The trailing houseplant commonly known as the Wandering Jew, or Inch Plant/Spiderwort, can absolutely grow in water. This plant belongs to the genus Tradescantia, which is exceptionally easy to propagate and maintain in an aquatic environment. The plant’s ability to quickly sprout roots from stem cuttings makes water propagation a popular method for creating new plants or maintaining a display without soil. While often used as a temporary step for rooting before potting, Tradescantia can survive and thrive long-term in a water-based setup, provided its nutritional and environmental needs are met.
Preparing Cuttings for Water Propagation
The process begins with selecting a healthy stem from the parent plant, which should be free of pests or disease. Use a clean, sharp tool like floral snips or sharp scissors to take a cutting that is roughly four to six inches long. Make the cut just below a node, the slightly swollen area where a leaf attaches, as this is where new root growth will initiate.
After making the cut, remove all leaves that would sit below the water line in your chosen container. Any plant material left submerged will quickly begin to rot, contaminating the water and potentially causing the entire cutting to decay. Gently pinch or snip off the lower leaves to expose at least one or two clean nodes on the stem. The removal of these leaves also reduces the plant’s surface area, limiting water loss until new roots are established.
Once prepared, place the stem cutting into a clean container of water, ensuring that the exposed nodes are fully submerged while the remaining leaves stay dry above the surface. The roots will typically begin to emerge from the nodes within one to two weeks, depending on the growing conditions.
Long-Term Care and Nutrient Needs
For sustained growth beyond the initial rooting phase, the aquatic environment must be carefully managed to mimic the nutrients usually supplied by soil. The Tradescantia requires bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant foliage color and compact growth habit. Insufficient light causes the stems to stretch and become “leggy,” making the plant look sparse. A location near a bright window that avoids the harsh direct sun of the afternoon is ideal for houseplant varieties.
Regular water changes are a necessary part of long-term water culture, refreshing the oxygen supply around the roots and flushing out waste products. Replacing the water completely once a week is recommended to prevent stagnation and the buildup of mineral deposits. Simply topping off the container only replaces evaporated water and does not address the depletion of dissolved oxygen.
Plain tap water lacks the necessary nutrients for a plant to grow indefinitely, so supplemental feeding is required. A highly diluted liquid fertilizer or a specialized hydroponic nutrient solution must be added to the fresh water during the weekly change. Applying a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer at one-quarter to one-eighth of the recommended strength provides the necessary elements for continued leaf and stem development. The delicate stems must be kept dry, with only the roots submerged, to avoid stem rot.
Troubleshooting Common Water-Based Problems
Root Rot
One of the most frequent problems in a water-based setup is root rot, identified by roots that turn brown or black and become mushy. This condition is usually caused by insufficient oxygen in the water or a bacterial infection from decaying plant matter. To resolve this, carefully trim away the affected roots with sterilized scissors to prevent the spread of decay. The container must then be thoroughly cleaned and the water replaced to ensure a sterile environment.
Algae Growth
Algae growth is another common issue, appearing as a green film on the container walls, which competes with the plant roots for nutrients and oxygen. This problem is best managed by using an opaque or dark-colored container, which blocks the light required for photosynthesis. For glass containers, regular cleaning is necessary, and placing the plant in a slightly less bright location can also help slow the growth of algae.
Legginess
If the plant exhibits sparse or elongated growth, this indicates insufficient light exposure. The plant stretches its internodes in an attempt to find a stronger light source. The solution is to move the container to a brighter spot with indirect light and prune the stretched stems back to encourage fuller, bushier growth.