Wandering Jew Plant Care & Complete Growing Guide

Wandering jew plants are fun to grow, and there are lots of different varieties that all require the same care.

Also known as “inch plant” or “wandering dude”, they are much loved for their unique bright colors, and their vining growth habit.

This comprehensive care guide will show you everything you need to know about how to grow Tradescantia, including water, light, soil, fertilizer, pest control, and much more.

Table of Contents

Wandering Jew Care Overview

Scientific name:	Tradescantia
Classification:	Tropical plant
Common names:	Wandering jew, wandering dude, inch plant
Hardiness:	Zones 9-11
Temperature:	50-80°F
Flowers:	Light purple, white, or pink
Light:	Partial to full shade
Water:	Consistently moist, do not overwater
Humidity:	High to average humidity
Fertilizer:	General purpose in spring and summer
Soil:	Houseplant potting soil
Common pests:	Spider mites, aphids, fungus gnats

Information About Wandering Jew Plants

Wandering jews (Tradescantia, aka “inch plant” or “wandering dude”) are trailing tropical plants which are originally native to Mexico. They’re commonly sold as annuals in cold climates, but they are actually tender perennials.

When you hear their name, you might think about the classic variety with purple and silver variegated leaves (Tradescantia zebrina).

But the same common names refer to a whole family of plants that fall under the scientific name of “Tradescantia”.

Purple variegated wandering jew (zebrina)

Different Wandering Jew Varieties

There are a whole bunch of different types of tradescantia plants you can grow, and they all require very similar care.

Here’s a list of the most common varieties. Be sure to 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 veil
Red burgundy
Purple fuzzy leaves
Green fuzzy leaves
Tricolor (‘Nanouk’)
White/green variegated
Purple queen (aka: purple heart)

Mixed planter of different Tradescantia varieties

Toxicity

According to the ASPCA website, Tradescantia can be toxic to both cats and dogs. So, for your pet’s safety, it’s best to keep this one out of their reach.

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.

Green and white variegated wandering dude

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 to be successful.

Outdoors

I find it much easier to move my plants outside for the summer. I put them on my shady front step, where they thrive and get huge. 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 outdoors on my front step

Indoors

Before frost hits in the fall, I bring my wandering jew plants inside, and keep them growing as houseplants.

Growing them indoors through the winter can be a bit difficult. But given the right care, you can keep your inch plant thriving year after year – which is totally worth it if you ask me.

If your plant is large, 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.

Two large wandering jew plants growing on obelisks

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.

Water

Tradescantias 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 to give yours the right amount, I recommend getting a moisture probe to help you out.

Humidity

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 is to run a humidifier nearby. You should also keep an indoor humidity monitor next to your inch plant.

You could also 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.

Purple heart wandering jew (Tradescantia pallida)

Light

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 them 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. So, if you don’t have a spot with lots of natural sun, then you should add a grow light.

But if you choose to move your inch 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 grow 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 warmer temps with shade, higher humidity, and consistent watering.

But 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.

Soil

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 dries out too quickly, then mix in some peat moss, coco coir, and/or vermiculite to help it retain moisture.

Fuzzy green and purple wandering jew plant

Fertilizing

Inch plants don’t really need to be fertilized as a part of their regular care. 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.

You can feed your plant monthly with a liquid fertilizer mixed at half strength. I recommend using organic plant food, rather than a synthetic one. Wandering dudes 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 the perfect environment, wandering jews will fill a container fairly quickly. So you may need 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.

The flowers can be purple, pink, or white, and it’s always fun to see them. Sometimes they will even bloom during the winter, which is a welcome surprise.

Small pink flower on a wandering dude plant

Pest Control

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 inch plant, allow the soil to dry out a bit more between waterings. You can also use a yellow sticky trap to help control them.

Purple and silver variegated wandering jew (Tradescantia zebrina)

Pruning

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, to avoid legginess. 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. You may also want to wear gloves, as the sap can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.

Learn more and get my detailed step by step wandering jew pruning instructions here.

Wandering jew vines pruned from the plant

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 simple.

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.

Learn more in my step by step guide for how to propagate a wandering jew plant here.

Wandering dude cuttings rooted in a vase of water

Troubleshooting Wandering Jew Plant Care Problems

It’s super easy to grow wandering dude 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 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.

Another possible culprit is pests. Inspect the leaves for bugs and treat any insect infestation right away.

Brown Leaves

The leaves tend to 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 Tradescantia plants 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.

Bolivian wandering jew in hanging basket

FAQs

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 soil weekly, and give it a deep drink when it feels dry 1″ down.

Does wandering jew like sun or shade?

Wandering jews like full to partial shade rather than sun, especially in hot climates. Indoors they need 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.

If you want to learn all there is to know about maintaining healthy indoor plants, then you need my Houseplant Care eBook. It will show you everything you need to know about how to keep every plant in your home thriving. Download your copy now!

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