The wandering wandering tradescantia zebrina plant, sometimes called to as inchplant, spiderwort, or, more lately, “wandering dude,” is a lovely plant that can thrive both indoors and outdoors (in many regions).
There are various types, but they all have gorgeous deep purple and green foliage with silver stripes that grow rather densely. If you want to step up the ante a little from snake plants and pothos plants, this is a terrific houseplant for you.
Although Tradescantia zebrina is resilient and forgiving, it typically doesn’t tolerate neglect to the same extent as a snake plant. So try it out! (Interested in learning more about those? Read my articles on how to take care of snake plants and pothos plants.)
Can I take my lost Jew outside?
The wandering jew plant often prefers warmer weather in its natural habitat. The ideal temperature range is between 50 and 80 degrees.
Wintertime is a time to exercise caution when the temperature is about 45 degrees. For brief periods of time, they can tolerate it, but if it continues for too long, the plant will start to die. Your plant’s ambient temperature can be kept above 50 degrees with the aid of a cold frame.
A piece of woven cloth can be useful if it appears that there will be a sudden frost and you do not have a cold frame. Although most fabrics only offer 2 to 5 degrees of warmth, this is still better than nothing at all.
Regarding heat, the wandering jew enjoys hot weather. However, they will require considerably more frequent watering when the temperature exceeds 90 degrees. It is beneficial to have some shade during the warmest time of the day.
The greatest location for a wandering jew plant outside is where the temperature maintains between 50 and 80 degrees for most of the year. Your plant will thrive if you provide it with a bright yet slightly shaded setting.
How should a Wandering Jew be cared for inside?
The Wandering Jew plant takes a while to start producing new leaves, unlike most indoor plants. Put your plant in a spot with plenty of indirect light. Almost none of your indoor plants should be in direct sunlight. Since direct sunlight frequently causes indoor houseplants’ leaves to burn, the term “high light” only applies to intense indirect light.
A wandering Jew, does he require sunlight?
Jews on the go are very particular about their lighting needs. However, direct sunshine will burn their leaves (with the exception of Tradescantia purple queen, which loves growing in full sun!). They require a lot of light to preserve their vibrant color.
Is Wandering Jew capable of being housed?
All varieties of wandering jew plants require the same fundamental maintenance despite their variations. So, regardless of the type you have, you can use these growing directions.
How To Water A Wandering Jew Plant
Wandering Jews don’t like their land to dry out for very long and prefer to be watered frequently.
At all times, keep the soil evenly moist (but never saturated). Give them a sip, then let the extra liquid drip from the pot’s bottom.
They may take occasional overwatering as long as the soil is never left wet for an extended period of time.
I suggest investing in a moisture probe if you have trouble giving them the proper dosage.
You could take cuttings and cultivate them in a vase of water instead of bringing a giant roaming jew indoors. Even though they won’t last forever, they’ll be good for a few weeks if you keep the water fresh.
Wandering Jew Humidity Requirements
Humidity, and lots of it, is another essential component of good wandering jew plant maintenance. The leaves begin to brown and die when the humidity is too low.
The major problem with growing plants indoors during the winter, when our home’s air is quite dry, is this. Therefore, it’s crucial to maintain a high humidity level.
Running a humidifier next to your wandering jew plant is a simple approach to raise the humidity level in the area. Additionally, you ought to have a humidity gauge inside close to your plants.
You could grow it in a small plant cloche or a makeshift indoor greenhouse, or you could place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (but don’t let it soak in it).
Wandering Jew Light Requirements
Jews on the go are very particular about their lighting needs. With the exception of purple queen, which loves full sun, they require a lot of light to maintain their vibrant color, but direct sunlight will burn their leaves.
An east or west facing window is the best place to grow wandering jew indoors. In this manner, it will receive a lot of natural light in the morning and evening, as well as bright indirect sunlight for the remainder of the day.
Lack of light causes their leaf hues to deteriorate and become drab. Add a grow light if you don’t have a location with a lot of natural sunlight.
If you decide to take your plant outside for the summer, be sure to place it where it will be shielded from the intense afternoon light in the shade or a spot with some shade.
Temperature
Even while wandering Jews may endure brief bursts of extremely cold or hot weather, their ideal growing range is between 50 and 80 degrees.
The plant may begin to suffer if it deviates too far from that range. With shade, greater humidity, and regular watering, it can withstand warmer temperatures.
If a brief period of freezing weather or frost is predicted, move the plant indoors or cover it to protect the foliage.
Best Type Of Potting Soil For Wandering Jew Plants
Wandering Jew plants don’t have a particular preference for soil; they can thrive in any mix.
However, you can add some peat moss, coco coir, or vermiculite to the soil to assist it retain moisture if you frequently forget to water (been there, done that!).
Fertilizing Wandering Jew Plants
Although they don’t actually need to be fertilized, wandering jew plants will of course benefit from being fed sometimes.
Do not fertilize them in the fall or winter; they only require it from spring through summer. You definitely don’t want to foster winter growth because it is typically quite weak and lanky.
You can feed your wandering jew plant once a month with a liquid fertilizer that has been diluted by half as part of your usual care regimen.
Instead of utilizing synthetic plant food, I advise using organic plant food. Chemical fertilizers might be irritating to wandering Jews.
Compost tea or a nice organic all-purpose fertilizer would work well. If you like, you could also mix in some slow-release organic granules with the soil.
Other excellent alternatives include liquid kelp and fish emulsion, but only use these outside (they can get a bit stinky when used indoors).
Repotting
Wandering Jews will easily fill a container if given the right care and ideal surroundings. Thus, you might need to repot them every year.
It’s time to size up if yours becomes pot-bound or you notice roots poking through the bottom holes or covering the soil.
Replant it in the same depth in a container that is 1-2 larger than the existing one.
Wandering Jew Plant Flowers
Additionally, fertilizing might promote blooming. The wandering jew flower is quite little and unimpressive, and different types have different appearances.
It’s exciting to see roaming jew flowers, which can be white, pink, or purple. They occasionally even bloom in the dead of winter, which is a pleasant surprise.
Pest Control For Wandering Jew Houseplant
In most cases, growing wandering Jews outdoors doesn’t present a bug problem. However, fungus gnats, aphids, and spider mites can cause problems indoors.
I suggest applying neem oil, a natural insecticide, to get rid of houseplant pests that attack the leaves.
To destroy the pests on the leaves, I also like to use a solution of 1 tsp mild liquid soap and 1 liter of water. Horticultural oil and insecticidal soap both perform admirably.
If you notice gnats buzzing about your wandering jew indoor plant, wait a little longer between waterings. A yellow sticky trap can be used to assist keep them under control.
Pruning Wandering Jew Plants
Make pruning a regular component of your wandering jew plant maintenance routine. The vines will remain thick and compact with regular pinching and trimming, giving the plant an overall fuller shape.
It is preferable to just trim them in the spring and summer because it promotes new growth. At any moment, you can cut away stems and leaves that are dead or dying.
I advise using bonsai shears or a micro-tip snip for precise cuts. Otherwise, conventional hand shears work great for severe pruning.
Is there sunshine coming through a window?
Indoor plants have a wide range of light needs, and many are especially sensitive to direct sunshine. But does sunlight that comes through a window count as direct sunlight? Let’s together research this.
Is light coming in through a window regarded as direct sunlight? Since some of the light is scattered and reflected as it goes through the window and lessens in intensity, light coming through a window is not always direct sunshine. The most direct source of light inside, light through a window, is typically at least 50% less bright than direct sunlight outside.
Your indoor plants need the correct amount of light to grow healthily, but you don’t want to overdo it to the point where they start to struggle. Discover how powerful light coming through a window actually is by reading on.
Where should plants be placed to get indirect sunlight?
The two types of light—direct sunlight and indirect sunlight—are the first topic we’ll cover in our indoor plant light guide. Both of these types of light are probably present in your home; the trick is to arrange your houseplants to take advantage of each type of light.
Direct Sunlight
Direct sunlight is defined as light that travels in a direct line from the sun to the plant. For instance, the majority of window sills receive direct sunshine. If your house doesn’t receive enough direct sunshine to feed your plant collection, you can also create direct light with LED grow lights.
Indirect Sunlight
When something blocks the sun’s path and diffuses or filters the light before it reaches your plants, this is known as indirect sunlight. Sheer curtains, furniture, a tree outside your window, or even a different indoor plant placed in front to shield the lower-light plant are some examples.
Do succulents require sunlight?
Depending on the type, succulents need six hours of sunlight each day because they are light-loving plants. You might need to gradually expose newly planted succulents to full sun exposure or give shade with a translucent screen because they can burn in direct sunshine.