The plant commonly known as the Wandering Jew belongs to the Tradescantia genus, which includes species valued for their vibrant, colorful foliage and trailing growth habit. Also called inch plants or spiderworts, they are popular houseplants due to their ease of care and ability to adapt to indoor environments. Their rapid growth and distinctive variegation, featuring shades of purple, green, and silver, make them an attractive addition to any interior space. This guide provides specific instructions for maintaining this fast-growing plant to ensure its long-term health and vibrant color indoors.
Defining the Ideal Indoor Environment
The preservation of the Tradescantia’s signature leaf colors depends primarily on receiving sufficient light. The plant requires bright, indirect sunlight to maintain its vibrant variegation, especially in cultivars like Tradescantia zebrina or ‘Nanouk’. When light is too low, the striking purple or pink hues in the leaves will fade, causing the plant to revert to a more uniform green color. Positioning the plant near an east or west-facing window, or a few feet from a bright south-facing window, offers the ideal light conditions.
Direct, intense midday sun can scorch the foliage, resulting in dry, brown spots on the leaves. Filtering harsh light with a sheer curtain prevents leaf burn while still providing the necessary brightness. The plant thrives in average indoor temperatures, ideally between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and should be kept away from cold drafts or direct heat sources that cause sudden temperature fluctuations.
While Tradescantia can tolerate typical household humidity levels, they prefer higher humidity, especially during dry winter months. Low humidity results in brown and crispy tips on the leaves, indicating the need for more moisture. Increasing humidity can be achieved by placing the potted plant on a shallow tray filled with pebbles and water, ensuring the pot itself is not submerged, or by using a room humidifier.
Routine Watering and Nutrient Requirements
Soil composition is the foundation for healthy root development and moisture retention. A standard, well-draining houseplant potting mix is suitable, often benefiting from the addition of perlite or sand to enhance aeration and drainage. The soil should have an acidic pH, generally between 5.0 and 6.5, which is typical for many houseplant mixes.
The most common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot. To prevent this, allow the top one or two inches of soil to dry out completely between waterings before soaking the soil thoroughly. This ensures the roots receive adequate moisture without remaining saturated for prolonged periods. Watering frequency should be reduced during the winter months, as the plant’s growth naturally slows down.
During the active growing season, the plant benefits from a regular feeding schedule. A balanced, water-soluble liquid houseplant fertilizer should be applied monthly to support the fast growth. Avoid fertilizing a plant that is already stressed or struggling, and cease feeding entirely during the fall and winter dormant period.
Managing Growth and Troubleshooting Common Issues
Tradescantia are known for their rapid, vining growth, which can quickly lead to a “leggy” appearance. Regular pruning is necessary to maintain a compact, bushy shape and encourage new growth from the base of the stems. Stems should be pinched back or trimmed to the desired length, focusing on the longest, most sprawling sections, ideally during the spring and summer.
The trimmed stem sections are easy to propagate, which helps refresh the parent plant or create new ones. A cutting four to six inches long, taken just below a leaf node, will readily root in water within a week or two. Once the roots are one to two inches long, the cuttings can be transferred to a pot with fresh soil. Placing several rooted cuttings together in a single pot results in a fuller, more robust new plant.
Indoor Tradescantia are susceptible to common houseplant pests, including spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. Spider mites leave fine webbing and cause white stippling on leaves, especially in warm, dry conditions. Mealybugs appear as small, white, cottony clusters, usually at the joints of the stems and leaves. Small infestations can be managed by gently rinsing the plant with water or wiping the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. For more severe issues, treatment with insecticidal soap or neem oil, applied to both the top and underside of the foliage, is effective.