Wandering Jew Plant Outdoors

Wandering Jew is a common name given to several species of plants in the genus Tradescantia. These plants are native to North and South America, making them a very widespread species.

Wandering Jews can be found growing naturally in forests, on fences, walls, and on rocky ground. They are very adaptable plants, able to grow in dry soil or wet soil, sun or shade!

These plants are popular for their rapidly growing shoots and widely variable leaf patterns. Many varieties have marbled leaves or leaves with distinct shapes and sizes that add interesting texture to a garden or landscape.

The most common use for wandering Jews is as a decorative ground cover. They quickly spread by rhizomes, or underground stems, forming a carpet of green over time. Some gardeners like to plant wandering jew in pots as well for some extra colorful planting accents.

Care requirements for a wandering jew plant

The wandering jew plant can be planted in almost any pot. A wandering jew can also be planted in the ground, but it is recommended to plant it in the ground after it has grown some roots.

Wandering jew plants do not like to be overwatered. Make sure to always let the soil dry out before re-watering. If you have a wandering jew plant in a pot, rotating the pot every few days will help prevent root rot.

The wandering jew plant does not like direct sunlight. A shady location will be best for your wandering jew plant. It does not matter what season, all of them prefer the same amount of sunlight!

If your wandering jew starts to turn yellow and drop leaves, this is a sign of over-watering.

Where can I find a wandering jew plant?

Wandering jew is not a specific plant species, but a genus of several plants. Most wandering Jews are Heliconia plants, but there are also some Streptocarpus varieties that go by this name.

Because wandering jew is not a specific plant, the wandering jew you find at your local garden store or truck-grown may not be the same as someone else’s. This makes it hard to give specific care instructions to all wandering Jews.

The best way to determine what kind of wandering jew you have is to look at its leaves, flowers, and roots. All varieties have distinctive features that set them apart, so take a close look! You can also check online for pictures of different wandering Jews to see if yours matches any of them.

General care tips apply to all types of wandering Jews, however.

What season is best for planting a wandering jew plant?

Wandering jew plants are easy to grow, and you can start wandering jew plant bulbs any time of the year. Wandering jew plants do best when planted during the spring season, right after the winter season cleanup.

Wandering Jews do not like cold weather, so it is best to plant it when the weather is warm. The wandering jew plant will struggle to grow or even die if exposed to cold temperatures.

Because wandering Jews grow quickly, it is a good idea to prepare enough space for the growing roots. Quickly growing plants need more room to grow and spread out.

General tips: Check your wandering jew plant for insects before planting it and wash off any dirt on the roots.

What soil should I use?

Wandering Jew plants do well in potting soils that are not too heavy or not too light. A general all-purpose potting soil will work fine. If you want to upgrade your wanderer, try using moss potting soil instead!

Wandering Jews can also be planted in dirt taken from outdoors. If you dig up grassroots, make sure to wash the soil off so there is no remaining soil stuck to the plant.

When starting a wandering jew plant, it is best to use pots that have enough room for the roots to grow. A small pot may cause root rot over time, which is not good!

A wandering jew will grow tall and “leggy” so having a tall enough pot will help prevent this.

Does the wandering jew plant need sunlight?

No, wandering jew does not need direct sunlight to grow. In fact, wandering jew plants do best in indirect sunlight. Wandering jews will still grow beautifully in shade!

Because wandering jew plants are jungle natives, they prefer humid environments. Wandering jew plants like to be watered often, but their roots are sensitive to rot. Make sure to water at a reasonable time and do not let the plant sit in water.

General care for wandering jew plants includes pruning them every few months. This helps promote new growth and keeps the plant looking healthy and compact. It is also a good way to promote new flowers on the wandering christ ivy.

How often should I water my wandering jew plant?

Wandering Jew plants are very thirsty plants, so you will need to water your wandering jew plant frequently. You should water your wandering jew plant every day or twice a day if it is hot out.

Wandering Jew plants like wet roots, so make sure to water deep enough that the roots are wet. Let the plant dry out a bit before watering again, but do not let the plant wilt.

Because wandering jew plants have thick leaves, they can absorb a lot of water. Make sure to not over-water the wandering jew plant, or it may start to develop mold or yellowing on the leaves. Only use purified water on your wandering jew plant!

If your wanding jy plant starts to wilt, do not wait several days to re-water it- act quickly! Re-hydrate your wandering jew plant by giving it a good amount of water.

Does it have any pests?

A major concern when growing Wandering Jew is the risk of mealybugs. These tiny insects can quickly infest new plants, especially Wandering Jew.

Mealybugs attach themselves to plants and secrete a protective coating around themselves and their eggs. This makes it difficult to properly treat the plant, as you have to carefully remove the mealybugs and their protective layers.

They also feed on plant juices, which can slowly kill the Wandering Jew. Once established, mealybugs are very hard to eradicate, so early detection is important!

Check your wandering jew every few days for signs of yellowish dots moving around on the leaves or stems. If you see these, take a picture and bring your wandering jew to the store for a free inspection by our experts.

Can I use any chemicals on it?

No, you should not use any chemicals on the wandering Jew plant. You should also avoid watering it with tap water as it contains chemicals and minerals that can kill your plant. Instead, use rainwater or distilled water to water your wandering jew plant.

The wandering jew will eventually outgrow its current pot, so you may need to re-pot it. To do this, you need to find a pot that is slightly bigger in diameter than the current one. Then, you need to buy medium-quality soil that is chemical-free and does not contain too much peat moss.

Content are generated with AI, fact checked by editorial team.