Wandering Jew Care

Also known as Wandering Dude, Spiderwort and Inch Plants, this trailing plant is a member of the Tradescantia family and is grown for its beautiful purple leaves that can be solid colored or variegated. Perfect for hanging baskets.

Light – Bright, indirect light. It can tolerate moderate light but low light can cause its leaves to lose their vibrant coloration. Avoid direct sunlight which can cause leaf scorch.

Water – Wandering Jew prefers to be kept evenly moist but not soaking wet. Water once the top 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. When watering, water the soil not the plant, consistently wet stems can rot.

Soil – Moist, well-draining soil. All-purpose potting soils, like Espoma Potting Soil, are a great choice for these plants.

Temperature – Ideal temperatures are between 65° and 75°, though they can handle warmer temperatures. Do not expose to temperatures below 50° and keep protected from drafts.

Humidity – Wandering Jew does well in average home humidity levels, though they’ll flourish in higher levels. A nearby humidifier or a brightly lit bathroom location are easy ways to raise humidity.

Fertilization – Fertilization is generally not wanted and over fertilization can result in variegated varieties to lose that coloring. If a need for fertilization arises, dilute a balanced fertilizer, like Bonide Liquid Plant Food, and feed once every other month in spring and summer.

Size – Wandering Jew’s tendrils can reach up to 24 inches long. Longer tendrils can start looking scraggily, so pinch them back by about one third to encourage a fuller plant.

Repotting – Wandering Jew enjoys being slightly pot-bound so don’t repot too frequently. When the times comes to repot, select a container with good drainage that is not more than 2 sizes larger than its current container. Hanging baskets are great choice for Wandering Jew.

Propagation – Easily propagated via stem cuttings.

Toxicity – Moderately toxic to people and dogs, highly toxic to cats.