Wandering jew plants are fun to grow, and there are lots of different varieties. This comprehensive wandering jew plant care guide will show you everything you need to know about how to grow Tradescantia indoors or out.
Wandering jew plants are much loved for their unique bright colors, and their vining growth habit. They look gorgeous in hanging baskets, or set atop a pedestal, where the tendrils can cascade down.
I love training mine to grow on the fancy obelisks that adorn my front step outdoors through the summer. Then I bring them indoors to keep them going as houseplants in the winter.
There are tons of different types, and they are fun to collect. The good news is that, no matter which variety you have, the wandering jew plant care instructions in this detailed guide are the same.
Wandering Jew Care Overview
Information On Wandering Jews
Wandering jews (Tradescantia) are trailing tropical plants which are originally native to Mexico.
Table of Contents
They’re commonly sold as annual plants in cold climates, but they are actually tender perennials.
When you hear “wandering jew plant”, you might think about the classic variety with purple and silver variegated leaves (Tradescantia zebrina, aka “inch plant”).
But the common name refers to a whole family of plants that fall under the scientific name of “Tradescantia”. They all require similar care, and all fairly easy to grow.
Different Wandering Jew Varieties
There are a whole bunch of different types, and they are equally beautiful. There are plain green ones, variegated, purple, and even fuzzy leaf ones.
Whew, with all those options, how will you ever decide which variety to grow (I guess you could just start a collection like me!).
Related Post: 17 Beautiful Purple Houseplants To Liven Up Your Home
Here’s a list of the most common wandering jew varieties (take a look at the pictures throughout this post to see what some of them look like).
- Bolivian (while this is called “wandering jew”, it’s actually a different species)Bridal veilRed burgundyPurple fuzzy leavesGreen fuzzy leavesTricolor (‘Nanouk’)White/green variegatedPurple queen (aka: purple heart)
Hardiness
Though they look extremely delicate, wandering jews are hardier than you might think, and can survive in zones 9-11.
They are not tolerant of the cold for very long, and will die at the first hard freeze if left outdoors. But they can easily be brought indoors and grown as a houseplant through the winter.
Where To Grow Wandering Jews
Before we get into the details of wandering jew plant care, it’s important to know a few key things about where to grow them in order to be successful.
Growing Wandering Jew Outdoors
I find it much easier for long term wandering jew plant care to move them outside for the summer, where they thrive and get huge!
As I mentioned above, I grow my wandering jew plants outside on my shady front step every summer. I have two large containers with obelisks in them that are perfect.
As the vines grow longer, I train them to climb the supports. By mid-summer they are absolutely gorgeous, and I get tons of compliments on them every year.
Wandering Jew Plant Care Indoors
Before frost hits in the fall, I bring my wandering jew plants indoors, and keep them growing as houseplants.
Growing them indoors can be a bit difficult, but given the right care, you can keep your plant thriving year after year – which is totally worth it if you ask me.
The most important things to consider when growing wandering jew indoors are proper watering, humidity, and adequate light.
Wandering Jew Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Despite their differences, all varieties of wandering jew plants have the same basic care requirements. So you can follow these growing instructions for any type that you have.
How To Water A Wandering Jew Plant
Wandering jews like to be watered regularly, and won’t tolerate their soil drying out for very long.
Keep the soil evenly moist (but never soggy) at all times. Give them a deep drink, and allow the excess to drain from the bottom of the pot.
They will tolerate being overwatered once in a while, but never allow the soil to stay wet for too long.
If you struggle with giving them the right amount I recommend getting a moisture probe to help you out.
If you don’t want to bring a large wandering jew inside, you could take cuttings and grow them in a vase of water. They won’t live that way forever, but if you keep the water fresh, they’ll be fine for several weeks.
Wandering Jew Humidity Requirements
Another key part of successful wandering jew plant care is humidity, and lots of it! When the humidity is too low, the leaves will start to turn brown and die.
This is the biggest issue with growing them indoors during the winter months, when the air in our home is super dry. So, it’s very important to keep the humidity as high as possible.
One easy way to increase the humidity level around your wandering jew plant is to run a humidifier next to it. You should also keep an indoor humidity monitor near your plants.
You could put the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (don’t allow it to soak in it though), or even grow it in a small plant cloche or a mini indoor greenhouse.
Wandering Jew Light Requirements
Wandering jews are pretty picky about getting the right amount of light. They need a lot of light to maintain their bright color, but direct sun will burn their leaves (except for purple queen, they love full sun!).
The ideal location for growing wandering jew indoors is an east or west facing window. That way it will get plenty of natural light in the morning/evening, and bright indirect sun for the rest of the day.
When they don’t get enough light, their leaf colors will fade and look dull. If you don’t have a spot with lots of natural sun, then add a grow light.
If you choose to move your plant outside for the summer, make sure to keep it in the shade or a partial shade location where it’s protected from the hot afternoon sun.
Temperature
Though wandering jews can tolerate short periods of extreme cold or hot temperatures, they grows best when kept between 50-80°F.
When it gets too far out of that range, the plant may start to suffer. It can handle a warmer temps with shade, higher humidity, and consistency watering.
If the forecast calls for frost or a short burst of freezing weather, either move it indoors, or cover it to protect the foliage from damage.
Best Type Of Potting Soil For Wandering Jew Plants
When it comes to soil, wandering jew plants aren’t picky, they will grow just fine in a general purpose mix.
But if you tend to forget to water (been there, done that!), or the soil drys out too quickly, then mix in some peat moss, coco coir, and/or vermiculite to help it retain moisture.
Fertilizing Wandering Jew Plants
Wandering jew plants don’t really need to be fertilized, but of course they will benefit from being fed once in a while.
They only need it spring through summer, don’t fertilize them in the fall or winter. Winter growth is usually very weak and leggy, so you really don’t want to encourage that.
As part of your wandering jew plant care routine, you can feed it monthly with a liquid fertilizer mixed at half strength.
I recommend using organic plant food, rather than a synthetic one. Wandering jews can be sensitive to chemical fertilizers.
A good organic general purpose fertilizer, or compost tea would work great. You could also add slow-release organic granules to the soil if you prefer doing that.
Fish emulsion and liquid kelp are also great options, but only use these outdoors (they can get a bit stinky when used indoors).
Repotting
When given the proper care and perfect environment, wandering jews will fill a container fairly quickly. So you may have to repot them annually.
If yours becomes pot-bound or you see roots either coming out the bottom holes or growing over the top of the soil, it’s time to size up.
Choose a container that’s 1-2″ larger than the current one, and replant it at the same depth.
Wandering Jew Plant Flowers
Fertilizing can also help encourage blooming. Wandering jew flowers are pretty small and insignificant, and not all varieties look the same.
A wandering jew flower can be purple, pink, or white, and it’s always fun to see them. Sometimes they will even flower during the winter, which is a welcome surprise!
Pest Control For Wandering Jew Houseplant
Bugs aren’t usually an issue when growing wandering jews outdoors. But spider mites, aphids, and fungus gnats can become a problem indoors.
To fight houseplant pests that infest the leaves, I recommend using neem oil, which is a natural pesticide.
I also like to use a mixture of 1 tsp mild liquid soap per 1 liter of water, and spray it on the leaves to kill the bugs. Insecticidal soap or horticultural oil also work great.
If you see gnats flying around your wandering jew houseplant, allow the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings. You can use a yellow sticky trap to help control them.
Pruning Wandering Jew Plants
It’s a good idea to make pruning a part of your wandering jew plant care schedule. Doing so will keep the vines compact and thick, giving it an overall fuller shape.
Trimming them encourages new growth, so it’s best to do it during the spring and summer months only. You can prune off dead and dying stems and leaves at any time.
For precision cuts, I recommend using bonsai shears or a micro-tip snip. Get my detailed step by step pruning instructions here.
Tips For Propagating Wandering Jew Plants
Wandering jew plants are super easy to propagate. Take cuttings that are 3-4″ long, and include a couple of leaf nodes.
Dip the cut ends into rooting hormone, then stick them in moist soil. Don’t allow the soil to dry out, and keep the air around the cuttings humid. A propagation chamber makes this super easy.
They are also simple to root in a vase of water, and you’ll start to see new roots in a matter of days. I like to use a clear vase so I can see when the roots start to form.
Troubleshooting Wandering Jew Plant Care Problems
It’s super easy to grow wandering jew plants outside, especially when it’s humid. But growing them indoors is a whole different story.
Most of the problems you’ll have with indoor wandering jew plant care will be due to inadequate water, light, and/or humidity.
Weak, Leggy Growth
This is very common during the winter months, and is caused by a lack of light. Check the location of your wandering jew to ensure it’s getting the right amount of sun, or add a grow light.
Leaves Look Dull & Faded
Dull, faded leaves can be caused by too much light, not enough light, or a bug infestation.
Outdoors keep them in a partial to full shade location, and indoors give them bright, indirect light.
Inspect the leaves for bugs and treat any insect infestation right away.
Brown Leaves
The leaves turn brown due to lack of water or humidity. Make sure to keep the soil evenly moist at all times, and mist them regularly if the air is dry.
Also, as they age, they tend to start dying out in the middle. When this happens, you can prune the vines and dead leaves to refresh the plant.
Learn more about what causes brown leaves and how to fix them here.
Yellow Leaves
When the leaves turn yellow, it’s almost always due to overwatering. Check the soil to make sure it’s not wet or soggy.
If it’s too wet, then let it dry 1″ down before watering it again. Use a moisture gauge to help you get it right.
In this section I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about wandering jew care. If you can’t find yours here, please ask it in the comments section.
Are wandering jews hard to grow?
When given the proper care, wandering jews are not hard to grow. They can be challenging as houseplants however. So for best results, put them outside during the summer, and overwinter them indoors.
Is wandering jew an indoor or outdoor plant?
A wandering jew can be either an indoor or an outdoor plant. If you live in zones 9-11, you can grow it outside all year. Otherwise, you’ll need to bring it inside during the winter.
How often should wandering jew be watered?
You should water your wandering jew plant only when it needs it, rather than doing it on a set schedule. Check the the soil weekly, and give it a deep drink when it feels dry 1″ down.
Does wandering jew like sun or shade?
Wandering jew likes full to partial shade rather than sun, especially in hot climates. Indoors it needs lots of bright, indirect light.
How do I make my wandering jew Fuller?
You can make your wandering jew fuller by pruning it regularly during the spring and summer months. Simply cut the vines to the desired length, then they will branch out and come back much fuller.
Where To Buy Wandering Jew Plants
It’s easy to find all kinds of wandering jews for sale during the spring. Just look for different varieties in the annual plant section at any garden center, or you can buy them online.
During the winter, you can find them in the houseplant section. But, it’s usually cheaper to buy them as annual plants during the spring and summer, so you may want to wait a few months.
Growing wandering jews indoors or outside is easy and fun! There are so many Tradescantia varieties to choose from, you could collect them all. The best part is that, no matter which one you choose, wandering jew plant care is the same for them all!
If you struggle with taking care of indoor plants, my Winter Houseplant Care eBook is perfect for you! It’s a comprehensive guide that will show you exactly how to keep them thriving all year long! Download your copy today!
More Houseplant Care Guides
- How To Care For Indoor Palm Trees And PlantsHow To Care For Rubber Plants: The Ultimate GuideHow To Care For A Pothos PlantAfrican Milk Tree: How To Grow & Care For A Euphorbia trigona PlantHow To Care For Foxtail Fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Myers’)
Share your wandering jew plant care tips in the comments below.
