The plant commonly known as Wandering Jew is a popular houseplant admired for its colorful, trailing foliage. While typically grown indoors, this plant can be cultivated outside, though its ability to survive year-round depends heavily on the local climate. Most popular tropical varieties, such as Tradescantia zebrina and Tradescantia fluminensis, are native to Central and South America and thrive in warm, humid conditions. Therefore, outdoor growth is often a seasonal arrangement in cooler regions or a permanent option only in mild climates.
Hardiness and Climate Tolerance
The survival of Tradescantia outdoors is dictated by its cold tolerance, which varies significantly between species. The popular tropical cultivars are tender and cannot withstand freezing temperatures. They begin to suffer damage when temperatures drop below 10°C (50°F), and a single exposure to frost is fatal.
For these tropical types, year-round perennial growth is limited to USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 12, where freezing is rare. In all other regions, gardeners must treat them as seasonal annuals. Conversely, some North American native species, often called Spiderworts (such as Tradescantia virginiana), are frost-hardy, surviving in colder zones down to USDA Zone 4 and tolerating temperatures as low as -20°C.
Optimizing Outdoor Conditions
When moving Tradescantia outdoors for the summer, careful management of light, water, and soil is required. The plant prefers bright, indirect light, similar to its typical indoor placement. Too much direct, intense sun, especially during the afternoon, can scorch the leaves and cause the vibrant color or variegation to fade. It is best to place the plant in a location that receives filtered morning sun or bright shade throughout the day.
Outdoor plants require more frequent watering than their indoor counterparts, particularly those grown in hanging baskets or small containers. The soil should remain consistently moist, but never waterlogged, as this can quickly lead to root rot.
The soil medium must offer excellent drainage, which is especially important if planting directly into a garden bed. Garden soil that is rich in organic matter and well-draining is ideal. If using a container, ensure it has ample drainage holes and consider amending the potting mix with materials like perlite or sand to enhance aeration.
Managing Outdoor Growth
One significant consideration for outdoor Tradescantia cultivation is its aggressive growth habit and potential for invasiveness. Certain species, particularly Tradescantia fluminensis, are notorious for spreading rapidly and are classified as invasive weeds in various warm regions. The plant’s primary method of dispersal is vegetative: even tiny stem fragments can easily root and establish a new plant.
For this reason, planting tropical Tradescantia directly into the ground is highly discouraged, as it can quickly form dense mats that smother native ground cover and seedlings. Container gardening is the recommended approach for these varieties, as it controls the spread and allows for easy relocation.
Outdoor exposure also means monitoring for common garden pests. Slugs and snails are drawn to the fleshy leaves and can cause noticeable damage. Aphids are another common visitor and can be managed effectively with a gentle spray of insecticidal soap solution.
As the season cools, tropical plants must be brought back inside before night temperatures consistently fall below 10°C. Before transitioning, thoroughly inspect the plant for hitchhiking pests like spider mites or mealybugs, which can quickly infest indoor collections.