The Wandering Jew plant (Tradescantia) is a famous versatile houseplant. The popularity of the plant is eye-catching colored leaves. It has become the best choice for indoor garden fans or landscape designers due to its rapid growth habit. Various varieties of uses & deep history make the favorite choice.
The Wandering Jew plant is a member of the Commelinaceae family, including spiderworts. The domestic area is the Americas, particularly the tropical and subtropical regions. The Tradescantia family has different plants, and Wandering Jew is one of them. While it can be forwarded outdoors in some places.
| Common Name: | Spiderwort, inch plant |
| Botanical Name: | Tradescantia |
| Family: | Commelinaceae |
| Plant Type: | Herbaceous perennial |
| Mature Size: | N/A (vining species) |
| Sun Exposure: | Full sun, partial shade |
| Soil Type: | Moist but well-drained |
| Water Need: | Average |
| Soil pH: | Neutral to acidic |
| Bloom Time: | Year-round |
| Flower Color: | White, purple, pink |
| Fertilizer: | Half strength liquid |
| Hardiness Zone: | 4b to 12a |
| Height: | Up to 14 inches |
| Spacing: | 10 to 14 inches |
| Native Area: | Mexico, South America, Caribbean |
| Toxicity: | Few varieties are mildly toxic |
Characteristics
The basic 5 characteristics help gardens choose the Wandering Jew for their home garden or in-door planting:
- Leaf Color and Texture: The leaves are naturally patched with shades of purple, green, silver & white which gives the eye-catching look of the plant. The texture of the leaves is shiny & glossy depending on the variety of plants.
- Size: It grows up to 2 feet (60cm) in length & sometimes its size depends on the growth conditions but only a few inches are increased.
- Flowers: The wandering jew plant produces small three-petalled followers naturally in pink, white and purple.
- Flower Duration: The duration of the flower is a few days or a week. The life duration of a blooming flower is short but a new appearance makes the environment beautiful and pretty.
- Blooming Season: In ideal conditions, the plant usually produces from spring to early summer. However, blooms can continue now and then through the warmer months.
Popular Types
Here are 3 most popular kinds of Wandering Jew plants (Tradescantia species):
1. Tradescantia Zebrina (Zebra Plant)
Tradescantia Zebrina is called a Tricolor or Spiderwort. It is perfect for beginners because it can hardly grow. It can easily grow indoors & outdoors. In outdoor intemperate (zones 9-11), or as an annual in colder areas where it freezes in winter.
Characteristics of Tradescantia Zebrina
- Leaves: The leaves are egg-shaped or spread about 2 to 4 inches long & grow alternately along the stems. They have a mixed coloration of green, purple & silver stripes.
- Growth Habit: The plant that spreads or hangs down from its stems. This makes it perfect for places like hanging baskets, pots, or even ground cover on the floor.
- Flowering: It produces small three-petaled flowers, typically light pink to purple.
- Blooming Season: Flowers generally appear in late spring or summer but can bloom occasionally throughout the year, especially under optimal care.
- Size: Plant size is mostly tall 6 to 12 inches & 12 to 24 inches spread if the given space climbs.
2. Tradescantia Pallida (Purple Heart)
The plant is also called Purple Heart or Purple Queen. It looks fantastic with beautiful purple leaves. It is a type of Wandering Jew plant that is easy to care for and grows quickly.
Characteristics of Tradescantia Pallida
- Leaves: Its branches are purple, new growth looks to be brighter purple, while older growth may dull to a darker shade. That makes its colorful appearance which is the main thing people love about it.
- Flowers: Small flowers of pink & purple appear on the plant which makes the plant look so beautiful.
- Blooming Season: Tradescantia Pallida (Purple Heart) typically blooms in late spring to summer.
- Growth Habit: By hanging baskets spreading out & looking nice make realx for eyes.
- Size: The plant easily grows 12 to 18 inches tall. Its spread depends on growing conditions.
3. Tradescantia Fluminensis
Tradescantia Fluminensis is another famous kind of Wandering Jew. The other name of the plant is Green Wandering Jew or Creeping Jenny. The plant needs little maintenance.
Characteristics of Tradescantia Fluminensis
- Leaves: The leaves are oval-shaped & narrowly rounded corners. The leaves are commonly light to medium green which makes the look of a plant attractive.
- Flowers: Three plates of small flowers grow in pink & purple colors on the plant.
- Blooming Season: The time of Tradescantia Fluminensis blooming season is spring & summer. The flower life is just one or two days.
- Growth Habit: In a short period the plant grows rapidly & spreads very quickly.
- Size: Generally it grows 4 to 6 inches tall & vertically with the help of support the size of the plant is 12 to 18 inches.
How to Care
The Wandering Jew plant is a famous houseplant admired for its colorful leaves. It is easy to grow & can boom with minimal care if its basic needs are met. Everybody wants to care for a Wandering Jew plant in easy ways. Here’s a guide to caring for your Wandering Jew plant:
1. Light
The plant-like bright light but indirect bright light is best for blooming the flowers or leaves. Too much direct sunlight burns the leaves & too little light causes a faded color of leaves. In summer you move their place from indoor to outdoor making sure it is in a shaded or partially shaded area, protecting it from the harsh afternoon sun.
2. Soil
Wandering Jew can grow well in a standard houseplant potting mix but improve your potting mix by adding compost, perlite, and peat moss. This will help the soil hold just the right amount of water while also draining well.
This will help to maintain the balance between water retention and drainage. Observe how the soil behaves after watering the plant & make adjustments as needed. The ideal soil pH for a healthy Wandering Jew ranges from 5 to 6.
3. Water
When you feel the top inches ½ of soil dry to the touch, keep watering properly. Too much or over-watering damages the root so ensure the pot properly drains.
4. Humidity
The ideal humidity for its plant is 70 %. To maintain their humidity in the summer season keep using humidifiers.
5. Temperature
The plant prefers cold temperatures ranging from 60°F to 75°F. It can handle the warm temperature also.
6. Fertilizer
For healthy growth use a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in growing seasons spring & summer. Reduce the quantity of fertilizer in the fall & winter when the plant is not active for growth.
7. Pruning
Pruning of the plant is very important to keep healthy because it gets long and leggy. You need to cut the stem. It will help the plant to grow more branches and fast.
Toxicity
- To Pets: The plant is considered toxic for pets, especially cats and dogs. But it is not a high toxicity if they chew the plant they will face skin irritation, vomiting or drooling.
- To Humans: Some people have sensitive skin to handling a plant or touching a plant or leaf if they are sensitive to plants in the Tradescantia family. They see skin irritation or rashes.
Propagation
Propagation of wandering jew is very easy & simple by cutting the stems. Propagation in Water, Propagation in soil and Replant Wandering Jew in Fresh Soil. Here’s how:
How to Propagate a Wandering Jew Plant in Soil?
- Propagating a Wandering Jew plant in soil is a simple process. Start by choosing many healthy cuttings from the ends of the branches. To cut a 45-degree angle use a sharp blade to make a proper node. Remove the leaf from the bottom of each cutting.
- Now take a basket or 6-inch pot & fill it with the potting soil. 2 inches deep & evenly holes make a round basket. Place each cutting in a hole & generally press or balance the soil around the stem.
- For a new healthy plant keep the pot in a place where indirect bright light easily observes the stem.
How to Propagate Wandering Jew Plants in Water?
- Propagating a Wandering Jew plant in water is a simple or effective method. Select a healthy stem that is at least 4 to 6 inches long. For cutting use sharp & clean scissors at the point where leaves and roots grow from the stem.
- For water propagation, remove the leaf 1 to 2 inches from the bottom part and place it into the water jar. Ensure that no leaves are submerged. Change the water in a few days to keep the water fresh. Roots are beginning in 1 or 2 weeks.
Benefits
The plant not only looks beautiful it also makes the place eye-catching & easy to grow. Let’s explore the benefits of Wandering Jew Plant:
- Air Purification: It improves the air quality indoors and also helps filter the air which makes your home a cleaner and healthier environment.
- Low-Maintenance: It is an ideal plant for beginners that does not require too much care or attention.
- Fast Growth: Wandering Jew plants grow rapidly to cover the empty space very fast.
- Looks Beautiful: The plant has colorful leaves with a combination of shades of pink, purple, and green. It adds an awesome touch to any room.
- Adds Moisture to the Air: Like other plants, wandering Jew adds moisture to the air which makes the air less dry, especially where a place of air is dry.
- Reduces Stress: The gardening hobby is very beneficial for humans. Plants help to lower stress and improve your mood. Caring for the plants and greenery around you makes you feel more relaxed.
- Good for the Outdoors: In the warm areas, the plant is used as a ground cover. It grows quickly and helps prevent soil from washing away.
- Helps with Pests: While it doesn’t directly keep pests away, having plants like the Wandering Jew can attract helpful insects, like pollinators. Healthy plants also help create a natural environment that may reduce pests.
Pests and Diseases
The is generally resilient, but it can still suffer from various diseases and issues that affect its health. Here are some common diseases and conditions that can affect the Wandering Jew plant:
- Powdery Mildew: In this disease, you will see white powder on the plant leaves. It is a symptom of high humidity or poor airflow. For healthy plants, trim the all sick leaves, and make sure the plant has good airflow. Use the plant spray to kill fungus.
- Root Rot: It is a sign of too much water & the water does not properly drain. The leaves have turned yellow & the roots are extra soft.
- Leaf Spots: Dark spots on the leaves are symptoms of fungal or bacterial infection. It is often from water sprayed on the leaves. Treatment of leaf spots is very easy. Just Cut off the affected leaves & avoid getting water on the leaves. Make sure the plant has enough space to breathe.
- Pests: Tiny bugs are sucking the sap from the plant & webbing on the leaves. These insects feed on the plant. Spray the plant with toxicant soap or neem oil. You can also lift the leaves with water to get rid of the pests.
- Edema: Edema disease is water stress that means too much or uneven watering. Swollen spots show on the leaves. Water the plant properly and let the soil dry out between watering.
