Tradescantia Zebrina Care: The Wandering Jew Plant

Tradescantia zebrina (also called wandering jew, inch plant, or spiderwort) is one of the fastest-growing trailing plants you can grow. The leaves are striped with purple, silver, and green, and the undersides are bright purple.

It is ridiculously easy to care for. Tradescantia tolerates lower light, grows fast, and propagates easily. If you want a colorful trailing plant that does not require much effort, this is it.

Quick Care Summary

  • Light: Bright, indirect light (tolerates medium light)
  • Water: When top 2 inches of soil are dry
  • Humidity: Normal household humidity is fine
  • Growth habit: Trailing vine (very fast-growing)
  • Biggest mistake: Too little light (loses color)

Light

Tradescantia needs bright, indirect light to maintain its vibrant purple coloration.

Best light:

  • East-facing window
  • A few feet back from a south or west window

Signs of too little light:

  • Leggy growth
  • Purple fades to green
  • Slower growth

Signs of too much light:

  • Faded, washed-out colors
  • Brown, crispy edges

Watering

Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Tradescantia likes consistent moisture but is forgiving.

How to water:

  1. Check the top 2 inches of soil
  2. If dry, water thoroughly until it drains
  3. Empty the saucer

Typical schedule:

  • Spring and summer: Every 5 to 7 days
  • Fall and winter: Every 10 to 14 days

Soil and Pot

Use well-draining soil.

Best soil:

  • Standard potting mix with perlite (2:1 ratio)

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes
  • Hanging basket or high shelf

Temperature and Humidity

Tradescantia is not fussy.

  • Temperature: 60 to 85 F
  • Humidity: Normal household humidity (40 to 60 percent) is fine

Fertilizer

  • Fertilize every 4 weeks in spring and summer
  • Use balanced liquid fertilizer (diluted to half strength)
  • Skip fertilizing in fall and winter

Pruning

Tradescantia grows very fast and can get leggy. Prune regularly to keep it full and bushy.

How to prune:

  1. Cut back long, leggy stems
  2. Remove yellowing or damaged leaves
  3. Prune just above a node to encourage branching

Pro tip: Prune every few weeks during the growing season to keep it compact.

Propagating Tradescantia Zebrina

Tradescantia is one of the easiest plants to propagate. It roots in water within days.

How to propagate:

  1. Cut a stem with 2 to 3 leaves
  2. Place in water
  3. Roots develop in 3 to 7 days (yes, really)
  4. Transplant to soil when roots are 1 to 2 inches long

You can also propagate by laying stems directly on top of moist soil. They will root where they touch the soil.

Common Problems

Leggy growth

Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot and prune aggressively.

Purple fading to green

Not enough light. Move to a brighter spot.

Yellow leaves

Overwatering. Check soil moisture and drainage.

Brown tips

Underwatering or low humidity. Water more consistently.

Pests

Tradescantia is pest-resistant but can attract aphids or spider mites. Wipe leaves regularly.

Tradescantia zebrina: Classic purple and silver stripes.

Tradescantia fluminensis ‘Tricolor’: White, pink, and green variegation.

Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart): Solid deep purple leaves.

Tradescantia nanouk: Pink and green variegation.

All varieties have similar care needs.

Why Tradescantia Is Perfect for Beginners

  • Extremely fast-growing
  • Tolerates lower light
  • Easy to propagate (roots in days)
  • Colorful
  • Forgiving

Tradescantia is a great starter plant for kids or new plant parents.

What To Do Next

  • If your Tradescantia is leggy, prune it back hard and propagate to make it fuller
  • If you love colorful foliage, try Tradescantia nanouk (pink variegation)
  • If your plant is losing color, move to brighter light
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