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How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant (Your Complete Guide)

When it comes to houseplants able to brighten up indoor spaces, it doesn’t get much more colorful than the variegated foliage of a Wandering Jew plant ( Tradescantia zebrina ). With their hardy nature and ease of care, they are a perfect choice for those feeling they kill everything they bring indoors. We’ve listed a quick summary of their care below.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant: Grow your Wandering Jew in well-drained soil, kept moist but not soggy through regular watering. Create humidity, keep indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) and fertilize monthly.

Continue reading because we’ve taken all the guesswork out of caring for your Wandering Jew and keeping it healthy and happy for years to come.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jew plants belong in the Commelinaceae family, which includes around 652 different species. The family is made up of herbs, climbers and several epiphytes, with some used as outdoor and indoor ornamentals like Wandering Jew.

There are three different plants commonly known as Wandering Jews; Tradescantia fluminensis , Tradescantia pallida , and Tradescantia zebrina. Of the three, Tradescantia zebrina is the most common one grown and has the most eye-catching and colorful foliage. All three have the same requirements for care and good growth.

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, Wandering Jew is classified as a tender evergreen perennial that performs well planted outdoors in frost-free regions. Those living in cooler environments can easily grow it as an indoor plant planted either in containers or in hanging baskets. Outdoors it’s typically used as a quick-growing groundcover.

Although a common name shared with several very different plants, Wandering Jew is often called Inch Plant , due to the leaf margins being spaced about an inch apart. You may also find Wandering Jew listed as Zebrina Pendula , but is synonymous with Tradescantia zebrina and is the same plant.

When it comes to Wandering Jew plants, it’s all about the attention-grabbing foliage. The succulent stems give way to leaves that are a deep purple on their undersides with the upper portion striped in silvery-gray and greenish-blue. The oval leaves grow to about 2.5 inches long and the stems grow about 2 feet long. It makes a beautiful plant used in hanging baskets, with the long stems cascading over the side.

Even grown indoors, Wandering Jews have a fast rate of growth and before you know it, the plants will be spilling over your container’s or hanging basket’s sides. Whereas some indoor plants seem to take forever to fill out, this isn’t a problem with properly cared for Wandering Jew plants.

There are several other cultivars (varieties) of Wandering Jew, which include:

• ‘Purpusii’ has unstriped, hairy foliage that is either solid red or reddish-green.
• ‘Quadricolor’ produces metallic-green foliage striped in red, white and green.

Wandering Jew plants are the ideal candidates for beginner houseplant gardeners due to their hardiness and robust growth. Below we’ve outlined all the basics of their proper care, as well as identifying and preventing any potential problems so you can enjoy your Wandering Jew for years to come. The best indoor plants are those that are happy and healthy.

Soil Conditions For Wandering Jew Plants

Wandering Jew plants tolerate growing in a wide range of soils provided they drain well. Although they do tolerate and prefer moist conditions, the soil must drain properly to prevent root and stem rot from occurring. Therefore, it is necessary to use a lighter weight soil mixture in your pots rather than heavier soils that don’t provide proper drainage.

Straight potting soils are usually too heavy, retain too much moisture and have a tendency to leave the soil soggy. You can use a heavier potting soil in your soil mixture, just be sure to incorporate a lighter soil mix to provide the Wandering Jew the drainage required for healthy growth.

Commercial potting mixes work well and many have a slow-release fertilizer mixed in, which cuts down on the need for frequent feedings. The slow-release blends usually continue to fertilize the Wandering Jew for about three months.

You can also make your own soil by mixing several ingredients together such as:

• Using equal parts of compost and a potting mix.
• Mixing equal portions of compost, peat and potting soil or a potting mix.
• Using equal portions of a course sand, compost and potting soil or a potting mix.

Whatever soil you choose to use, just make sure it drains well and contains a bit of fertility for the best performance of your Wandering Jew plants.

Preferred Light Conditions

Although Wandering Jew plants tolerate lower light conditions than many houseplants, to help retain those striking colors the plant is known for, place the container in a location indoors receiving filtered sunlight. If your plant starts losing some of the color in the foliage, move it to a location that receives a bit more light.

In addition, if the lower portion of the stems start suffering leaf drop, the Wandering Jew isn’t get enough light and needs to be relocated to a brighter area inside the home.

Once the warm weather of spring arrives and if you’d like to give your Wandering Jew a bit of a break from its indoor location, place it in an outdoor spot that receives partial sun to partial shade. Moving it to an outdoor location with too much sun may leave the foliage sunburned.

Indoor Temperature Requirements

In the Wandering Jew’s native environment, temperatures are consistently warm without the threat of frosts or freezes. Generally, if the indoor temperatures inside your home are comfortable for you, they will also be comfortable for your Wandering Jew plant.

Indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) are a good range for your Wandering Jew plants. Plants grown in this temperature range produce the healthiest growth.

If you gave your plants a break from their indoor location, just make sure to bring them back indoors before the cold weather of winter strikes.

Water Requirements

Wandering Jews prefer soils that are regularly kept moist, not soggy, compared to many indoor houseplants. However, this doesn’t mean the soil should be kept so wet they never begin to dry out. Keeping the soil too wet for too long promotes rot to set in and you may end up killing your Wandering Jew plants. Your Wandering Jew is more likely to forgive you if you forget to water over watering too much and too often.

A good rule to follow is if the soil starts to feel like it’s about to become very dry, apply water. It’s easy to know exactly when to water by:

• Sticking your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to feel dry, water until it runs from the container’s bottom drain holes.

During the warm growing season of spring through summer, you can probably expect to water once each week. However, during winter when the Wandering Jew goes into dormancy (its growth slows), you will probably only need to water about every other week.

Humidity Requirements

Compared to many tropical plants grown indoors, Wandering Jew plants aren’t quite as fussy about humid conditions , but still need some humidity for the best growth and performance. Don’t let the thought of creating a humid environment stress you out because replicating humidity for your indoor plants is relatively easy and basic.

• Fill a spray bottle with room temperature water and mist the Wandering Jew several times each week.
• If you’re growing the Wandering Jew in a container and not in a hanging basket, you can set the pot on a tray of pebbles. As you water, the water seeps from the bottom drain holes onto the tray of pebbles and as it evaporates, it creates a humid environment around the plant.
• If your bathroom gets the appropriate amount of light for the Wandering Jew, you can allow it to grow there. Due to the regular use of water in a bathroom, moisture is created, creating the humidity the Wandering Jew requires.

Fertilizer Needs

Unless the soil mixture contains a slow-release fertilizer blend, which feeds the Wandering Jew for about three months, fertilizing monthly is sufficient for proper growth. You have several choices when it comes to fertilizer you can use for your Wandering Jew plant.

• Use a houseplant fertilizer applied at half-strength, applied when you do your regular watering.
• Use an all-purpose, water-soluble blend for outdoor and indoor plants, applied at half-strength and used during your regular watering schedule.
• If your soil mixture didn’t contain a slow-release fertilizer or it’s been about three months, if one was contained in the soil, you can reapply slow-release fertilizer granules sprinkled over the top of the soil. Follow the package directions on amounts.

When it comes to the appropriate time of year to fertilize the Wandering Jew, only fertilize while it’s actively growing, which is spring throughout summer. In winter, the plant goes through a dormant stage and all growth slows, so there is no need to apply fertilizer. Wait until spring arrives before you resume fertilizing the plant.

The one thing you will need to pay attention to when it comes to fertilizing is the buildup of salts in the soil, which can result in foliage burns. Wandering Jew plants have a low tolerance to salty soils. Preventing any salt buildup is relatively simple:

• If the plant isn’t too big, you can take the entire pot to your sink or bathtub and allow water to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes, flushing out any salts.
• If the plant is too big for indoor flushing, take it outside and allow water from the hose to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes. Allow the water to drain and then bring the plant back indoors.

Pruning Requirements

The pruning needs of Wandering Jew plants are low. If you want to control the size of the plant and promote bushier growth, you can pinch off the tips of the stems. To keep the plant always looking its best, you can trim off any broken, dead or damaged stems and leaves throughout the year.

When using pruning tools to trim your Wandering Jew always make sure they are clean so you don’t transfer any diseases or pests to your plant. This is as easy as wiping off the blades with alcohol.

Some people experience skin irritations when handling the cuttings due to the sap , so if you are unsure if you are one of these unlucky gardeners, it might be best to wear gardening gloves when pruning or handling Wandering Jew cuttings.

Potting Needs

If you purchased your Wandering Jew already potted in a hanging basket or 1-gallon container, it should thrive as is for a year or more before it requires repotting. However, if you received rooted cuttings in smaller containers like 4- to 6-inch pots, you most likely need to repot them into something a bit larger so they can grow properly.

This also cuts down on the need for repotting in a month or two as the Wandering Jew begins to outgrow its present pot.

When it comes to the pot’s material, any type works quite well for growing this plant from clay to plastic. However, if you grow your Wandering Jew in a pot made of a porous material like terra cotta, the soil is going to dry quicker than if it was growing in a plastic pot. This means you will need to water more frequently.

Once your Wandering Jew starts getting too big for its present container, it’s time to repot it into one that is around 1- to 2-inches larger. Although the plant likes a moist soil, make sure the pot has bottom drainage to prevent the possibility of rot due to conditions that are too wet.

If you like, you can dress the container up by placing the draining one inside a decorative pot without bottom drain holes, but be sure to empty out any additional water once the inner pot thoroughly drains.

I think a decorative outer pot can add so much to the beauty of your houseplants, so I do this with almost all of my houseplants. Read this article which discusses my favorite decorative planters if you need some inspiration.

Potting and repotting your Wandering Jew is basic:

• Gently remove the Wandering Jew from its present container, being careful not to break the succulent stems.
• Fill the new container that drains about a quarter of the way full with a fertile, well-drained potting mix.
• Check the Wandering Jew’s root system and if it’s growing bunched together and filled the previous pot, gently tease the roots apart with your hands.
• Place the Wandering Jew into the new container and finish filling it with soil.
• Water the Wandering Jew until it runs from the bottom drain holes and place in a bright location indoors.

Propagating New Plants

When it comes to propagating new plants, Wandering Jew is about as easy as it gets. Even if you have never done this before you should have success starting its cuttings. When you trim to control its size, don’t throw those cuttings away but use them to start additional plants.

You have two choices when it comes to rooting your cuttings and both are easy. The first thing you will want to do is obtain your cuttings. Trim off a 4- to 6-inch cutting from the mother plant and you’re ready to start rooting.

Rooting in Soil

• Fill a 6-inch to 1-gallon container that drains with a rich, well-drained potting mix. Water the soil to settle it.
• Make about a 2-inch indentation in the soil where you want to place the Wandering Jew cutting.
• Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting where you will be inserting it into the soil. You can do this by pinching them off with your fingers.
• Place the cutting into the indentation and firm the soil up around it with your fingers.
• Water the soil again and place the cutting in the same light conditions where the mother plant was thriving. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Roots should form in about four weeks and after about eight weeks, the Wandering Jew cuttings should form a new root system.

Rooting in Water

• Fill a glass jar or plastic container with about 3-inches of room temperature water.
• Pinch off any leaves from the section of the Wandering Jew cutting that will be submerged in the water.
• Place the cutting in the water and situate the container in a bright indoor location.
• Change the water in the container about every other week, or when cloudy.

You should start seeing new roots form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots are several inches long, you can repot the cuttings into a draining container filled with fertile, well-drained soil.

Disease Problems

Wandering Jew plants grown indoors are hardy and don’t have major diseases that plague them. However, rot is their biggest enemy and caused by soils that are too heavy and do not drain properly, retaining too much water. Overwatering and planting in pots that don’t drain are other causes of rot problems.

When rot rears its ugly head you’ll notice the bottom stems, as well as the foliage turning black, becoming mushy and the entire plant collapses. If this happens and seems to start affecting the entire Wandering Jew plant, you can trim off healthy, unaffected sections of the stems and repot into fresh, clean soil. Since there is no saving the rot-infected sections, you will have no choice but to discard those portions of the plant.

Steps for preventing problems with rot include:

• Using lightweight potting mixes that drain well and aren’t too heavy, which leads to the soil remaining too wet for too long. Some types of potting soils have a tendency to be heavy and need mixing with a potting mix, compost, coarse sand or peat.
• Don’t overwater your Wandering Jew. Although they prefer growing in moist soils, this doesn’t mean constantly soggy soil. Stick your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to become dry, apply water until it runs from the bottom of the pot.
• Make sure the pot you are growing your Wandering Jew in has bottom drainage. If you have placed the pot inside a decorative one that doesn’t drain, make sure to empty all the water from it after you have watered.

Pest Problems

Although indoor Wandering Jew plants are not big candidates for problems with pests, several can cause an infestation and problems. As with any pest problem indoors or outside in the garden, quick control is always the best option to keep your plants healthy. It also assures the pests do not migrate to your other plants causing even bigger problems and headaches.

The pests most likely to infest your indoor Wandering Jew plants are:

• Aphids: Aphids come in a host of different colors and are tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking insects that usually congregate in large masses along the Wandering Jew’s stems. In large infestations, they can kill the plant or severely weaken it. If the infestation is small, you can wipe the pests off the stems with a moist cloth. However, if the infestation is large, you will probably have to spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the package.
• Spider Mites: Spider mites are another sap-sucking pest that if left unchecked can quickly kill or weaken the Wandering Jew. It is easy to tell if you have a spider mite problem as these tiny, white pests spin fine webbing that covers the plant. Spider mites can be the bane of houseplants so quick control is necessary. Use an insecticidal soap or Neem and spray the entire plant, reapplying as suggested on the product label.
• Whiteflies:   Whiteflies are other sap-sucking pests that can quickly kill or weaken your Wandering Jew if not quickly controlled. They are another easily identifiable pest, as just touching the plant sends the tiny whiteflies from the plant’s foliage and into the air, hovering right above it. Control the problem with an insecticidal soap or Neem, spraying the entire plant and reapplying as suggested on the product’s label.
• Mealybugs:   Sap-sucking mealybugs show up on the Wandering Jew as cottony masses covering the stems and crotches of the foliage. Control the problem by spraying the entire plant with insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the product’s label. If the infestation is small, you can also wipe them from the stems and leaves with a damp cloth.

Is Wandering Jew A Perennial?

Wandering Jew plants are considered a tender, evergreen perennial. Unlike annuals, and if grown in preferred conditions with proper care, Wandering Jews should live and keep on growing for quite a few years, both indoors and outside.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Plant’s Leaves Losing Their Color?

If your Wandering Jew is growing in light conditions that are too low, the leaves will start to lose their color and become duller. When grown indoors and to keep the bright color on the foliage, make sure the Wandering Jew is growing in a location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew’s Leaves Dropping?

Wandering Jew plants grown in light conditions that are too low will start dropping leaves at the base of their stems. Solve the problem by moving the plant to an indoor location that is brighter. For the best leaf color and growth, they prefer an indoor location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Cuttings Rotting In Soil?

If your Wandering Jew cuttings are rotting in soil it could be one of two things causing the problem. The soil you are growing the cuttings in may be infected with a fungus that is infecting them with rot.

You can solve the problem by planting the cutting in a sterile, well-drained potting mix. Another cause might be the soil is remaining too soggy and the container doesn’t drain.

Make sure you are using a soil that drains well and doesn’t remain soggy, do not overwater and use a container with bottom drainage. Water the cuttings when to top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Can I Root Wandering Jew Cuttings In Water?

Wandering Jew cuttings root quite well in water. Fill a container with several inches of water, remove any leaves that would be submerged and stick the cut end into the water.

Fill the container with fresh, clean water about every other week. You should start seeing root form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots get several inches in length, you can repot the cuttings in a draining container with rich, well-drained soil.

Are Wandering Jew Plants Toxic?

When it comes to humans, Wandering Jew’s sap can cause skin irritation in humans that are allergic to it. Therefore, it’s best to wear gardening gloves when handling or pruning the plant.

The plant is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, due to its tendency to cause skin allergies and dermatitis. To keep your pets and children safe, make sure you situate your indoor Wandering Jew out of the reach of both.

If you’d like some indoor plants that are non-toxic, check out this article which discusses my favorite non-toxic houseplants.

Do Wandering Jew Plants Produce Blooms?

When grown outdoors, Wandering Jews produce small, three-petaled, lavender flowers, but the plant rarely ever blooms grown indoors as a houseplant.

Can I Grow Wandering Jew Outdoors?

Wandering Jew plants grow as perennials planted outdoors in frost-free climates, however, those with cooler weather can plant outdoors and treat it as an annual.

What’s The Growth Rate For Wandering Jew Plants?

When grown in proper conditions with proper care, Wandering Jew plants are considered fast growers.

Many thanks for reading my guide to Wandering Jew care. This really is a great indoor plant for your home. Beautiful and easy to care for, its hard to go wrong.

If you want more help with looking after your indoor plants, check out the rest of my articles , and head over to my resources section , where I have some great recommended resources, books and equipment to help you grow healthier, more beautiful plants.

Wandering Jew Plant – Ultimate Care Guide

By: Author Daniel

Posted on Last updated: September 18, 2023

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You are reading this guide to learn more about the Wandering Jew Plant and its care . I have had this plant at home for many years and write about all the growing aspects in this guide.

Wandering Jew Plant Care Takeaways

What is the wandering jew plant.

The Wandering Jew, or Tradescantia zebrina, by its scientific name (old name = Zebrina pendula) is native to Mexico. It is not to be confused with Tradescantia albiflora, which also goes by Wandering Jew and has very similar care needs. 

Tradescantia zebrina has attractive foliage, sporting exciting zebra-patterned leaves. It also flowers. But when kept as a houseplant, this rarely ever happens. It is a fast-growing and excellent groundcover, according to the University of Florida .

W andering Jew Plant Care

To keep your Wandering Jew plant thriving, ensure it receives bright, indirect sunlight. Keep it in average room temperatures of 60-75°F (16-24°C). Fertilize once a month during spring and summer. In winter, relocate the plant to a cooler area with temperatures of 54-59°F (12-15°C).

Table of Contents

Tradescantia zebrina Growing guide

Tradescantia zebrina care is pretty straightforward, but it certainly can’t hurt to glance at the most important things to consider when caring about this herbaceous perennial plant. 

So, without further ado, let’s see how you can make your Wandering Jew, aka the Inch plant, as happy as possible.

Any good potting soil will do for your Wandering Jew. For instance, this could be Miracle Gro potting soil readily available online in stores like Amazon. 

But these plants not only feel very comfortable in soil but can also be kept in hydroponics .

Sunlight is a vital aspect when it comes to the well-being of most houseplants. Some houseplants do well with moderate sunlight, while others only thrive (or flower) when a certain level of sunlight is guaranteed.

The Wandering Jew does best in bright, indirect sunlight . 

If you are unsure what that means, please look at our Light Levels article.   

The Wandering Jew, a tropical native, thrives best when the root ball is always well moisturized. Still, waterlogging should be avoided whenever possible, as this could lead to root rot .

This tropical plant does not enjoy limy water. Use soft water whenever possible. Rainwater and distilled water are very good choices. 

Temperature

People who own an Inch plant and keep it outside run the risk of exposing it to cold temperatures. This is where indoor plant owners have the upper hand.

Wandering Jews can thrive with average room temperatures of 60 to 75°F (16 to 24°C) if it doesn’t drop for long periods. Anything below 12°C for an extended period could be fatal for your Wandering Jew.

Wandering Jews prefer a humidity of around 70%

The perennial, herbaceous Wandering Jew plant is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, so it should not surprise you that it likes a good deal of humidity. 

To ensure high humidity levels, regularly misting your plant is a very good idea. A hand mister filled with water does the trick. 

As for the location, you may want to keep your Wandering Jew in the bathroom , as this is usually the place in the house with the highest humidity. 

Feed your plant once a month during spring and summer. In winter, fertilizing is not necessary. 

Also, fertilization of the Wandering Jew is only necessary from the second year of cultivation or after repotting. 

Propagation

It is best propagated through stem tip cuttings. Propagating the Wandering Jew is an easy task.

Wandering Jews don’t get very tall. They might reach a height of about 14 inches (36 cm) when kept indoors. They spread to about 10 inches (25 cm).

(Re)potting

The thing with the Wandering Jew is that it grows fast , hence its nickname “Inch plant.” Because of its fast-growing pace, the plant usually gets very leggy, and leaves are often lost near the base of the plant. 

Repotting is pivotal for keeping the root system healthy regardless of the actual plant species. However, how often a houseplant needs to be repotted depends on various factors.

Some houseplants grow incredibly fast, so they need to be repotted often. Others, on the other hand, grow very slowly, so repotting is not a top priority. 

That said, repotting your Wandering Jew occasionally is a good idea. 

How long does a Wandering Jew live?

As far as the longevity of Wandering Jews goes, they often don’t get older than 2 to 3 years.  

Wandering Jew Watering

Water about once every 5-7 days in spring and summer. Keep the soil slightly humid. Do not let the Wandering Jew dry out between waterings. Use your index finger to check if the soil is dry down 1-2 inches of soil (2.5 – 5 cm).

Reduce watering to every 10-14 days in autumn and winter.

Wandering Jew Propagation

The Wandering Jew roots very easily . The plant can easily be propagated through stem tip cuttings.

When propagating your Wandering Jew, make sure that your plant is in a healthy condition. 

Please follow our step-to-step guide to propagate your Wandering Jew through stem tip cuttings.

Propagation through stem tip cuttings

• Identify the plant that you want to replicate. It should have healthy growth and plenty of stems. 
• Make clean cuts on sections that are three to six inches in length . 
• Use a sharp knife and carefully cut the leaves on the stem’s bottom half.
• If you want, you can dip the exposed end of the stem in a rooting hormone . This will speed up the rooting process. However , it is unnecessary . 
• Place your stem tip cuttings into a pot with fresh soil after thoroughly watering the potting mixture. 
• Use a clear plastic bag to hold in moisture, taking it off to water weekly . 
• Keep your eyes on the plant for new growth . You should start to see roots in about two to three weeks . Once this happens, transfer the plant babies to a larger pot. 

Note: Instead of rooting your stem tip cuttings directly in soil, you could also root them in water .

Wandering Jew Pest Control

Wandering Jews are prone to aphids and spider mites attacks. So, you will need to look out for these two little pests. 

Some of these are known to cause defoliation, while others can kill the plant altogether. Depending on the severity of the infestation, you may need to use chemicals or insecticides .

Aphids on my Inch Plant

The Wandering Jew is not particularly susceptible to plant diseases or pests. Yet, you might have to deal with an aphid attack at some point. These parasites pierce the leaves of their host plant and suck their sap.

Like scale insects, they excrete sticky honeydew, by which you can immediately recognize the infestation.

Aphids can multiply explosively, especially in warm , dry environments.

As a preventive measure, ensure regular watering and occasional misting of your Wandering Jew.

The best way to combat aphids is to control them mechanically by rinsing them off the plant with water . Isolate the plant from the rest of the collection.

Pest Prevention

To prevent the Wandering Jew from pest infestations, plucking dried leaves regularly makes sense as well as using neem oil. The dried leaves lying on the substrate must be removed. Otherwise, there is a risk of rotting or infestation by parasites and fungi .

Wandering Jew Problems

Brown leaf tips.

Brown leaf tips is a very common problem with a wide variety of houseplant. Depending on the species, the causes for this problem can be very different, though. 

So what causes leaves to turn brown with Wandering Jews?

My Wandering Jew has only green leaves (not enough variegation)

If you do own a variegated Wandering Jew but only see a great amount of non-variegated leaves, chances are that your plant does not get enough sunlight . 

To solve the problem, allow your Wandering Jew some bright, indirect sunlight by placing it in a sunnier location. 

Fading leaves

If your inch plant’s foliage is suddenly losing color and sports fading leaves, this is another sign that it does not get enough sunlight . 

Dropping leaves

Dropping leaves is another very common problem many plant parents must deal with regularly . If your Wandering Jew drops leaves, this is usually due to too low or too high temperatures . 

In summer , ensure your Wandering Jew is exposed to average room temperatures.

In winter , it should be kept in a cooler environment.

Is Wandering Jew care difficult?

Wandering Jews are considered low-maintenance plants and are perfectly suitable for beginners. 

They do well at average room temperatures, don’t demand a very high level of humidity (which is sometimes difficult to achieve in a home environment), and it is very easy to propagate them through stem tip cuttings. 

Which plant species are commonly referred to as “Wandering Jew”?

Tradescantia zebrina as well as Tradescantia albiflora. 

What is the difference between Tradescantia zebrina and Zebrina pendula?

There is no difference between Tradescantia zebrina and Zebrina pendula. Zebrina pendula is just the old name for Tradescantia zebrina. 

Does my Wandering Jew flower at all?

Wandering Jews are indeed flowering plants. However, when kept indoors, they very rarely flower. 

How long can you keep a Wandering Jew?

If you don’t propagate your Wandering Jew, you can keep it for about three years. After that period, the quality of your Wandering Jew will most likely decrease. If you regularly propagate your leafy friend through stem tip cuttings, you can keep it indefinitely.

Any display tips for Wandering Jews?

Wandering Jews look great in hanging planters!

Is the Wandering Jew toxic to cats?

The Wandering Jew plant is toxic to cats. Therefore, you have to keep your cat away from this plant. 

Is the Wandering Jew toxic to dogs?

Yes, the Wandering Jew plant is toxic to dogs. Therefore, you must ensure your dog does not come in contact with this plant. 

What are the health benefits of Tradescantia zebrina, if any?

Not only is The Wandering Jew a beautiful houseplant famous for its striking foliage, but it also presents several health benefits for humans. It is especially known for its antioxidant and antibacterial activity, and it is widely used in Traditional Medicine in several countries. Tradescantia zebrina is also believed to be a valuable source for treating kidney diseases.

The Last Zebrina

The Wandering Jew is a great houseplant that looks stunning in hanging planters. Its care is easy apart from its humidity-loving nature.

Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.

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How To Propagate Wandering Jew In 2 Easy Ways

Tradescantia zebrina or Wandering Jew is a plant loved for its striking looks and hardy nature. These plants can be grown both indoors and outdoors in America. They thrive in warm climates and are pretty easy to take care of. Read on for a complete guide on how to propagate Wandering Jew in soil and water.

• 1.1 Step 1: Take Cuttings
• 1.2 Step 2: Prepare the Pot
• 1.3 Step 3: Aftercare
• 2.1 Step 1: Get Cuttings
• 2.2 Step 2: Prepare the Water
• 2.3 Step 3: Aftercare
• 3 When to Propagate Wandering Jew
• 4.1 General Care
• 4.2 Potential Problems
• 5.1 Do you cut above or below the node?
• 5.2 Can you propagate a Wandering Jew from a leaf?

How to Propagate Wandering Jew in Soil

Propagating Wandering Jew plants in soil takes a little more effort than propagating them in water. Both methods have a high success rate, so you don’t need to worry about your efforts going to waste.

Step 1: Take Cuttings

Taking cuttings the right way is crucial for propagation . Use a sterilized sharp blade or pruning shears for clean cuts. If possible, cut at a 45-degree angle to help the cuttings take root faster.

You need to cut below a leaf node. These leaf nodes will sprout roots for the propagated plant. If there aren’t any leaf nodes, just make a cutting below the newest leaf. Your cuttings should be about 4 to 6 inches long.

Let the cuttings dry out so they can form calluses. This protects the cuttings from rotting once they are planted.

Step 2: Prepare the Pot

Take a pot at least 6 inches tall with a draining hole and fill it with a good potting mix. Leave 1 inch of space at the top of the pot. You can also use a hanging basket as Wandering Jews look great in hanging displays.

Make 2-inch-deep holes in the soil and plant your cuttings in these holes. Make sure they are spaced out evenly and have enough space to grow. Pat down the soil around the cuttings to make them more stable.

Step 3: Aftercare

Make sure the pot stays in a well-lit area. Too much direct light will harm the cuttings, so keep the pots in a partially shady area that receives plenty of indirect sunlight. Water the pot evenly so that all the cuttings receive sufficient water.

Alternatively, you can secure a transparent plastic bag over the pot. This will trap the moisture and you will only need to water the plant once in a few weeks.

You will start seeing new growth in a month.

How to Propagate Wandering Jew in Water

Wandering Jews can be propagated in water too. This method works great for thick-stemmed plants and is a lot easier too. If you are an amateur gardener or don’t have too much time, you can try propagating your Wandering Jews in water.

Step 1: Get Cuttings

Take several cuttings from your Wandering Jew plant. Make sure to use a sterilized blade to eliminate the risk of disease. Make cuts at a 45-degree angle below the leaf nodes .

Leaf nodes are small stubby protrusions on the stems that grow into buds or leaves. This is where the roots will sprout during propagation. The cuttings should be at least 4-6 inches long.

Step 2: Prepare the Water

Take a clear glass or jar large enough for your cuttings. Ideally, the top should be wider than the bottom. Fill it with lukewarm water.

Before putting your cuttings in the water, cut off the leaves on the bottom part of the stem. If any leaves are left submerged in the water, they will start rotting. Add water whenever needed to maintain the water level.

Place the jar on a windowsill where it will receive partial sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can be harmful to the plant, so avoid south-facing windows.

You should start seeing roots within a couple of weeks. When they reach a length of 3-4 inches, you can remove them from the water.

Now that you know how to root Wandering Jew in water, you can plant them in a good potting mix and use a pot with a draining hole. You can plant many young plants together to create a nice, lush look.

When to Propagate Wandering Jew

Propagating Wandering Jew plants is very easy and has a high success rate. They are adaptable and can survive even if you neglect them a little.

There is no perfect time for propagating a Wandering Jew plant, they can grow in any kind of weather. So if you want to propagate your Wandering Jew, don’t worry about waiting for a particular time.

They will grow faster during the summer and spring than during the winter, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be propagated during the winter. Wandering Jews are not winter-dormant.

Wandering Jew Propagation Aftercare

General care.

Caring for a Wandering Jew plant is fairly easy. It needs a moderate amount of water, so water deeply but let the soil dry out before you water again.

You can reduce the frequency of watering during the winter as they rest when the temperature starts dropping. These plants love warm weather and will thrive in summer and spring.

They don’t need a lot of fertilizer. Applying fertilizer twice a year is enough, ideally once in summer and once in spring.

Don’t place them in areas that get direct sunlight. Wandering Jews love warmth but direct heat will damage the stems. Find spots that receive filtered or indirect sunlight throughout the day.

Wandering Jews start getting leggy growth after 2-3 years. To grow a bushier plant, you can just snip off stems, propagate them, and plant them back in the same container as the mother plant.

Potential Problems

Be on the lookout for aphids. They are attracted to thick-stemmed plants and create a huge infestation if left unchecked.

Observing the leaves is a pretty good way to gauge if you’re watering the Wandering Jew plant well. If the leaves look washed out, start to lose their signature variegation or get droopy, you need to water it more.

On the other hand, if the leaves start turning yellow, you need to cut back. It could be a sign of root rot, which will kill your plant. Always let the soil dry out before you water again.

Do you cut above or below the node?

While propagating plants, always cut below the node. This way, when you propagate the cutting, the node will start growing roots. This works for both propagating in soil and propagating in water.

If you can’t find any nodes on the plant, you can cut below the freshest leaf for the same effect. Remember to remove the leaves by cutting them or twisting them off.

There shouldn’t be any leaves in the lower part of the stem that is buried in soil or submerged in water. If there are leaves on the lower part of the stem, they will start rotting during propagation and make the cutting unviable.

Can you propagate a Wandering Jew from a leaf?

It is not technically impossible, but it has a very low success rate. It is quite unlikely that a leaf will grow into a new plant. Frankly, it is a lot more trouble than it is worth.

We suggest you try propagating with cuttings either in soil or in water. If you don’t want to spend too much effort, you can propagate your Wandering Jew in water. It doesn’t need any care till you transplant the cutting to a pot.

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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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Wandering Jew: A Magnificent Cascading Houseplant

Wandering Jew, or spiderwort plants, are popular houseplants loved for their beautiful purple and green variegated foliage, trailing vines, and ease of care.

• About this plant
• Plant information and care guide

Other names for this plant...

Spiderwort plant Inch plant Striped wandering Jew Purple wandering Jew Silver inch plant Wandering dude

About Wandering Jew

Wandering Jews are characterized by their striking purple, green, and silver tricolor leaves. They have recently acquired the alternative name of ‘wandering dude.’

Wandering Jew plants are known for their ability to trail and cascade, making them perfect for hanging baskets or as a trailing plant in a mixed container. They’re low-maintenance, tolerate low light levels, and are incredibly easy to propagate.

While wandering Jew plants are classified as succulents , they have slightly different environmental preferences than most succulents.

Botanical Name

The botanical name of the wandering Jew plant is Tradescantia zebrina. It is a member of the Commelinaceae family , which includes around 652 flowering plants in tropical and subtropical regions.

The wandering Jew plant is a herbaceous perennial, meaning it is a non-woody plant that lives for multiple growing seasons and dies back to the ground each winter when grown outside. As a houseplant, the wandering Jew will grow year-round but not produce much new growth in the colder months.

The wandering Jew plant is native to Mexico and Central America.

The wandering Jew plant is a trailing herbaceous perennial with long, slender stems. The leaves of the wandering Jew plant are typically lance-shaped and range in color from green to purple, with a silver stripe running down the center of each leaf.

The leaves are also slightly fleshy and covered in fine, soft hairs.

The plant produces small, three-petaled flowers that are usually pink or white but are not as showy as the foliage.

Types Of Wandering Jew Plants

Here are a few of the most popular varieties:

The most common wandering Jew plant is radescantia zebrina . It has green variegated leaves with a silver stripe down the center and purple undersides.

Tradescantia fluminensis has green leaves with white stripes down the center and are sometimes confused with Tradescantia zebrina.

Tradescantia pallida is also called purple heart or purple queen. It has purple leaves that turn almost black in bright light.

Tradescantia albiflora has green leaves with white or cream-colored stripes and produces small white flowers.

Tradescantia spathacea , or Moses-in-a-cradle, has long, pointed green leaves and produces small white flowers surrounded by a boat-shaped purple bract.

Tradescantia fluminensis , or “Variegata,” has striped leaves of green and cream.

Wandering Jew Styling 

Here are a few ideas for styling your wandering Jew plant:

The cascading and trailing growth habit of the wandering Jew plant make it an excellent choice for a hanging basket. Choose a basket that matches your decor and hang it in a sunny location where the plant can receive indirect sunlight.

You may combine wandering Jew plants with other trailing or upright houseplants, such as spider plant , pothos, or fern , to create a mixed container display.

With some training, the wandering Jew plant can be grown up a trellis or other support to create a climbing effect. This is a great way to add vertical interest to your home decor.

Wandering Jew plants can be grown in a terrarium or other partially enclosed container, which creates a humid environment that the plant enjoys.

If you have a smaller wandering Jew plant, style it as a tabletop display by placing it in a decorative pot or container and using it as a centerpiece on a coffee table or dining table.

Wandering Jew plants thrive in bright, indirect sunlight but also tolerate some shade. Full sun scorches the plant leaves, so it is best to place it near a window that receives filtered or indirect sunlight. Provide some shade if you put it outside in the summer.

Wandering Jew plants prefer consistently moist, well-draining soil, so water the plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely or become waterlogged, as this causes the plant to wilt or develop root rot.

Temperature

Wandering Jew plants like average room temperatures between 60 and 75°F (15 and 24°C) and tolerate a range of humidity levels. Avoid placing the plant in areas with temperature extremes, such as near drafty windows or heating vents.

Wandering Jew plants prefer moderate to high humidity, so keeping the soil evenly moist and occasionally misting the leaves to increase humidity levels is important. If the air in your home is particularly dry, place a small humidifier near the plant or group it with other houseplants to increase humidity levels.

Wandering Jew plants need a well-draining, peat-based soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Use a commercial potting mix or create your own by combining peat moss, perlite, and sand in equal parts.

As your wandering Jew plant grows, you must repot it into a larger container.

To prune a wandering Jew plant, use sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears to remove dead, damaged, or yellowing leaves. You can pinch back the growing tips to encourage new growth and branching and create a fuller, bushier shape.

When making your cuts, trim back to just above a node, a small swelling on the stem where new leaves and branches emerge.

Look for stems that have become leggy, stretched out, or are growing in an undesirable direction. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged ones.

Wandering Jew plants do not require frequent fertilization but provide a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2 to 4 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing the plant during the winter when it is not actively growing.

Height & Growth

The wandering Jew plant’s stems grow up to 2 to 3 feet (0.6 to 0.9 meters) in length. It can be a very fast grower during the growing season, so plan to prune it regularly to maintain the desired shape and size.

The wandering Jew plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is mildly toxic to humans and animals. The sap of the plant contains oxalates, which cause skin irritation and a rash in some individuals. Oxalates cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. If ingested, the plant causes irritation and swelling of the mouth, lips, and throat.

Tradescantia zebrina is toxic to pets .

Common Problems 

The common problems of a wandering Jew plant include yellowing leaves caused by over-watering, under-watering, or lack of humidity. The plant is also susceptible to pest infestation , like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs.

How To Propagate Wandering Jew

The propagation of wandering Jew plants is achieved by taking a stem cutting and placing it in potting soil. Keep the soil moist and care for the new plant as you would for a mature wandering Jew plant.

The cutting will take root very quickly in soil or water. Many people take the cuttings from a pruning session and simply stick them back into the same pot to encourage fuller growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does wandering jew like sun or shade.

Wandering Jew plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight but also tolerate some shade. Direct sunlight scorches the leaves of the plant.

What is the most common type of Wandering Jew?

The most common type of wandering Jew is Tradescantia zebrina, also known as the inch plant, purple-heart, or purple queen. This plant has distinctive purple and silver striped leaves and trailing stems.

Is Wandering Jew poisonous to cats?

Yes, wandering Jew plants are toxic to pets. The plant contains compounds that cause irritation and digestive problems if ingested. Symptoms of wandering Jew plant toxicity in cats are vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and lethargy.

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11 Ways to Train a Wandering Jew Plant

2-Minute Read

Love growing tradescantia and looking for ways to train a wandering jew plant we have 11 different ideas to copy.

The Wandering Dude Plant, also known as Tradescantia Zebrina, is known for its creeping vines that love to cascade and explore. While it has a free spirit, you can definitely encourage it to grow in a certain way.

Ways to Train a Wandering Jew Plant

1. twirl it around a moss pole.

A moss pole is a great way to go. You can easily get one of these or even make one yourself. Once you have it ready, just stick it in the pot and twirl the Wandering Jew vines around it.

2. Train it on the Ladder Trellis

If you have a young plant and want something pretty that will look good indoors, go with a cute little trellis like this. You can make it with bamboo sticks easily.

3. Hang it High

What’s the best way to show off your beautiful tradescantia zebrina? Get a hanging pot and let it cascade down gracefully, or keep it high up on a plant stand or shelf.

4. Modern Tiny Trellis Idea

You can find many such trellis online, and they come in all shapes and sizes. They’re perfect if you want to train your Wandering Jew and look absolutely gorgeous. What more could you want?

5. Hexagon Trellis

Speaking of a modern trellis, here’s a hexagonal one that will work just as nicely to train your tradescantia; if you can’t take care of the real plant, try it on a fake one, and it will still look good.

6. Use a Tree for it to Grow

If you’re growing it on the lawn, the best way to train one of these plants is by letting it cover the base of the tree, or if you have a tree stump , this can be a nice decor idea.

7. Train it Inside a Cabinet

Once you train a Wandering Jew in a cabinet, there’s no going back. Just put a pot with this plant on a shelf in one of the cabinets and it will slowly expand and occupy the space that’s available around it. Pretty neat, huh?

8. Create a Heart Topiary

If you don’t want a huge Wandering Dude plant and only want to train a smaller one so it looks aesthetically pleasing, this kind of trellis is perfect. Use metal wire to make it–it’s sturdy and can take the weight.

9. Let it Hang Down from a Hanging Basket

Training this plant is not about making it reach as high as you can, as it’s not a climber but a creeper.

10. Give it a Bunch of Space

What do you do when you cannot find a trellis for your Wandering Jew? You let it flow free. It might look shabby at first, but after a few months, you’ll see it spreading all around and occupying the spaces in every direction.

11. Make a Tradscantia Curtain

You must have seen our post on the pothos curtains ; how about creating a wandering jew curtain by hanging a few of these plants high up together?

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Tradescantia pallida ”Purpurea” Guide: How to Grow & Care for “Purple Heart”

Tradescantia pallida ”Purpurea” also known as Purple Queen, Purple Heart, Setcresea Purpurea, Purple Spiderwort, or Wandering Jew “Purpurea” is a popular evergreen perennial . It belongs to the spiderwort family which includes 40 genera and 652 species and it is widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions.

The genus Tradescantia is native to the New World tropics and includes 70 species. The species Tradescantia pallida was collected first in 1907 in Tamaulipas, Mexico by E. Palmer, a leading botanist of his time. Because of their spectacular aspect, these plants were brought on the European continent as ornamental plants and are now grown as such in many parts of the world.

Tradescantia pallida ”Purpurea” is a tender and attractive plant of outstanding colors. It is widely commercialized as a house plant and for outdoor gardens.

It is a long-jointed sprawling ground-cover plant. Its stems and branches recline on the ground and its ascending extremities can grow up to 8 inches (20cm) tall.

The stems and upper surfaces of the leaves are a deep royal purple with shades of a faint dusty turquoise-gunmetal that becomes darker as the foliage grows older. It blooms in small clusters throughout the warm season making small three-petaled flowers of a vivid pink that only stay open in the morning.

Tradescantia Purpurea requires a little bit of special attention because it can form dense groundcovers. This can prevent the germination and establishment of other native plants. For this reason, Purpleheart plants are considered invasive in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands.

They are great for hanging pots or as groundcovers and can add a lush texture and a tropical atmosphere to any garden, be it indoor or outdoor. It is also excellent in containers and ideal for gardening beginners. Thanks to its downward trailing stem it stands out the most when used in rock gardens , border fronts, and wall plantings. It is a widely commercialized genus, important in the nursery and landscape trade.

Table of Contents

Quick Facts

About tradescantia purpurea pallida.

• Tradescantia pallida “Purpurea” is a long-lasting evergreen perennial noted for its striking purple foliage of narrow, pointed leaves, 2-5 in (5-12cm) Its stems grow in segments that make the plant more fragile and easy to snap at the joints but at the same time easy to propagate.
• It is recommended to handle Purpleheart plants with care and to place them in a safe place , where you won’t brush against them often.
• When planted in gardens, these plants prefer to be sheltered from drafts , AC, and strong winds.
• Purpleheart plants are drought tolerant and thrive on neglect, but can also tolerate frequent watering.
• If you grow Tradescantia Purpurea in your outdoor garden you will have a thriving plant as long as you keep the soil moist and well-drained.
• When grown indoors, in containers, it should be watered moderately during the warm season and sparingly in winter.
• When planted in a container it grows best in loam-based compost and it is advisable to use liquid fertilizer monthly in its growing season.
• When kept indoors it likes bright filtered light and it can grow in full sun and shade when kept outdoors. You will want to give it as much light as possible if you want to achieve a good colour development.
• It is worth mentioning that plants growing in shade don’t get a lot of direct light so they are usually green rather than purple.
• The best temperature for Tradescantia pallida ”Purpurea” is average to warm (65-80 F/ 18-27 C).
• It will do well in varying temperatures as well , but no less than 50 F/10 C. Place it away from any source of heat and keep it away from drafty areas around your house.
• If you want your plant to grow more compact and bushy you can pinch it and cut it back after flowering to prevent it from getting spindly.
• The juice from the leaves or stems is relatively toxic and it may cause skin redness and irritation in some people and dogs, but this is not a common problem . However, it’s recommended to keep this plant within a safe distance from kids and pets .
• Spider mites are a common pest indoors, while outdoor plants are prone to scale insects. Mealybugs are a very common issue. You can use neem oil to combat all these pests.Tradescantia pallida ”Purpurea” Features – An Overview
• Tradescantia Purpurea is a tender perennial that is winter hardy and it can easily be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11.
• It is suitable both for gardens and interiors and it is mainly grown for its boldly textured foliage that reaches a vivid purple in bright sunlight making Tradescantia pallida “Purpurea” an excellent ornamental plant.
• As a houseplant, depending on your preference , you can trim it to encourage compact growth or you can leave it to its trailing habits dropping out of a hanging basket .
• It can also give your outdoor landscape a lavish aspect as it is an outstanding groundcover and/or container plant that will provide colour and contrast to the rest of your garden.
• It is a widely commercialized specimen and you can find inexpensive starter plants in nurseries around spring.
• Tradescantia Purpurea doesn’t do well in temperature below 50°F (10°C) and when you move it moved indoors for the cold season, make sure you do so well in advance of frost.
• It is a plant that prefers generous moisture , but it will do well in dry soil too as it has adapted to withstand long periods of drought. It can usually survive accidental or occasional overwatering.
• It will typically grow to 8 in (20 cm) tall and it will develop thick but fragile stems clothed with pointed, narrow, v-shaped leaves 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long.
• The stems of the Tradescantia Purpurea usually trail up to 45 in (45 cm) or more.
• Tradescantia Purpurea blooms in small clusters of three-petaled, pink flowers to 1,5 in diameter (3,5 cm) throughout the warm season.

Growing Tradescantia Purpurea

To ensure that your plant will have nicely coloured foliage, it’s highly recommended to give it plenty of bright light. The plant can grow in the shade or indoors in places with low levels of light, but the foliage will remain green instead of purple.

Tradescantia Purpurea loves to get a little sun but it needs some shade during hot summer days, especially at noon. Extreme heat and direct sun can scorch its leaves.

To encourage branching and to ensure that your plant grows nicely, remove the new stem tips. You can use the freshly removed tips to propagate the plant, so don’t throw them away.

Watering Tradescantia Purpurea

It is best to water your Tradescantia Purpurea plants thoroughly. You can apply the ‘soak and dry’ technique and rewater the plant when you notice that the top 1 inch (2.5cm) of soil is dry.

Like most plants, Tradescantia Purpurea needs to be watered more frequently in summer, and less in winter with the growth process is paused.

Wilted and limp stems that have an unusual and unhealthy aspect can be a sign of root rot . Brown leaf tips, on the other hand, indicate that the plant isn’t getting enough humidity.

• FRESH CUTTINGS: Get 6 cuttings that are 4-6 inches long to grow new Purple Heart Wandering Jew Plants
• EASY TO GROW: Wandering Jew propegate very easily from cuttings.
• INDOOR OR OUTDOOR: Wandering Jew grow about 1 foot tall, popular in a container indoors or grow in your garden or landscape.

• 5 cuttings (stems) that you plant and become a new plant
• Grow to approximately 1' in height and are great for ground cover or in pots.
• Beautiful pink flowers!

Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Propagating Tradescantia Purpurea

Tradescantia Purpurea pallida can be propagated easily by rooting cuttings in water or directly in the soil. It’s best to take your cutting from a healthy mature plant using a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors. Cut the stem just below a segment node. A cutting measuring 4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm) roots the best.

Propagation in water works very well for a thick-stemmed plant as Tradescantia Purpurea. This is done by placing the cuttings in a glass container filled with lukewarm water. Make sure you don’t have any leaves submerged in the water because they will rot. Place the cuttings in a bright place, but not under direct sunlight as this may prevent them from rooting.

Roots will take one to four weeks to appear and all you have to do is to make sure they always have enough water. When the roots are a few inches long, plant the cuttings in a pot filled with a light commercial potting soil . For more of a full-sized plant, you can root several cuttings and plant them in one pot.

If you decide to propagate the plant directly in the soil, fill a container with moistened potting mix and plant the cuttings after removing the lower leaves of the stem. You can plant more than one cutting as long as they don’t overlap. Wrap your pot in a clear plastic bag that you can secure with an elastic rubber and place the pot in a bright place, away from direct sunlight. You don’t need to water the plant because the plastic will keep all the moisture in. After about a month, when you see new growth appearing on the stems, you can safely remove the plastic.

The newly rooted plant needs to be watered as soon as the top layer of soil feels dry.  Keep the soil moist, but not soggy to prevent the plant from rotting. Feed the newly rooted plant every month, using a water-soluble fertilizer.

Tradescantia Purpurea is an overall easy to grow plant that doesn’t require any special care. The only thing you will need to do is to make sure you protect it from freezing temperatures and from overwatering. To grow happy and healthy, Tradescantia Purpurea plants need regular watering and plenty of natural light.

Attractive and durable, these beautiful house plants will bring joy to your garden year-round with their rich purple stems and lance-shaped leaves. Tradescantia Purpureas make an outstanding addition to any plant collection. Whether you decide to grow it in a small decorative container or a hanging basket letting the long stems cascade over it you will surely obtain a lovely decorative plant.

Tradescantia Purpurea Pallida FAQS#

How do you grow tradescantia pallida indoors.

To grow Tradescantia pallida indoors, place the plant in a location with bright filtered light. It thrives best in loam-based compost in a container, and should be watered moderately during the warm season and sparingly in winter. Use liquid fertilizer monthly during the growing season. Handle the plant with care, as the stems are fragile.

Can I grow purple heart indoors?

Yes, the purple heart (Tradescantia pallida) is an excellent houseplant. It prefers bright filtered light and loam-based compost. Be sure to water it moderately during the warm season and sparingly in winter, and apply liquid fertilizer monthly during its growing season.

How do you grow a purple heart plant?

The purple heart plant prefers a location with plenty of bright light to develop its vibrant purple color. It can be grown in both sun and shade outdoors and prefers bright, filtered light indoors. The plant likes moist, well-drained soil and should be watered moderately in the warm season and sparingly in winter. For best growth, use liquid fertilizer monthly during its growing season.

Is Tradescantia pallida indoor or outdoor?

Tradescantia pallida, or purple heart, can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It is a versatile plant that does well as a houseplant in bright, filtered light and also thrives outdoors in full sun to shade. However, it is not frost-hardy and should be moved indoors in regions where winters are severe.

Does purple heart need direct sunlight?

Purple heart can tolerate a variety of light conditions, from full sun to shade when grown outdoors. For the best color development, it’s recommended to give the plant plenty of bright light. However, protect it from scorching during hot summer days. When grown indoors, it prefers bright filtered light.

Will purple heart survive winter?

Purple heart is winter hardy and can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 10-11. However, it does not tolerate freezing temperatures well, so it should be moved indoors or protected in regions where winters are severe. When moved indoors for the cold season, do this well in advance of frost.

Miruna is an experienced content writer with a passion for gardening. She is the proud owner of an outdoor rose garden and an indoor collection of tiny succulents. She bought her first succulent 10 years ago - an adorable Echeveria Setosa. Now she owns more than 100 succulents and cacti of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Miruna is a versatile writer and, as you might have guessed, her favorite topic is gardening. Contact [email protected]

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Wandering jew plants guide: how to grow & care for “tradescantia zebrina”, rhaphidophora tetrasperma guide: how to grow & care for “mini monstera”.

I have a Tradescantia pallida and it appears to be “shedding” for lack of a better word. It’s got some new healthy looking growth. Ia this normal?

Hello Mariah! Tradescantia plants are considered fast-growing. They usually produce new leaves quite quickly while also ‘shedding’ the older ones. If your plant is getting a normal amount of water, and your plant shows healthy growth, there’s no need to worry.

How do you get medicinal benefits from this kind of plant

Thanks for this in depth informative article. Love this plant as ground cover that thrives in sun or shade. It’s also proven to survive freezes and comes back strong in the Spring!

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Is a wandering jew a succulent.

The wandering Jew, or Tradescantia zebrina, is a succulent. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America, and is typically incorporated into a garden as a ground cover.

One of the main reasons this plant is so popular is because of its lovely foliage. Its leaves have deep purple-colored undersides, while the tops have greenish-blue or silvery-gray stripes.

Because it is native to tropical rainforests, it differs from most succulents in that it is better adapted to moist and shady places.

In this article, we will discuss more of this plant and how to properly care for it. So, if you want to learn more about it before adding it to your garden, just keep reading.

What is the wandering Jew?

The wandering Jew, or Tradescantia zebrina, is a succulent plant native to Mexico and parts of Central and South America. There are other Tradescantia species that are also called wandering Jew, but the zebrina variety is what the common name typically refers to.

This plant is low-maintenance and grows very fast, which is why it is often used as a ground cover in gardens. It is also grown as an indoor plant by many people, because of its beautiful foliage with zebra-like stripes.

Is the wandering Jew a succulent?

Yes, the wandering Jew is a succulent. Even though it is native to rainforests and prefers a more moist and shadier setting than most succulents, it still shares many succulent characteristics.

Its stems and leaves are fleshy and can store water for use in the event of drought. Although it likes moist soil, it is also quite sensitive to overwatering and can even get root rot if the problem is not resolved in time. We will discuss more about root rot later in this article.

Wandering Jew plant care

Light requirements.

Most succulents like full sunlight, especially those that are native to hot, dry regions of the world. Even if you keep those succulents indoors, you still need to provide them with lots of light, be it right next to a window or by using grow lights to supplement their light requirements.

The wandering Jew, however, is native to rainforests and grows close to the ground, so it is used to getting only the dappled sunlight that filters through the forest tree canopy. It is best for the plant if you simulate this wherever you are growing it.

This means you should provide the plant with bright, indirect light. If you are growing it outdoors, make sure the plant is under the shade of a large tree or near the side of a building. This gives it several hours of shade throughout the day.

If you are growing the plant indoors, you can still place it near a window, as long as it is a north- or east-facing window. These windows let in the weakest light that will not burn your plant. If the only windows available in your home let in harsh light, you can diffuse the light with a sheer curtain.

Be observant of the plant’s reactions to the light it receives. If its leaves are turning yellow or brown and becoming crispy, it might be that the plant is getting too much light. Transfer it to a shadier spot as soon as possible.

 If the plant’s leaves are becoming pale and droopy, this could be because it is not getting as much light as it needs. It could also become leggy. In this case, transfer the plant to where it can get a little more light.

Watering requirements

The wandering Jew likes its soil a little moister than the typical succulent. This is because it is used to growing in the rainforest where the soil is perpetually moist, but never really waterlogged either.

An underwatered wandering Jew will have dry leaves, and soil in its pot will be bone-dry. A rainforest plant does not do well in such conditions.

If you think your plant is underwatered, water it immediately, making sure to soak all of the soil in the pot so that all the roots get their fair share of water.

An overwatered wandering Jew, on the other hand, will have droopy leaves that have turned yellow or brown. Instead of their usual rigid structure, the overwatered leaves will feel soft and mushy to the touch.

A serious consequence of overwatering is root rot. This is when the plant’s roots are left to stand in perpetually soggy soil and never given the chance to dry out between waterings.

In these conditions, the roots will drown and start to rot. The dead roots will become susceptible to opportunistic pathogens in the soil, such as fungi and bacteria. These pathogens will make the rot more aggressive and cause it to spread faster to the rest of the plant, possibly even leading to the plant’s death.

If you think your plant is overwatered, stop watering it and let the soil in the pot dry out completely. Place the plant in a sunny spot to help the soil and the roots dry out faster.

If you suspect root rot in your plant, you will need to remove it from the pot to check the roots. Gently wash the soil from the roots; they will be fragile in this state. Inspect the roots for sections that have turned brown or black. These are rotten and you should remove them with a sterile knife or pair of scissors, so that only healthy, white roots remain.

Lay the plant on dry paper towels to let the roots dry.

Choose a new pot that has drainage holes at the bottom and fill it two-thirds with fresh potting mix. Place the plant in the middle of the pot and cover the roots with more soil.

Water the soil until it is properly moist, and return the plant to a spot where it can get bright, indirect light.

Soil requirements

Unlike most succulents, the wandering Jew can do well in slightly denser soil, as long as it is still able to drain the excess water.

Make sure that your pot also has sufficient drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to drain out easily if you happen to accidentally overwater the plant, or if the plant gets a little too much rain when kept outdoors.

Do not let the soil dry out completely, because the plant’s roots like the soil to be a bit moist at all times.

Temperature requirements

The wandering Jew can tolerate temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. If the plant is left outside in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, this can have detrimental effects and may even lead to the plant’s death.

The ideal temperature for the plant is anywhere between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It is much easier to maintain this range when the plant is kept indoors, but as long as you remember to bring it indoors when the temperatures dip below 50 degrees, you will have no problem growing it outdoors, either.

Humidity requirements

Based on the native habitats of the wandering Jew, it is easy to deduce that this plant is a big fan of humidity.

It is important for it to get the same kind of humidity levels wherever it is grown. If the air is a little dry in your house, you can help the plant out by misting it every once in a while with some water.

You can also use a water pebble tray. Place the plant’s pot on top of this tray and, as the water evaporates, it will moisten the plant’s leaves and the soil inside the pot.

You can also group the plant near other humidity-loving plants, so that together they can create a microclimate around themselves.

Or, if you have the means, you can purchase a humidifier to automatically regulate the humidity levels in the room, so that you do not have to worry about it.

Fertilizer requirements

You can fertilize your wandering Jew once a month during its growing season in the spring and summer. Refrain from feeding it during winter.

Do not start fertilizing the plant until two years after it was initially planted or repotted. This is because the fresh soil used when planting or repotting will have enough nutrients and minerals to provide for the plant, so it will not need fertilization for some time.

Repotting the wandering Jew

Just like other plants, the wandering Jew needs to be repotted when it gets too a little too big for its pot, and if its roots have started to grow out of the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

This plant does tend to grow fast; however, because its lifespan is only two or three years, you are not likely to end up repotting it too many times.

How to propagate the wandering Jew using stem cuttings

The parent plant from which you remove the cuttings should be very healthy and have several stems to choose from. Use a sterile knife or pair of scissors to cut off the stems, making sure that each cutting is at least three inches long.

Remove the leaves close to the base of the cutting. This is important because if you bury any leaves in the soil, they will rot and this is not healthy for the growing plant.

Place the cutting into a container of fresh potting soil that has been watered thoroughly beforehand.

You can place a plastic bag over the container to increase the humidity, but make sure you remove the plastic bag every time you water the cutting to let it breathe.

Place the container in a spot where it can get bright, indirect light.

After a few weeks, the cutting will have sprouted roots and they should be well-established. You can check this by giving the cutting a gentle tug. If you feel resistance, it means the roots are anchored in the soil and you can now transfer the plant to a bigger pot and care for it as you would a regular plant.

Does a wandering Jew produce flowers?

Yes, the wandering Jew produces flowers, but this is more likely to happen when the plant is grown outdoors. Indoor wandering Jews very rarely produce flowers, if at all.

How long is a wandering Jew’s lifespan?

You can expect this plant to live for an average of three years. Past three years, the plant’s quality of life will start to dramatically decrease and if you want to continue having it in your garden, you will need to propagate it.

The two most common pests observed on wandering Jew plants are spider mites and aphids. The bigger the infestation, the more damage these pests will cause, such as leaf drop.

Both of these pests feed on the sap from the foliage of the plant, and the places where they bite into the leaves will have little, dark brown spots. They also leave honeydew on the plant which is a tell-tale sign of their presence.

The honeydew can also attract other insects to the plant, which can then cause even more damage.

Aphids reproduce at a rapid rate and prefer dry, warm environments, so regular misting of the plant can help prevent them.

You can use a strong stream of water to knock the pests off your plant. Just make sure to keep the plant away from your other plants while you do this, because this can easily cause the pests to spread.

It can be a bit difficult to spot an infestation in its early stages; when the pests become noticeable, the infestation is probably full-blown.

You can also spray rubbing alcohol on the affected parts of the plant to kill the pests. Or, if you have neem oil, you can apply it directly on the affected areas with a cotton swab.

Repeat the process every three days until you are sure that all of the pests have been eradicated.

The wandering Jew, or Tradescantia zebrina, is a succulent. It is native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. It is a low-growing, low-maintenance plant that is used as ground cover in many gardens. These plants are popular due to the beautiful colors of their leaves and the fact that they grow very fast and can cover areas at a rapid rate.

To keep the wandering Jew happy, you need to provide it with bright, indirect light, just like it would get in the rainforests to which it is native.

The plant’s soil should be a little bit moist all the time, but never soggy.

The ideal temperature for this plant is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilize it once a month during the spring and summer, and refrain from feeding it during the winter.

The common pests to watch out for are aphids and spider mites. Get rid of these pests by knocking them off the plant with a strong stream of water, spraying the plant with rubbing alcohol, or applying neem oil directly on the affected areas of the plant.

Image: istockphoto.com / Jamaludin Yusup

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Wandering Jew: Types, Care, and Propagation

Table of contents, • the wandering jew - an introduction.

Wandering Jew, also called the Inch plant, can be credited for starting the whole trend of plant swapping. Years before indoor plant gardening became a profitable business, friends, family, and fellow plant parents swapped cuttings of the Wandering Jew.

The Wandering Jew is native to tropical and temperate climates and grows vigorously with very little care. In fact, the name Wandering Jew comes from the fact that if the plant is left to its devices in the open, the plant will grow invasively to wander the ends of the earth.

Tradescantia Zebrina, earlier known as Zebrina Pendula, is a species of creeper loved across the globe for its bright purple foliage. When grown indoors in planters, the tradescantia can be grown all year round in home gardens, even by gardeners who have no real gardening experience.

☆ Common names

Inch plant, Spiderwort, Wandering jew, Wandering zebrina, Zebra plant

• Types of Inch Plants

This beautiful plant has over 70 popular varieties and more often than not you can find most of these varieties in your neighborhood growing with abandon in either hanging plants or as ground cover. Some of the most common tradescantia varieties are:

1. Tradescantia Fluminensis

This variety has fleshy ovate leaves with white and green variegations attached to fleshy stems. It has triangular white flowers with three petals.

2. Tradescantia Zebrina

The variegated leaves resemble the stripes of a zebra, the purplish-green leaves have a silver edge. One of the hardiest and quickest growing wandering jew varieties.

3. Tradescantia Pallida

Also famous as the Purple heart plant for its deep purple foliage and light purplish-pink flower. It stands out amazingly both as ground cover and as hanging plants. Tradescantia blossfeldiana: The thick green leaves have a fuzzy texture with a white and green variegated upper side and a purple underside. The plant has clusters of beautiful blue, purple, white, and pink flowers.

4. Tradescantia Sillamontana

This plant has beautiful symmetry with leaves growing on thick succulent-like stems covered in white fuzzy hair. It produces magenta flowers in season.

5. Tradescantia Spathacea

Also famous as ‘moses in a blanket’, ‘oyster plant’, or ‘boat lily’, it's almost succulent like in nature. It has dark green leaves with purple underside growing in spiral patterns

• Wandering Jew (Tradescantia)  P lant Care

The Wandering Jew plant is easy to grow in Indian climates and can add beautiful color to any home garden. A great plant for new plant parents, it is a joy to grow. Let’s take a look at the detailed guide for creeping inch plant care. Spiderwort plants are mostly carefree. One of the only points of contention in growing this as a houseplant is getting the right moisture level.

The creeping-Inch plants love bright indirect light but also do great with a few hours of direct light. Plant your wandering jew plant near a south-facing window where it can get at least 6 to 7 hours of bright indirect light. Growing your spiderwort in North-facing balconies and terraces is also a good idea. If the colour or variegations on the leaves start to diminish then it is a clear sign of low light. Shift your plant to an area with brighter light conditions.

The wandering jew plant likes its potting mix to be kept uniformly moist at all times but not soggy at all. Under indirect light conditions, water your wandering jew plant once per week or when the top soil dries out. Don't let the soil dry out completely.

However, when watering your dried potting mix, water it in batches to ensure that the soil absorbs all the water and it just doesn’t run out of the planter. Water a little and then wait for a while for the soil to soak up the water before watering it again till it drains out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the planter.

The creeping inch plant is not very finicky about the soil it grows in. It thrives in a well-draining but rich potting mix. The key points to be kept in mind is allowing the topsoil to dry in between waterings and also aerate the soil once in a while. Since the spiderwort plant loves moist potting mix, it is very important that it is well-draining and well-aerated so root rot can be avoided.

4. Fertilizers

Use a well-balanced and generic houseplant fertilizer for your wandering jew plant. They are not heavy feeders and do well with both root and foliar application every 15 days. Use a good quality fertilizer like the Ugaoo Plant Tonic for this. Dilute the fertilizer as instructed and apply directly to roots once in 15 days and put it in a misting spray and do a foliar application too once in 15 days. The foliar application guarantees bigger and showier leaves. However, don't overfeed the plant as it causes the leaves to lose their variegations.

The Spiderwort plant does not require any pruning as such. Pruning for the creeping inch plant comes into play in two instances; one is to remove dead foliage and the other is to manage the shape and growth pattern of the plant. When left to its own devices, the spiderwort plant becomes leggy, to keep your plant fuller, prune the stems from time to time or pinch back at least one-fourth of the branch length.

Simply use sharp clean pruning shears or scissors to prune away stems at the required length, and cut at an incline in between leaf nodes. To remove dead or yellowing leaves, just pinch it away ensuring the leaf stalk is also removed from the main stem.

Buy Pruning Shears

• propagating wandering jew plant.

The easiest plant to propagate, the wandering jew can be propagated by anyone with a pair of scissors to take cuttings. Simply take 1 to 2-inch long cuttings of the plant, with at least 1 leaf node. Plant the cuttings in a moist potting mix or propagate in water. Keep the setup in a spot with bright indirect light.

• Problems With the Inch Plant and How to Deal with Them

Like many plants, the spiderwort can be plagued by aphids and spider mites. In case of infestation, spray the plant with neem oil solution to get rid of the pests and as preventive measures. In case of heavy infestations, prune away the infested parts.

Buy the Wandering Jew Plant

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Wisconsin Horticulture

Division of Extension

Purple Heart, Tradescantia pallida

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Tradescantia sillamontana

Common name(s):.

• Cobweb Spiderwort
• White Gossamer Plant
• White Velvet

Previously known as:

• Tradescantia pexata

Cobweb Spiderwort or Tradescantia sillamontana , is a low growing perennial groundcover plant that is native to dry regions in Mexico.  This easy to grow plant prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun with good soil moisture.  When located in an area that received full sun in the heat of the day, the leaves can burn.

It can grow in a range of soil and pH conditions, however, prefers well-drained acidic, loamy soils.  Pinching the tips back will promote a more bushy habit.  It can take on a trailing habit if the tips are not pinched.

They work wonderfully in containers, be sure to water regularly but do not overwater.  Allow the soil to dry somewhat between watering.  Overwatering, as well too much shade and excessive nitrogen can cause the plant to take on an unattractive appearance.   Avoid overhead watering.  After flowering, cutting back the plant will promote a second bloom, as well as preventing self-seeding.

Discontinue watering in the winter months.  

Although considered a tropical perennial, it can also be grown as an annual in locations that are in cooler hardiness zones.

More sun and less water will lead to a plant that will be more silvery and compact.

Quick ID:  

• Leaves are in a precise geometric shape
• White hairs cover the leaves, shoots and buds

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:   Reseeding itself can be an issue that can be avoided by cutting the plant back after flowering is completed.

• 'Brown Hill' green foliage with purple undersides, tinge of brown on the stems
• 'Gold Stripes' variegated foliage, dense silvery hairy foliage with creamy stripes, lavender flowers
• 'Variegata' bright green leaves striped with white and tiny white hairs

• Attributes: Genus: Tradescantia Species: sillamontana Family: Commelinaceae Life Cycle: Perennial Recommended Propagation Strategy: Division Stem Cutting Country Or Region Of Origin: Mexico Play Value: Easy to Grow Dimensions: Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Ground Cover Herbaceous Perennial Houseplant Perennial Succulent Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Habit/Form: Erect Prostrate Growth Rate: Slow Maintenance: Low Texture: Medium
• Cultural Conditions: Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Loam (Silt) Soil pH: Acid (<6.0) Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Available Space To Plant: 12 inches-3 feet USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
• Flowers: Flower Color: Pink Flower Value To Gardener: Showy Flower Bloom Time: Summer Flower Shape: Saucer Flower Petals: 2-3 rays/petals Flower Size: < 1 inch Flower Description: Magenta three-petaled flowers appear in summer in terminal leaf axils.
• Leaves: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics: Broadleaf Evergreen Leaf Color: Gray/Silver Green Purple/Lavender Leaf Feel: Soft Velvety Leaf Type: Simple Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Shape: Ovate Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: Yes Leaf Length: 1-3 inches Leaf Description: Gray-green to olive-colored sometimes with a blush of purple covered with dense, gray/white cobweb-type hairs making it appear almost silvery in the sunlight. The base of the leaf clasps the stem.
• Stem: Stem Color: Green Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Buds: Hairy Stem Bud Scales: No scales, covered in hair Stem Form: Zig Zags Stem Surface: Hairy (pubescent) Stem Description: The fleshy, succulent thick hairy stems can zigzag.
• Landscape: Landscape Location: Container Houseplants Patio Landscape Theme: Rock Garden Design Feature: Border Mass Planting Resistance To Challenges: Deer Diseases Drought Dry Soil Heat Humidity Insect Pests

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Tradescantia

Tradescantia is a succulent, brittle weed that can easily break and fragment.

Botanical name: Tradescantia fluminensis

Family name: Commelinaceae

Tradescantia.

Tradescantia is more correctly known as wandering Jew in New Zealand, but as this name is considered offensive to some people, it has been decided to call it tradescantia on this site. Some in New Zealand have decided to call it wandering willie, though many organisations within this country have now moved to the name of tradescantia to get away from the offensive nature of the official name.

Tradescantia is a succulent perennial plant that is an environmental weed, causing major problems under trees and in bush reserves throughout the North Island in some parts of the South Island. Originally from South America, it has been grown as an ornamental garden plant for many years and also in hanging pots, but the sale in garden centres is now banned because of its invasive nature.

Tradescantia can form thick mats of vegetation in moist, shady areas within bush reserves, it stops new seedlings of trees and shrubs from establishing wherever it grows. Although it is not thought to produce seeds within New Zealand, it spreads due to the brittle nature of its stems, resulting in the plant fragmenting easily, and these fragments do not dry out easily.

It probably spreads mainly during periods of flooding, when it gets washed into new areas. It also gets into new areas through people dumping garden waste on roadsides, as it is commonly found in many gardens, especially where gardens have been growing for many decades.

Apart from being a major problem within bush areas and shady gardens, it can cause allergic skin reactions in dogs and other animals running through the foliage. It is also exceedingly difficult to get rid of once established.

Distinguishing features

Tradescantia leaves and flower.

The succulent, brittle nature of the stems distinguishes it from a number of other species that grow on shady forest floors such as periwinkle ( Vinca major ) and ivy ( Hedera helix ).

Each leaf is oval-shaped, shiny, smooth and slightly fleshy with pointed tips. When growing in a mat, this can get 50 cm deep at times. It produces white flowers about 2 cm across in spring to early summer, with each having three petals, whereas periwinkle has blue flowers.

Tradescantia covering ground beneath trees.

Most herbicides give very poor control. The best chemical appears to be triclopyr, which is sold under such trade names as Grazon, Eliminate, Scrubcutter and in garden centres as Hydrocotyle Killer. Even with this herbicide, re-treatment may be necessary.

Amitrole has been used in the past, and although this works better than glyphosate, it is not as effective as triclopyr. Likewise, metsulfuron has some activity on it but is a less effective herbicide. However, triclopyr is mainly used for controlling scrub weeds, so be careful not to spray it on nearby shrubs.

Some people have attempted to rake the plant up under hot dry conditions rather than use herbicide, but this seldom works as any fragments left behind will regenerate, and the raked material has to be disposed of carefully so it doesn’t spread to new areas.

Picloram gel (Vigilant) has sometimes been applied to it with a paint roller, but this cannot be recommended as the persistent picloram residues can be taken up by the roots of trees and shrubs growing underneath the treated weed and cause severe damage to these trees and shrubs.

Similar species

Cleavers have foliage and fruits with tiny hooks that can cling to surfaces.

Great bindweed

Great bindweed is a vine that produces heart-shaped leaves and large white flowers.

Ivy is a vine-like weed very commonly found in gardens.

How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

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If you’re familiar with the Nanouk plant, then you’d have discovered that it’s an easy-to-grow flowering succulent and a favorite of most plant lovers.

This plant is one of the easiest-to-care-for houseplants with minimal maintenance requirements. It has beautiful blue, pink-purple, or white flowers that grow from the pink buds and slightly fuzzy bright green, pink or purple foliage.

The Tradescantia Nanouk is a new cultivar developed in the Netherlands through a planned breeding program conducted in Sappemeer back in 2012.

The objective of this program was to create more compact Tradescantia plants with better performance and beautiful flower coloration.

And the objective was met!

So, if you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance trailing plant for hanging baskets , both indoors and outdoors, the Tradescantia Nanouk is the way to go!  

If you want to know more about the pink Nanouk plant i.e. identification, propagation, care, and more. This article is meant for you! Read through and get to know your Tradescantia Nanouk plant well.

Let’s get started:

What’s Nanouk Plant

How to identify nanouk plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk is an herbaceous perennial cultivar in the Commelinaceae family. It’s mostly grown for its amazingly beautiful pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage.

The stems of a Nanouk plant are thick and chunky to provide sturdy support to the rounded, fuzzy thick leaves.

It produces small, beautiful pink buds and white and yellow flowers in spring and summer. Tradescantia Nanouk branches grow upright but, with excellent growing conditions and some patience, this plant can trail.

Due to its beautiful and bright foliage, the Fantasy Venice enlivens spaces, especially when used in hanging baskets and as a ground cover.

That’s why it’s widely used as an indoor houseplant and also as a garden plant by a majority of plant lovers.

Noteworthy Characteristics (Plant Profile Summary)

Common name(s): Fantasy Venice, Tradescantia Nanouk, Nanouk Wandering Jew Plant or, Spiderwort 'Nanouk'.

Scientific/Botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ .

USDA Hardiness zones: 10 through 12 for outdoor growing.

Mature Height: Up to 0.5 feet tall.

Mature Spread: Up to 2 feet wide.

Growing habit: Compact and Upright to trailing plant habit.

Native Area: Mexico, South and Central America with cultivars developed in the Netherlands.

Blooming Time: Blooms throughout the plant’s growing season.

Invasive: Considered invasive in the State of Florida.

Toxicity: Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.

Is Nanouk Plant Toxic?

Yes, just like all other Tradescantia varieties, the Tradescantia Nanouk plant is considered poisonous to both humans and pets.

The sap from this plant causes gastric distress if ingested and can be irritating to the skin.

Hence, keep your pets away and wash up immediately after handling your plant and/or use gloves.

Nanouk Plant Vs Wandering Jew

Nanouk plant and wandering Jew plant both belong to the same genus ‘Tradescantia’ and in general, require almost similar growing and care requirements. 

They also have the same uses in the general landscape, container planting, interiorscape, indoor Plant and, hanging baskets.

However, if we look at their morphology, it’s possible to see a few distinctions between the two that will help you differentiate between them.

For instance; Tradescantia Nanouk plant has pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage while Tradescantia Zebrina ‘green wandering Jew plant’ has variegated olive and silver foliage with purple undersides with purple on both sides for the ‘purple wandering Jew plant’

Apart from this, a Tradescantia Nanouk produces pink buds and white/yellow flowers while Tradescantia Wandering Jew produces white to lavender inconspicuous boat-shaped flowers.

Nanouk Plant Propagation

There are 2 methods of propagating a Nanouk plant. These include; plant division and stem cuttings.

In the stem cuttings method, you can root the cuttings either in water or, in soil. Let’s look at each method at a time.

Method 1: Nanouk plant propagation through division step by step

Step 1: Identify a mature, healthy plant free of pests and diseases. Then remove your plant from the pot carefully and remove all the soil from around the roots gently to avoid root damage.

Step 2: With a lot of care, separate each root ball and stem from one another. Sometimes, the roots of your Nanouk plant can be too intertwined to separate with bare hands without damaging them. If this is the case, use a pair of scissors to cut them apart (the scissors must be sterilized to avoid infections).

Step 3: Plant the individual baby plants in a well-draining potting mix in their containers. Ensure that the potting mix/soil remains moist but never soggy.

Step 4: Since after division the baby plants have some roots attached, it will take them a few more weeks for the roots to be fully established. Occasionally, pull your plants gently from the potting mix and feel if there’s some resistance or the plant just pulls off easily. Some resistance indicates that the roots are establishing and healthy.

Method 2: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in water step by step

Step 1: Identify a healthy Nanouk plant from which you’ll take the cuttings.

Step 2: Using a sterilized pair of scissors take the stem cuttings from the mother plant. Each of the stem cuttings you make must have at least a node (spots where the leaf attaches to the stem and where roots will form) and a leaf.

Step 3: Remove the lower-most leaves (if any) to leave a few inches of a bare stem.

Step 4: Put the cut end of the stem cutting into a jar or container of room-temperature freshwater such that at least a node is below the water surface. Ensure that there aren’t any leaves in the water.

Step 5: Place your container/jar in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Your cuttings need adequate light.

Step 6: Replace the water once every 5 to 7 days or when it gets grubby and top it up as soon as the level gets lower.

Step 7:   It usually takes about a week for the tiny roots to sprout but, wait until the roots are about 2 to 3 inches long before you transfer the cuttings into soil. After you pot up your cutting water it properly and keep the potting mix/soil evenly moist.

Method 3: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in soil step by step

Step 4: Place the cut end of your stem cutting into a container of well-draining moistened potting mix/soil.  Make sure that at least one node is under the surface and that all the leaves are above the surface. Maintain high humidity and keep the growing medium moist but not wet for healthy root development.

Step 5: Move the container with the cutting to a warm space with bright, indirect light.

Step 6: In a few weeks, your cutting will have established its roots and is ready to be treated like a normal plant.

Pro Tip: In all the cutting propagation methods, you can use a rooting hormone like Garden Safe rooting hormone to encourage roots to grow from the cuttings.

How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

Step 1: selecting the appropriate potting soil.

The Nanouk plants are very resilient and easy to grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil.  You just need a regular, well-draining houseplant potting mix/soil to pot your Tradescantia Nanouk and you’re good to go!

It’s always a good idea to add a handful of orchid bark, perlite or, horticultural/coarse sand to the potting mix to improve drainage .

You can also use a succulent-based potting mix to give your Nanouk plant plenty of drainage.

Pro Tip: Avoid dense soil as it holds too much water/moisture which might lead to root rot and plant death.

Step 2: The Best Planting Pots

When it comes to selecting the best planting pot for you Tradescantia Nanouk, keep in mind that this plant hates excessive moisture. It’s also a fast-grower.

Therefore, choose a pot that matches the size of your plant since you can repot whenever the need arises. (a pot that’s ½ inch larger than the plants’ current root ball is ideal).

A very large pot will cause more harm than good as it holds more soil, consequently more water which might lead to root rot. Also, the roots of this plant don’t need too much soil for sustainability.

The right amount of soil/potting mix ensures that the root ball soaks moisture fast and it’s not left to sit in soggy soil.

Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Providing the right temperature for a Nanouk plant is easy as it performs just fine in a normal household temperature.

With daytime temperatures of up to 75 degrees Celsius and night temperatures of roughly mid-50s, you have nothing to worry about. Just avoid keeping the plant a windowsill as it might be exposed to drafts and cold.

Does a Nanouk plant like humidity?

Yes! This plant loves a humid environment of approximately 40-60%. So, place your Nanouk plant in a room or a more humid space. The lower the humidity levels, the drier the air gets and this leads to crispy leaves.

But the good thing is, you can easily create humidity for your plants whenever the levels are low.

For example, mist the plant more often, use a pebble tray filled with water or, place your plant near a humidifier.

I’d recommend the Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Amazon since it has a Quiet Operation, Automatic Shut-Off, Night Light Function and it’s affordable.

Alternatively, place your plant on the bathroom window where it enjoys the steam from your bath without being sprayed by the shower directly.

It’s also an excellent addition to your bathroom plants for a more luxurious look.

Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light

Tradescantia Nanouk plants love bright, indirect light for nice and brightly colored pink and purple leaves.

However, the light shouldn’t necessarily be natural light from the sun as you can still use grow lights to supplement the natural light.

Under low light, the leaves are smaller in size, and the color fades (more green and less variegated). Inadequate light also leads to a leggy plant. Placing your plants near a sunny window works well too in improving light availability.

Caution: Never place your plant in full sun to protect the leaves from scorching.

Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis

When it comes to watering, ‘ WHEN ’ to water is more crucial than ‘ HOW OFTEN’ you water this plant.

‘How often’ suggests a timeline or a schedule to follow. This means that at a specific time or date, you must water your Nanouk plant whether it needs watering or not.

This might lead to overwatering and subsequent root rot which results in a dull and unhealthy plant.

Therefore, check the moisture availability in the topsoil by sticking your index finger into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s the right time to water your Nanouk plant .

Alternatively, use a moisture meter to check if your plant needs watering or not. (That’s if you have one or, purchase a General Tools Digital Moisture Meter from Amazon should you wish to have one)

Usually, watering once a week is enough but there are a few factors that determine how often to water your Nanouk plant.

For instance; if yours is growing outdoors, it’s exposed to more heat and wind than the indoor-grown Nanouk hence, water it more frequently.

Also, when your Nanouk plant is actively growing i.e. in spring and summer, it takes up more water from the soil thus, requires to be watered more frequently than in winter when the plant is dormant.

In addition to this, the pot’s/container’s size also affects how often you water your plants. As such, plants in a small pot usually dry out faster than those in a larger one hence, water more frequently and vice versa.

If you still want to learn more about watering plants and especially succulents, read more on How to Properly Water Your Succulents .

Step 6: Fertilize your Nanouk Plants

Nanouk plants aren’t heavy feeders and usually do well even without feeding.

But, they benefit a lot from a monthly feed with houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength when actively growing (in spring and summer).

However, be careful not to over-fertilize as this might lead to Nanouk leaf tips turning brown.

In addition to this, make sure to dampen the soil before applying fertilizer and follow the fertilizer application rates and schedule as instructed. This helps avoid plant burn from fertilizer.

Once the growing season is over, stop feeding your plants.

Caution: Do not fertilize your plants right after repotting; not until after 6 weeks to reduce the chances of burning the new root growth.

Other Common Problems in Tradescantia Nanouk

A leggy nanouk plant.

If your Nanouk plant shows signs of fewer leaves and long stretched-out branches, it’s a signal that the plant’s leggy.

Legginess in a Tradescantia Nanouk is caused by inadequate light. Like I earlier explained, always grow your Nanouk plant in bright, indirect light (either from sunlight or, grow light).

Even though this plant was bred for compact growth, it’s not always the case as you might find it a little bit leggy especially when it’s not compact enough.

To avoid having a leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plant, pinch off the leggy growth. This allows for new growth hence, a bushier plant.

You can also stick the cuttings you’ve made right back into the pot and allow them to root and Improve compactness.

Brown Leaf Tips in a Tradescantia Nanouk Plant

This is an indication that the humidity levels are lower than what the plant requires. Like I discussed earlier Tradescantia Nanouk is a humid-lover, and providing it with the right humidity levels is the only way to deal with this problem.

Apply the different ways of ensuring a constantly humid environment for your plant explained earlier in this article under ‘ Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Nanouk Plant Leaf Patterns/variegation Fading

This is caused by too much light and if not controlled in time, the leaves will burn or discolor completely.

To manage how much light gets to your plant, move the plant away from direct sun rays and keep it at a spot with minimal sun rays both in the mornings and evenings.

Nanouk Leaves Curling/A dropping Nanouk Plant

The leaves of your Nanouk plant may curl either inwards or outwards due to moisture and light levels and this is usually accompanied by some discoloration. 

Lack of enough moisture or dehydration as a result of too much light or not enough water causes the leaves to curl inwards to preserve the available moisture.

If the leaves are curling outwards, it’s an indication of too much water or not enough light.

The solution to this problem is to balance the light exposure and watering frequency. For clarity, you can refer to the light and watering requirements earlier discussed in this article ‘ Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light and Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis’

Like you have seen growing and caring for a Nanouk plant is easy provided you keep in mind its basic needs.

Whether you are a beginner or you’re used to houseplants, the information you just got will come in handy as you continue growing bountiful numbers of this plant.

And once you experience the striking dash of delight this plant brings to your household, I bet you’ll be addicted to it.

It’s time for you to give it a try.

Wishing you the best of luck with growing and caring for your Tradescantia Nanouk Plant!

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Tradescantia Nanouk Plant Invention