Wandering jew plants thrive in any general purpose soil mix; however, if you tend to forget watering your plant or its soil dries out quickly, try mixing in peat moss or coco coir to help retain moisture. They also benefit from regular misting with water-soluble fertilizer.
If your wandering jew begins to become leggy, pinching its stems will promote branching and make for a healthier plant.
Watering
Wandering jews (Tradescantia zebrina, commonly known as inch plant) are easy-care plants for both indoors and outdoors, making a lovely addition to mixed containers or shade gardens. Unfortunately, however, they do not tolerate cold temperatures well so should be brought indoors at the first sign of frost to remain alive.
Brown leaves on wandering jew plants are typically caused by inadequate watering; these plants require frequent irrigation and cannot withstand soil that has become either too wet or too dry.
One easy way to test for adequate soil moisture levels is to prod the ground with your fingers – if it feels loose enough, that indicates enough moisture has soaked in. For sandy or clay-like soil types, add organic material for improved drainage.
Wandering jew plants also benefit from frequent misting and misting to maintain adequate levels of humidity. A lack of humidity can cause the leaves to brown, so increasing humidity by misting your plant or placing it on a pebble tray may help. Another solution could include using a humidifier or grouping it with other houseplants to create a microclimate is also effective in increasing humidity.
To propagate a wandering jew plant, begin with cuttings from healthy stems. Cut each cutting at an approximate 45-degree angle just beneath a leaf node on each stem and lengthen to four to six inches before dipping the ends in rooting hormone. Leave for about one week in water before planting the cuttings in all-purpose potting mix. Wandering jews are susceptible to pests like Aphids which feed off of sap from wandering jew plants if left unchecked – to deal with this problem apply insecticidal soap or Neem according to label instructions.
Light
Wandering jew plants (Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia fluminensis or Tradescantia pallida) are simple houseplants to care for and popular houseplant choices. Available cultivars range from variegated leaves with variegation to solid green or stripes of purple; their three petal flowers may be white, violet or pink – making these versatile houseplants great additions for adding color indoors as well as out! Though considered invasive in certain regions worldwide they make great additions – either indoor or outdoors!
These plants thrive when given bright indirect light; direct sunlight may scorch their foliage while light levels that are too low will lead to legginess. Wandering jews thrive best when grown outdoors in hanging baskets for maximum potential and indoors near east or west-facing windows; their forgiving nature makes them suitable for novice plant parents or people traveling frequently.
If your wandering jew plant seems to be losing its color or becoming less vibrant, try moving it to an area with bright indirect light; this is particularly helpful during the winter when sunlight may be lower in angle. Or add an LED grow light for more illumination of its surroundings.
Wandering jews thrive in standard houseplant potting mix, while they do even better when planted into rich organic soil. By including peat moss, coco coir or vermiculite in their mix you can improve water retention and aeration to aid with healthier and faster plant growth. This feature is especially important if forgetting to water regularly is an issue or your soil tends to dry out rapidly – these measures will ensure moisture remains locked into their root zone for greater plant health and faster development.
Temperature
Wandering jew plants thrive best in warm, moderate temperatures. While they can withstand brief bursts of cold weather, drastic temperature drops could quickly decline your plant and show symptoms such as wilted leaves and lack of vitality. If this occurs to you, be sure to assess environmental conditions within your home and make any necessary adjustments as soon as possible.
Indoor wandering jew plants thrive in slightly warmer conditions than their outdoor counterparts, though temperatures must remain relatively consistent to maximize growth. You can use a humidifier or group multiple plants together in order to increase humidity levels in your home.
Your wandering jew plant requires regular watering during its hot growing season. Aim to water until soil saturation, but avoid overwatering; for optimal results use a plant mister instead of pouring directly onto soil surface.
Wandering jew soil should be light, well-draining mixture of peat moss, coco coir and vermiculite to help retain moisture for longer, thus preventing overly dry conditions in their habitats.
Wandering jews are easy-care houseplants that can be propagated easily with stem cutting. This method is an excellent way of growing more of this stunning plant for yourself or to give as gifts, and for maximum success use a pair of clean and sterilized houseplant scissors or shears when performing the procedure – using clean tools will decrease the likelihood of your new plant rotting and failing to establish roots properly. Once you have a healthy stem cut from an established Wandering Jew simply place it into water or moist soil for propagation – within several weeks it should develop new roots!
Fertilization
Wandering jews are fast-growing plants that can quickly outgrow their container if given inadequate care and nourishment. To maintain optimal conditions for them, provide them with well-draining soil mix containing gravel or pebbles to enhance drainage; additionally potting mixes containing perlite or sphagnum moss will aid water retention.
Wandering jew plants require indirect light of adequate brightness; otherwise they’ll experience light deprivation if moved into shaded environments. They are sensitive to cold drafts; for best results avoid air conditioning vents. When overcrowded they can lose their vibrant appearance.
Your plant is growing quickly, so for optimal health use a balanced water-soluble fertilizer appropriate for houseplants – following its instructions regarding rates and frequency is best. A liquid or slow release granule fertilizer would work fine but don’t overdo it with excessive doses!
Wandering jew plants are easy to propagate in soil, and cuttings can easily be taken. To take cuttings, simply remove all but the top set of leaves on their stem and place it in moist potting soil for rooting within one month. If you want to grow one in its own pot instead, fill a 6-inch or 1-gallon container with well-draining potting mix; make an indentation with your finger where you intend to insert wandering jew stem before cutting at an 45-degree angle slightly beneath leaf nodes using clean sharp knifes.
Pruning
Before garden centers and nurseries became widespread sources for houseplants, housewives and householders exchanged cuttings freely among themselves. One popular species was Tradescantia zebrina (Tradescantia inch plant or flowering inch plant). This vining plant is most frequently seen hanging basket or windowsill plants but thrives well in most environments inside homes as it produces small three-petaled flowers in various colors while its leaves feature either purple, green, silver stripes or solid hues – drawing considerable attention from homewives and householders alike!
Tradescantia zebrina plants thrive in various soil mixes, but for maximum success they need rich, moist soil with bright indirect lighting. A 50/50 mix of peat moss and perlite is the optimal environment, though all-purpose potting soil may also work as an option.
plants may become leggy if overwatered or mistreated, however this can often be corrected simply by repotting into a larger pot, giving their roots more room to spread out and grow. You could also try increasing light exposure by placing them near windows or other sources of natural lighting.
Plants can often become susceptible to fungal and viral infections as well as aphid infestations, but by acting quickly you can usually rid them of these pests.
Pruning can also help your plant look its best by maintaining its health and attractiveness. Pinch back any leggy stems to encourage fuller growth if necessary; this should be practiced throughout the growing season as well as fall, winter, and spring months.
