering Jew plant yet, you can always turn to the age-old trick of sticking a finger in the soil.

• If it still feels damp, wait a little longer, until the first inch or two has dried. 
• If it feels bone dry, you’ve waited too long; you may also see limp leaves on your plant at this point. It’ll bounce back, but not always without lasting damage. 
• If the soil feels wet, you watered too much and need to keep an eye out for root rot.

As for humidity, given its rather wet natural habitat, wandering Jew does appreciate higher air moisture levels. The great thing is, though, that it doesn’t demand it. As long as you keep its soil lightly moist and the air isn’t extremely dry, your plant should do well.

Soil and planting

Wandering Jew is not fussy about its potting mixture at all. I’ve grown it in pure houseplant potting soil with no additives. If you do want to take things to the next level, you can add some perlite and/or peat moss, although this is really not a must. 

Most houseplant enthusiasts like to place their wandering Jew in a hanging planter so they can enjoy the look of the leaves cascading down. This is not a must, though. You can also emphasize the species’ creeping growth habit by filling up a large, shallow planter, growing it in a terrarium, or even keeping it in water on a semi-permanent basis.

Recommended products for wandering Jew plant care:

• FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
• Espoma Organic Potting Mix
• Perfect Plants Organic Perlite

Fertilizing

Like most other houseplants, Tradescantia zebrina appreciates a bit of fertilizer during the growing season, which extends from spring to early fall. You can use a normal houseplant fertilizer according to the instructions on the bottle.

Don’t fertilize during the winter months unless your plant is growing well. It doesn’t need extra nutrients if it’s inactive.

Recommended fertilizers for wandering Jew plants:

• Houseplant Resource Center Liquid Fertilizer for Houseplants
• Instant Biologics Instant Plant Food (Fizzing Nutrient Tablets)
• Maxsea All-Purpose Seaweed Plant Food

Pruning 

There’s a good chance you’ll have to prune your Tradescantia zebrina regularly, because as I mentioned, this is a very quick grower. It also roots very easily, so any trimmings can be replanted! I’ll describe how to do this in the section on propagation below.

Aside from stem trimming, you can remove any dead leaves, which are bound to pop up from time to time in very dense plants like this species.

Dividing or repotting

Inch plants don’t grow by producing plantlets at their base like many other houseplants (such as spider plants ) do. Instead, inch plants spread by rooting along the stems.

This means that division is not really the way to go; keeping these plants manageable is usually done through pruning. You can shape your plant by pinching off any long, leggy stems to create a fuller appearance and control its spread.

You’ll notice that Tradescantia really doesn’t mind being a bit cramped in its planter. Still, it’s a good idea to provide your plant with some fresh soil every year or two by repotting it.

Propagating an inch plant

If you’ve never propagated a houseplant before, this is truly one of the best species to start with. It’s known for rooting extremely quickly in both water and soil, meaning it’s easy to fill endless planters to keep or give away.

All you need to propagate your Tradescantia zebrina is a pair of clean scissors. Here’s how you do it:

• Snip the ends off existing branches. An inch or two with a few leaves works best.
• Remove the leaves at the bottom so part of the stem is exposed.
• Place the cutting in a glass of water to root or plant it directly in soil. You can put cuttings back in the mother plant’s pot to give her a fuller appearance on top.
• It can take a little longer during the winter months, but the first roots should appear within a week or so. You can give soil cuttings a slight tug to verify they’ve rooted.
• Once the first signs of new foliage appear, you’ll know your propagation attempt has been a success! 
• If you propagated in water, you can leave the rooted cuttings in water almost indefinitely, although you can also pot them up in fresh soil.

Common questions about inch plant care

How do i make a wandering jew plant bushy.

By their very nature, wandering Jew plants are not bushy. Their creeping growth habit means they naturally grow leggy over time, especially in containers.

However, you can mimic a fuller appearance by strategically pinching off any long, spindly stems to shape the plant more. These stems can also be replanted near the mother plant.

As the baby plants grow, they’ll help fill in sparse areas and create the illusion of a bushy wandering Jew.

How long do wandering Jew plants live?

Wandering Jew plants have a limited lifespan of just a few years, and as a potted plant, you’ll notice your wandering Jew becoming very leggy after just two to three years.

Unlike other fast-growing plants that benefit from pruning, cutting back a wandering Jew doesn’t work well to renew its growth; it simply controls the spread.

The best way to keep your plant coming back year after year is to propagate new plants from stem cuttings, which—fortunately—is super easy with a high success rate.

Is wandering Jew perennial?

Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) is a trailing evergreen perennial in its native habitat (USDA hardiness zones 9 through 12). Where it’s not winter hardy, wandering Jew is grown year-round as a houseplant.

Are wandering Jew plants toxic to cats and dogs?

Wandering Jew is not considered outright toxic, but it can cause some skin irritation. If your pet gets into your plant, don’t worry too much, although it can be a good idea to have a look in its mouth to make sure there’s no excessive swelling. Be sure to offer water. To prevent skin rash, it can be a good idea to wear gloves if you need to handle your wandering Jew plant. This especially applies if you have sensitive skin.

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/110354

Racism in Taxonomy: What’s in a Name?

Chiba de Castro, W. A., Xavier, R. O., Garrido, F. H., Romero, J. H., Peres, C. K., & da Luz, R. C. (2019). Fraying around the edges: negative effects of the invasive Tradescantia zebrina Hort. ex Bosse (Commelinaceae) on tree regeneration in the Atlantic Forest under different competitive and environmental conditions. Journal of Plant Ecology, 12(4), 713-721.

Encke, F. (1964). Pflanzen fur Zimmer und Balkon; Auswahl, Pflege, Vermehrung.

I'm a plant lover, passionate road-tripper, and cookbook author whose expert advice and bestselling books have been featured in Time, Outside, HGTV, and Food & Wine. The National Parks Cookbook is my latest book. Garden Betty is where I write about modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring—all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more »

We bought a full grown Bolivian Jewel mid summer last year. It was in a 14” raised pot and flowing 2 foot over the sides. It was beautiful next to our fountain outside. We live in Minnesota so we had to discard it in the late fall since we had no place to care for it in the house. Since we can’t find another like it we’d like to plant one from scratch but how. We still have the pot and riser but have no idea how to start from that. One plant, a few or just how many to make a bushy over grown plant so it looks like the one we purchased last year. Does this make sense or should we just forget it since it is already the middle of May. The greenhouse that we bought it from last summer doesn’t have any this year, just small ones in 4” pots. Thanks

If you can only grow it as an annual (and won’t be overwintering it indoors), you can plant a few smaller ones together to make them look fuller as they grow.

It seems counterproductive to talk about the problematic origin of the name wandering Jew, recommend multiple alternative names (including scientific), but then continue to call it wandering Jew in the rest of the article. If the name is anti-Semitic just set a good example and use a different name.

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• Jan 21, 2022

How to Look After Tradescantia Zebrina (Wandering Jew) - A Care Guide

Updated: Mar 8, 2022

Here's some tips on how to care for a Tradescantia Zebrina , so that you can get the best out of this colourful trailing houseplant.

The Wandering Jew

Sometimes named 'The Wandering Jew' or 'Inch Plant', Tradescantia is a genus of around 85 species of herbaceous perennial wildflowers.

The Tradescantia Zebrina 'Violet Hill' is a particularly pretty species, with its silver, purple and green foliage.

With a native range from Mexico to Columbia, this trailing houseplant looks great in hanging pot or basket.

Tradescantia Zebrina thrive in moderate to bright indirect/diffused lighting which will help bring out the best of their colourful stripes.

Tradescantia appreciate the soil to be moist after watering but do not like to sit in lots of water for too long, so you'll want a mix that has adequate drainage. Adding some perlite to your normal soil mix will help this.

Water your Tradescantia Zebrina more regularly in warmer seasons – around once a week (depending on conditions), so that the soil is left moist (but not siting in lots of water) and let the soil dry out between watering. Cut back on this watering regime in winter, when growth slows and water is not as necessary.

If your Tradescantia is in a particularly warm/bright spot, it may need watering a little more often in the growing season to help it cope, but don't drown it!

Tradescantia Zebrina can tolerate normal house humidity conditions fine. Though do appreciate increased humidity. To bring out the best in this coourful plant, you can mist it regularly in the growing season, or place it in a more humid areas such as a kitchen or bathroom, given they have enough light.

Temperature

The 'Violet Hill' Tradescantia is rather versatile and will be happy in household temperatures ranging from 10°C to 24°C. However, it will grow more slowly in colder conditions.

Tradescantia Zebrina is mildly toxic to pets, so keep it away from inquisitive moggies and doggies.

Tradescantia is relatively fast-growing with a max of 15cm tall and 50cm spread. You can cut your plant back to maintain desired a length and look or give it a boost by applying a weak general purpose fertiliser to the pot of your during the summer months.

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Tradescantia Zebrina (Wandering Jew Plant / Inch Plant)

By Tom Knight

About the Wandering Jew Plant

The Wandering Jew , Wandering Dude, Inch Plant , Spiderwort or Tradescantia Zebrina is a houseplant that can be grown in a hanging basket to show off its long beautiful trailing vines or kept contained and compact in a pot.

Very versatile, very easy and very hard to finish off, makes this a very good indoor plant to have around.

Tradescantia make for excellent houseplants as they fit into almost any design scheme

" Wandering Jew Plant for sale " and " How do I care for my Wandering Jew plant? " are two big hitters when it comes to our visitors asking us questions about this popular and easy care houseplant. We would suggest Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk or our Where to Buy article to kick start the buying hunt, and our article below will (hopefully) answer the care question for you.

The common names are based around the plant's ability to easily spread itself.

To start things off, a lot of people also want to understand the common names this plant goes by - the Wandering Jew Plant and the Inch Plant . Both names are centered around its ability to spread and grow very quickly, with little care or intervention from people.

Pro Tip - This is truly one of the simplest houseplants to propagate. From taking cuttings, you can have fully grown plants in less than 6 months.

The Wandering Jew is a legend that basically follows that a Jewish man was cursed to walk the earth forever, therefore like this plant the Jew will, in time, eventually go everywhere .

A number of visitors have contacted us to say the use of this common name today could be misconstrued or even upset Jewish people.

Unfortunately we've not been able to find any specific use of this common name being deliberately used by houseplant owners (or the horticultural industry in general) in an anti-Semitic way (from what we've seen at least). When talking about this plant directly even a Rabbi feels that the name is probably not used with conscious anti-Semitic malice .

That being said, the use and choice of words is often important. Our website is about houseplants and the joy they can bring, and without even trying, this hobby is a very inclusive pastime for everyone.

Our communication to you therefore should reflect this. We'll continue to monitor the common name and use one of the alternatives on our social media channels such as Wandering Dude .

The " inch " plant name probably comes from a combination of the stem's ability to grow about an inch every week, and also because only an inch of this plant is needed to propagate itself.

There are several popular varieties of Tradescantia Zebrina for sale each sharing the recognisable glistening leaf surface and purple underside. T. zebrina 'quadricolor' has green, silver, pink and red leaf markings, whereas T. zebrina 'purpusil' has a green and purple blend.

Tradescantia fluminensis is a very close relative to T. Zebrina (or Zebrina pendula as it used to be called) and is also known as the Wandering Jew Plant. Although it's much less popular these days, its care requirements are identical to T. Zebrina except it will cope better with a slightly darker position.

Where to Buy? - Where can you buy all these interesting varieties you ask, that's easy, check out these Etsy Sellers! * You can also find a broad range as well as some more unusual types over on eBay * * We'll sometimes earn a small commission when you buy something through the affiliate links on our site.

It has smaller leaves compared to its bigger cousin and more green in the leaves. T. fluminensis is therefore very plain looking so search out some of the varieties instead such as T. fluminensis 'variegata' or T. fluminensis 'quicksilver ' or T. fluminensis 'Tricolor', these have cream and white stripes to give it a bit more of a visual punch.

You may find several types growing all in one pot for an extra hit. As the care requirements for each is pretty much the same you can leave them clustered together like this (providing you like this look of course).

Variegated Tradescantia are becoming much easier to find

We should mention that the Wandering Jew Plant outdoors tends to become an invasive species if not properly maintained, as it's difficult to eradicate because if only an inch of it survives it will live on.

That said, our focus is on the indoor grower and so its potentially invasive nature outdoors isn't a problem. The Wandering Jew Plant is safe to have around cats and people, the sap in the leaves and stems, however, can be irritating so either wear gloves or wash your hands immediately if you come into contact with this.

Hi, I'm Tom!

If you're like me and enjoy the challenge of growing houseplants and getting them to thrive, then Ourhouseplants can help. This website shares my knowledge and years of growing plants and provides (hopefully) helpful advice on properly caring for your indoor plant friends.

Wandering Jew Plant Photos

Wandering Jew Plant Care Guide

All Tradescantias including the Wandering Jew Plants need plenty of light to retain the variegated colours on the leaves, if things are too dim these will fade.

On the other side of the coin if too much light is provided leaf scorching is the end result, fortunately however the problem of " too much light " is basically only caused by excessively exposed locations during midsummer.

This is quite hard to provide indoors anyway, so you will only really risk this if you Summer your plants outdoors.

It's important they're placed in plenty of light but protected from very strong sun .

As you would expect from any easy houseplant, the Wandering Jew will cope with droughts and a little water logging from time to time.

Try to avoid this careless watering approach where possible though as a good looking plant needs to be watered correctly. The instruction here is simple, water your Tradescantia regularly and freely during the warmer seasons to try and keep the soil moist for much of the time.

In Winter cut right back because growth will slow or stop completely and the need for water will reduce drastically as a result.

The leaves are almost succulent like and therefore humidity is something you don't have to worry about a great deal. It will be worth misting the plant however if you start to notice the leaves becoming shriveled or brown leaf tips start to appear. You can also grow Tradescantia in an indoor bottle garden .

The opinion is often divided about how much and how often you should feed Wandering Jew Plants.

Some will suggest regular heavy feeding, perhaps as much as every other watering and others will say only once or twice a year at most, otherwise it will encourage the variegated leaves to turn green. The truth of it is that this plant will cope with almost anything you give (or don't give) it.

We fertilise normally (back of the bottle instructions) once a month and the OurHousePlant.com's Inch Plant is as good looking as the day it was brought.

Temperature

Give your plant average warmth conditions for quick growth, a cooler room of around 10°C (50°F) is also suitable too. In fact, the only no no, is exposure to frost or really chilly temperatures for prolonged periods. Frost will do serious damage and chilly locations will cause leaf discoloration.

It's best to repot once a year to give a little more space for the roots to grow, but as with everything else to do with this plant, it will still cope living in the same soil for years. This is handy if you've chosen to grow it in a hanging basket as these can be fiddly to upsize and can also be a little difficult to work with.

When you do repot though, normal potting soil is a great choice, just make sure you avoid mixes with a heavy manure content and don't use ordinary dirt from your yard.

Propagation

When it comes to propagation of Wandering Jews only the Spider Plant is easier and more reliable to work with. The success rate of Spider Plants is something like 99% and the Wandering Jew, 98%, so either way it's still incredibly easy to grow more plants.

You don't need a fancy heat mat or any special containers or tricks. You don't need to use any type of rooting hormone, and it's literally just a case of pushing the cutting a few centimeters into a fresh potting mix, water well and away you go. Trust us, once you know what you're doing it's so easy to do. Below is a break down of each step.

The stems of a mature plant are quite brittle so an accidental knock or an intentional snip on an existing plant will mean you have a Wandering Jew Plant stem cutting almost ready to go.

This broken stem can be used to create multiple plants

You don't need to wait for the fresh cut end to dry out so you could just push it into some soil (even in the existing pot where it was growing before if you're trying to recreate a bushy appearance).

But just replanting the large stem is potentially wasteful as there are several individual plants that can be created from a broken stem, like the one shown in the photo, this cutting could easily become three plants.

The photo above shows three sturdy stems with blue circles around them. Snip them off, making sure each is an inch long and has at least one leaf , although ideally for quicker results you will want a cutting that is several inches long and several leaves already in place.

Trim off any leaves on the lower part of the cuttings , because if any leaves touch the soil they will quickly rot, which could then cause the entire cutting to fail. Instead, remove the lower leaves and discard any unused material.

Below you can see the results of the above instructions - Three cuttings created from the original big one that are now ready to be planted up.

Several sections have been created and the lower leaves removed

Simply fill a container with potting soil or compost and wet it before inserting the stem ends into the soil. Make sure the cuttings are reasonably stable and fixed in place as they need good contact with the soil to stimulate root growth.

Pro Tip - Cuttings will take time to become bushy and to fill a pot by themselves, so because of the ease at which propagation can be done it's usually more effective to take several cuttings and put them all into the same pot.

You can use a rooting hormone, but we've found standard cuttings root with a very high probability anyway so don't bother.

Cuttings do much better if they don't touch each other and if they're planted towards the edges of the container rather than right in the center. Doing this will discourages rotting and the outer edges tend to be warmer than the very heart of the pot which gets the roots growing faster.

Once in place keep the soil moist (but not wet or soggy) and keep the plant warm. New growth should appear in just a few weeks. If you decided to grow several cuttings in a single pot and you notice any gaps later on, you can just push in new cuttings whenever needed to make it bushier.

The cuttings planted up into a pot of compost

You can, of course, grow your individual cuttings in their own pots if that's what you'd prefer to do, but by putting several together like in the photo above it will mean after just a few months this pot will be completely covered with new growth.

All these cuttings will have knitted together nicely to give the illusion of one full plant when in fact it's actually several. This is something that would take almost a year or more if you're going for one stem cutting per pot.

Speed of Growth

The growth rate of Wandering Jew Plants when temperatures are warm is fast. As much as an inch a week in the growing seasons, if good light levels are provided and its watering needs are being met.

Its natural tendency is to "vine" and spread out, so if you aren't growing this in a hanging basket or you want to grow a neat compact looking plant then you must prune regularly to keep it tidy (don't forget the pruned stems can be used to propagate new plants).

Height / Spread

The height of this plant won't ever go beyond 6in / 15cm however every single stem can eventually grow to 6ft / 1.8M.

This type of spread might be what you're looking for of course i.e. if you want it to trail down from a hanging basket perched up high. However the stems can always be kept shorter by pinching out the growing tips on a frequent basis.

The Wandering Jew Plant is another houseplant that is grown for it's foliage rather than the flowers it produces, however they can still add a nice touch when they appear.

The pink or purplish flowers these plants produce will be small and can appear at any time of the year, although it's much more likely in late Spring early Summer.

Inch Plant's aren't normally grown for their flowers, but they'll still bloom indoors sometimes

Are Tradescantia Plants Poisonous?

Generally speaking, Tradescantia is very mildly toxic to pets and people.

While it does little harm if eaten, the sap within the leaves and stems can cause contact dermatitis on the skin, especially in those with sensitive skin or those with an allergy . Wash your hands quickly after handling and you shouldn't have any issues.

Anything else?

Your plant is looking tired, it's become leggy and unattractive, convinced you have done something wrong you Google " Wandering Jew care instructions " to try and find out how to fix things. The answer you'll find will be pretty much the same everywhere because as any seasoned owner of this plant will tell you, this " look " is inevitable.

The vines grow long and quickly. Over time as they age the older leaves yellow and fall off creating the appearance you feel you've caused through poor treatment, which isn't usually the case.

Basically what's happened is that the plant has pushed and spread itself away from the pot it was growing in.

You can start again by taking cuttings and next time prune more frequently to encourage everything to keep closer, compact and neat.

Caring for Wandering Jew Plants Recap

Good Light Needed To keep the beautiful markings you need to provide good to bright light. Avoid direct sun exposure and low light conditions.

Average Watering Tolerant of a wide range of watering styles, it secretly wants to be well watered and for the soil to be moist for much of the time.

Average Temperature Provide temperatures at or above 18°C ( 65°F ) for best results.

Feeding Feed the soil once a month during Spring and Summer.

• No direct sunlight or low light positions
• Do not try and grow your plant in very cold places

Wandering Jew Plant Problems

Normally this is down to age, the oldest leaves will yellow and fall naturally. Although if this happens and you notice there are limp stems too then this is likely to be caused by quite prolonged and extreme underwatering.

Leaves changing to green / lost variegation

Although you can buy a green leaved variety of Wandering Jew, the majority are variegated and therefore if the leaves are changing colour this is obviously a problem.

The cause is almost certainly too little light. Overwatering can dull the colours but this doesn't make them go completely green. The cure therefore is to move the plant to a brighter area in your home.

Crispy brown and translucent leaves

Sometimes you'll find dead brown crispy leaves or some leaves going yellow or translucent, as shown in the photo below.

Tradescantia houseplant with unhappy leaves

This is going to be caused by one of the following (or in some cases a combination).

• Natural Ageing . Close to the heart of the plant tend to be the oldest leaves which are likely receiving very little light due to the shade from the canopy of the outer leaves. It's sensible for the plant to shed these leaves as they're not serving any propose. These leaves should pull off easily, so just remove them.
• Too much light . Excessive direct burning sunlight will quickly scorch and destroy the leaf. These plants want bright light but not full sun.
• Underwatering . Too little water can cause leaves to crisp and dry out. Make sure you're giving your plant ample water during the growing months.

Wandering Jew Plants love water when growing strong, but as with the majority of indoor plants too much watering will eventually rot the stems. Keep the soil moist not water logged.

Bare spindly and / or leggy growth

This is typically the issue discussed in the " anything else " section above, i.e. this appearance is usual after the plant is quite old. It may also be caused however by too little light (the variegation will have faded also), too little water on a regular basis (accompanied with yellowing leaves), or not enough fertilizer .

Wandering Jew Plant leaf tips are brown and shriveled

Although quite unusual in most homes this is caused by placement in a room with very low humidity, i.e. the air is too dry. You might also be trying to grow your plant next to a heat source like a fire or heater.

Either move the plant somewhere else or follow some of our tips to increase humidity in the home. You should resolve this quickly as your Wandering Jew Plant will also be easy prey for Red Spider Mite infestation.

About the Author

Over the last 20 years, Tom has successfully owned hundreds of houseplants and is always happy to share knowledge and lend his horticulture skills to those in need. He is the main content writer for the Ourhouseplants Team .

Also on Ourhouseplants.com

(Article / Gallery) Photo credit of the Wandering Jew T. fluminensi to LucaLuca (Article / Gallery) Photo credit of the Wandering Jew flower to Ruestz

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How to Care for a Wandering Jew Plant – Guide

In today’s post I want to talk to you about wandering Jew plant care Have you ever taken care of this plant?

Wandering Jew plant is a houseplant very easy to care for and easy to propagate. Learn all about how to care for a Wandering Jew plant in this amazing guide.

Table of Contents

Wandering Jew Plant Information

This plant comes from Central America and is very popular thanks to the simplicity of its care. It is a hanging houseplant and is often seen on ceiling supports or covering the floor of patios and gardens.

Perhaps I should have started here: Wandering Jew plant is a botanical family of more than 70 species including Tradescantia Zebrina .

The different varieties differ from each other mainly by the color, shape, and size of their leaves. Tradescantia Zebrina , the species we will talk about today, has oval leaves with pointed tips in green, silver, and purple.

For me, it is a very fun plant that looks great in pots where its stems can hang down, which is when they look their best.

If you are considering caring for a Wandering Jew plant, I can only encourage you to take the plunge. It is very economical and easy to care for the plant, you will be amazed at how hardy it is and how little care it needs! Without a doubt, it is the perfect houseplant for beginners.

• shipped in inproved box to save the plant

Wandering Jew Plant Care Quick View

I tell you at a glance all the care that the Wandering Jew plant needs:

Illumination: high but without direct sun.

Ideal temperature: above 68°F (20 degrees).

Minimum temperature: 53°F (12 degrees).

Watering: moderate. Let the substrate dry out between watering.

Fertilizer: fertilizer for indoor plants during spring.

How to Care for a Wandering Jew Plant

If the quick care sheet was not enough for you and you need more information to take care of your Wandering Jew plant, do not worry because I will tell you in-depth what you should know about this plant.

First of all, I remind you that its care is very simple, that it does not require any special attention, and that the Wandering Jew plant is very grateful and will fill your house with green in exchange for very little.

Let’s go for the care it needs!!!!

For it to grow at a good pace, strong and with intense color, in its leaves, it needs to receive plenty of light without direct sunlight. I advise you to place it in a place with high illumination but where the light enters screened by a curtain or store.

How can you tell if your Wandering Jew plant is getting the right amount of light? If you see that the stems are growing long and leafless, it means it needs more light. The reason its stems are getting longer is that they are growing fast in search of the sun. If you detect these symptoms in your plant, find a new location where it will receive more light.

Temperature

Wandering Jew plant needs warm climates to live. Its ideal temperature is above 68°F (20 degrees).

It does not tolerate cold climates or temperatures below 53°F (12 degrees) so if you live in places with cold winters, you will have to grow it as a houseplant.

The Wandering Jew plant is very easy to take care of and does not give any headache as long as we water it moderately.

Problems begin when there is excess humidity or when the roots of the plant become waterlogged. It is important to be moderate with the irrigations because once we overdo it with the water there is no turning back.

I will never get tired of saying it, it is better to water less than the other way around because a plant is easier to recover from lack of watering than from excess and with the Wandering Jew plant the situation is no different.

It needs moderate watering and it is also a species that tolerates “controlled” drought, so if you have doubts, it is preferable to postpone watering.

What is the watering pattern? The most important thing is to pay attention to the substrate and water only when the soil is dry. The frequency of watering will depend on the climate and conditions of your Wandering Jew plant but we could establish the following guideline:

Once a week in summer

Once a fortnight in winter

However, if you notice that the plant’s soil dries out earlier, advance the watering and adapt them to its needs.

It is incredible how fast this plant grows. You will be surprised to see its rate of development; it is really impressive. However, we can always help it and provide it with more nutrients by fertilizing during its growing season, which is the summer.

My advice is to use fertilizer for indoor plants together with the irrigation water in the quantities and time limits indicated by the manufacturer of the product. Be careful and do not abuse fertilizers as excess fertilizers can be harmful to the plant.

We recommend applying this fertilizer to improve the development of this beautiful plant ( Order it here ).

Propagation Of Wandering Jew Plant

Propagating this plant is a pleasure! Because it takes root very quickly and grows at a very good rate. You should propagate it in two ways: by division of the plant or by cuttings (cutting a stem of the plant and putting it in water until it takes root).

Pests and Diseases Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jew plant is a very pest-resistant houseplant. It does not often get sick or attacked by bugs, but if it is affected by parasites, the most common are aphid, mealybug, or red spider mite.

Frequent Problems Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jew plant is a hardy plant and easy to care for but despite this, it can occasionally suffer from the following problems:

Wilted leaves turning yellow: excessive heat and dryness.

Long, bare stems: lack of light

Leaves with very uniform color and no variegation: lack of light.

Do you want my advice? If you have doubts and you don’t know whether to go for a wandering Jew plant or not, my recommendation is that you don’t think twice and get one.

It is the perfect plant for beginners or people who do not have much time to take care of it. It will require little attention and will look beautiful all year round. What more can you ask from a plant?

We hope this article on how to care for a Wandering Jew plant will be useful. We recommend our article about How to Get Rid of Mold in Plant Soil – Effective and Simple Ways .

About Henry Morgan

Henry Morgan is an agronomist horticulture founder of The Garden Style Company and The Garden Style Website. He previously worked for Mondelēz International as an Agronomist Engineer specializing in agricultural products management in highly populated areas. In 2000, Henry started working with farmer-producers in agricultural businesses selling wholesale fresh produce and retail plants in Van Buren, Arkansas. Nowadays, Henry lives in California, where he offers expert consulting services for organic vegetable gardening. As a science writer working with his wife, Julia, Henry shares his passion for gardening and farming, trying to reach and teach as many folks as possible.

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Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia or Spiderwort): Care, Types, Images and More

The wandering Jew plant is a common name for different species of plants that belong to the Tradescantia genus. There are around 75 different types of plants in Tradescantia genus and some are called inch plants, spiderwort, striped wandering Jew, Boat Lily, Purple Queen, or flowering inch plant. Wandering Jew plants are great house plants because they are relatively easy to care for. They are also easy to grow because the wandering Jew plant propagates easily from cuttings.

Some types of wandering Jew plants have green and gold leaves, some have reddish leaves, and others have green fuzzy leaves. There are also types of wandering Jew plants that flower. Depending on the species, the wandering Jew plant could have purple, white, or pink flowers.

How to care for wandering Jew plant : For the Tradescantia or spiderwort plant to thrive, grow in a plenty of indirect light and plant in fertile, moist potting soil with good drainage. Make sure the soil isn’t too dry or too damp and keep medium humidity levels. The ideal temperature range is between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (23°C). You can fertilize every four weeks during the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer.

In this article, you will find all you need to know about this delightful houseplant. You will also get tips and ideas on how to care for your wandering Jew plants.

Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia or Spiderwort) – Overview of the Plant and Its Flowers

The botanical name for wandering Jew plant is Tradescantia zebrina and is also called the inch plant. However, the name wandering Jew is given to many herbaceous perennial plants in the Tradescantia genus. ( 1 )

Species of Tradescantias naturally grow outdoors in countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and Australia. Varieties of wandering Jew plants also thrive well indoors, where, like their garden varieties, they grow well when it is warm, sunny, and moderately humid.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, various varieties of Tradescantias are regarded as invasive plants in the wild. However, it is the fast-growing nature of spiderworts, wandering Jews, and inch plants that makes them perfect houseplants. ( 2 )

Many people like to grow wandering Jews or spiderworts in hanging baskets or grow them in pots to decorate a garden.

What does a wandering Jew look like?

Plants from the Tradescantia varieties have leaves that seem to grow in all directions (hence the term “wandering Jew”).

One of the distinct features about foliage on wandering Jews is that many of them have striped leaves. Sometimes, the leaves can be purple and silver stripes, whereas other types of Tradescantias have leaves that are almost all silver. ( 3 )

You may also notice that some varieties of wandering Jew plant have different colors on the underneath of the leaf. For example, the Tradescantia zebrina has green/silver leaves on the upper side and deep red or burgundy colors on the underside.

Wandering Jew flower

Wandering Jew houseplants also produce attractive flowers. These flowers can sometimes be white or can range in color from pink to various shades of lilac and purple. ( 3 )

However, plant lovers don’t usually grow wandering Jews indoors or outdoors for their blooms. It’s the beautiful variation of leaf colors that makes various types of Tradescantias so desirable houseplants.

Types of Wandering Jew (Spiderwort) Plants

The most popular types of Tradescantia plants to keep indoors are Tradescantia fluminensis ( spiderwort ), Tradescantia pallida ( purple heart ), and Tradescantia zebrina ( wandering Jew ).

Wandering Jew or inch plant ( Tradescantia zebrina )

This type of  wandering Jew houseplant has purple and green leaves with a stripe pattern that resembles zebra’s stripes. There are types of wandering Jews that have bluish green leaves and purple hues on the underside.

Tradescantia fluminensis (spiderwort)

There are a number of types of Tradescantia that are called spiderwort. This is distinguished from some Tradescantias as it has ovel shiny dark green leaves with pointed tips which are slightly fleshy .

Picture of wandering Jew plant with white flowers

Tradescantia pallida (purple heart)

This type of spiderwort plant is also commonly referred to as wandering Jew. The T. pallida houseplants have vibrant purple leaves and light pink flowers when they bloom.

Wandering jew plant with deep purple leaves and light purplish-pink flowers

Tradescantia callisia

The leaves of T. callisia varieties are sometimes referred to as creeping inch plants. They have remarkably stripy leaves made up of green and white stripes.

Picture of green wandering jew

Wandering Jew Plant Care (How to Grow Spiderwort or Tradescantia)

Caring for wandering Jew plants is fairly simple and straightforward. All plants in the Tradescantia genus enjoy moist soil, sunny but indirect sunlight, and warm conditions.

So, it doesn’t matter if you have fuzzy leaf Tradescantias, purple queen varieties, spiderworts, or wandering Jews, they all require the same type of care.

Light requirements for Tradescantias

To make sure that wandering Jew plants grow successfully, they require a good amount of light. This ensures that they grow with healthy leaves that have a vibrant green, silver, purple, or lilac colors.

The best place to place wandering Jew plant or spiderworts is in an east- or west-facing location. This means that they get plenty of natural light without being in direct sunlight when the sun is at its strongest.

The only exception is if you have Tradescantia pallida plants with dark purples leaves. They usually thrive in direct sunlight, although you should regularly check them in the summertime to make sure the sun isn’t too strong.

One sign that your Tradescantia isn’t getting enough light is if the color of their leaves starts to fade.

Best growing temperature for Spiderwort or Tradescantia

One of the reasons why wandering Jew plants are good for the home is that they thrive in room temperature.

The best temperatures for growing any type of Tradescantia plant is between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (23°C). The houseplants also thrive in conditions that are described as “average humidity.”

If you grow Tradescantias outdoors, you should be aware of a drop in night temperatures and lower temperatures during winter. You should bring Tradescantias indoors if the temperature drops.

Best watering techniques for wandering Jew plant care

To care for your inch plant, spiderwort, or wandering Jew, you should keep the soil moist.

The best way to water a wandering Jew is to water the soil thoroughly and let the water drain out the bottom. Another way to water your purple house plant is to put water in the plant pot tray and allow the plant to soak up as much as it needs.

Some beginners who start caring for houseplants such as Tradescantias for the first time buy a soil moisture gauge to help get the soil moisture levels just right.

When it comes to proper watering for your wandering Jew, always make sure the soil isn’t too dry or too damp. Usually, weekly watering in the summertime is enough to keep your Tradescantia growing well.

The best fertilizer for wandering Jew houseplants

The reason why Tradescantias are so easy to care for is that they don’t usually require any feeding.

If you decide to encourage your inch plant or spiderwort to grow faster, then choose a liquid organic fertilizer mixed at half strength and use once a month.

Most houseplant growers don’t feed their wandering Jew plants in the fall or winter as they tend to become “leggy” or “straggly.”

Which type of soil to use for Tradescantias

To properly care for wandering Jew varieties of houseplants, you only need to plant them in regular potting soil.

How to prune wandering Jew plants

In time, Tradescantia plants require some cutting back and pruning. This helps to give your houseplant a bushier appearance and also gives you plenty of cuttings to propagate.

For Tradescantia pruning, you just need to pinch off the stem tips to leave about ¾ of the length. This will encourage your plant to grow better and become more attractive.

Growing Plants from Wandering Jew Cuttings

Even for the most novice of houseplant owners, propagating any type of Tradescantia plant is very easy. After you have cut back your “leggy” wandering Jew stems, you will have a large number of cuttings that you can use to grow new house plants.

How to propagate wandering Jew plant leaves

To prepare your wandering Jew cuttings or purple heart plant cuttings for propagation, you need a couple of stems about 1-2 inches long. Remove all the leaves apart from 2 or 3 at the end of the stem.

There are 2 ways you can grow wandering Jew plants from cutting:

• The first way is to just put a cutting in potting soil and wait for it to grow. All you have to do is make sure that the soil is kept moist and not overly damp.
• The other way to grow a Tradescantia from a cutting is to put the stem in water. You should notice that new roots start to grow within a week. When you notice new roots growing, you can transfer your cuttings to a pot to grow a new houseplant.

Wandering Jew Outdoor Plant Care

Tradescantia plants are great garden plants and grow well outdoors in warmer zones in the U.S. (USDA growing zones 9-11). In fact, it is because they grow so well outside in warmer countries and are quite invasive that they are classed as a weed in certain countries.

You can easily care for any Tradescantia plants to add color and beauty to your garden. Purple hanging plants or wandering Jew vines with stripy leaves can grace any patio, doorway, or garden area.

As with caring for wandering Jews or spiderworts indoors, Tradescantia plants growing outdoor should be protected from direct sunlight. So, place your plants in shady areas of the garden. But it’s good to remember that some bright light will help the wandering Jew plant produce more flowers.

Temperature

Also, frost can damage the plant, so, if you live in areas where fall and winter temperatures drop below 10°F (12°C), you should take them indoor and continue to grow them as houseplants.

Problems with Wandering Jew Plant (Spiderwort)

Even though it is relatively easy to care for wandering Jew plants, you can still come across certain problems.

Let’s look at some growing tips for Tradescantia plants to avoid or remedy some common problems.

The most common pest when growing wandering Jews indoors are bugs such as spider mites or aphids . The appearance of these pests on your bushy spiderwort or inch plant may be a sign that conditions are too dry.

To help remedy the problems of pests on your Tradescantia, mist the leaves regularly and make sure the soil is moist enough. You may need to wash off the mites with water to help get rid of the infestation.

One of the beauties about caring for wandering Jew plants indoors or outdoors is that they are not susceptible to disease. Usually, any discoloration of the leaves or poor growth is connected to the soil being too dry or too damp.

Fungal infections

Overwatering spiderworts, inch plants, or wandering Jews can cause a fungal growth called botrytis to develop in the roots.

Brown leaves

As with most problems associated with caring for Tradescantias, brown leaves can also indicate that the growing environment isn’t right. The leaves of your wandering Jew could have turned brown because of too much or too little sunlight. Also, too much watering can affect leaf health.

Where to Buy Wandering Jew Plants

Many garden centers and online stores stock many different varieties of wandering Jews. You will also find that Tradescantia cuttings are available online.

Because many different types of wandering Jews are so easy to grow yourself, you could ask a friend for a cutting if they have the plant. You can also get more Tradescantia houseplant or garden plants by propagating cuttings from plants you already have.

FAQ Related to Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia)

Do they need any pruning.

To properly care for wandering Jews, the leaves and stems require pruning. The stems can grow quite long and start losing their leaves from the base. The best time to prune any Tradescantia plant is just before the growing season in late winter or early spring.

You may also find that Tradescantias grow better if you give them a mild prune in late summer.

How to prevent wandering Jew roots from rotting?

Go easy on the watering to stop Tradescantia plants’ roots from rotting. Water them enough to keep the soil moist during summertime and only occasionally in the winter.

Are wandering Jew plant leaves toxic to animals?

While not toxic to cats or dogs, the leaves of wandering Jew plants can cause irritation. If you have pets that like to nibble on leaves, you can still benefit from the beauty of Tradescantias if you grow the outdoor plant in hanging baskets.

Can I grow my Tradescantia plant outdoors?

Yes, you certainly can. Wandering Jew plants grow well out of doors in warm climates. During the summertime, you can move your indoor houseplants to the garden and place them away from direct sunlight.

Dashes of purple colors, bright pinks, or interesting green and purple stripped leaves can make an interesting feature in any garden or balcony.

Can you train a wandering Jew plant?

Tradescantia plants are easy to train because their stems can grow very long and you can wrap them around objects. Wandering Jew plant stems can grow up on trellises or obelisks or up around any other item.

Heavily pruning wandering Jews in late winter can also help to train the plant to grow into a colorful bush.

How fast does wandering Jew plant grow?

Tradescantia cuttings should start growing roots within a week or so. Once the plant is established, you can expect it to grow about an inch every week. Some people claim this is the reason that some Tradescantias are called inch plants.

Can Tradescantia houseplants cause allergies?

The sap of wandering Jew plants or prolonged skin exposure to its leaves could cause allergic reactions.

The journal Allergy reports that indoor plants such as Tradescantia can also cause symptoms such as itching of the throat, swelling, wheezing, and runny eyes and nose. ( 4 )

Do wandering Jew varieties have any health benefits?

Although not widely used, extracts from Tradescantia zebrina have certain medicinal properties. You can buy inch plant herbal liquid extracts that are said to have many antioxidant properties.

Researchers have found that therapeutic compounds in Tradescantia extracts have antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant uses. ( 5 )

Related articles:

• Moses In Cradle Care: How to Grow Tradescantia spathacea
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