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
| Species | Tradescantia zebrina |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Wandering Jew plant, Inch Plant, Purple Zebrina |
| Family | Commelinaceae |
| Genus | Tradescantia |
| Growth | Trailing, creeping |
| Height | 6.0ft / 1.8 m |
| Width | 2.0ft / 0.6 m |
| Soil | Requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. |
| Watering | Water every 7-14 days. |
| Light | Bright indirect |
| Temperature | 60.0 – 80.0°F / 15.6 – 26.7°C |
| Humidity | 40.0 – 60.0% |
| Fertilizer | Once a month |
| Propogation | Easily propagated through stem cuttings. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
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.
Wandering 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.
Soil
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.
Light
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.
Watering
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.
Humidity
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.
Fertilizer
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.
Growth
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.
FAQ
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.