How to Grow Wandering Jew
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Wandering Jew
Tradescantia zebrina
vineWandering Jew is a fast-growing, trailing houseplant known for its striking purple and green striped foliage on the upper leaves and vibrant purple undersides. It's a member of the Spiderwort family and is prized for its low-maintenance nature and ability to quickly fill hanging baskets and containers. The plant produces small, delicate three-petaled flowers that are typically pink or purple.
When should you plant Wandering Jew in your zone?
Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.
Example Wandering Jew timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Wandering Jew
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Wandering Jew
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Wandering Jew dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10b-11 outdoors; widely grown as a houseplant in all zones
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Get my Wandering Jew timeline →Growth Stages
Propagation
1-2 weeksSingle stem cuttings or small rooted sections develop initial root systems in water or soil.
Keep propagation medium moist and warm (65-75°F). Cuttings root easily within 1-2 weeks in water or soil.
Establishment
2-4 weeksYoung rooted plants develop multiple leaf nodes and begin producing lateral stems.
Maintain bright, indirect light and consistent moisture. Pinch back tips to encourage bushier growth.
Vegetative Growth
Ongoing during growing seasonPlant rapidly produces new foliage with characteristic striped leaves; trailing vines extend outward.
Provide bright light to maintain vibrant purple coloration. Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with balanced, dilute fertilizer.
Flowering
Sporadic throughout year indoorsSmall, three-petaled pink or purple flowers appear among the foliage, though flowers are inconspicuous.
Flowering is incidental to the plant's appeal. Maintain regular care; flowers do not require special attention.
Maturity & Maintenance
Indefinite with proper careMature trailing vines can reach 12-24+ inches long with dense foliage coverage in hanging containers.
Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage fullness. Remove leggy growth by pinching or cutting back stems.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity; mist leaves regularly. Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe.
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Remove with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. Treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.
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Manually remove; treat with horticultural oil or neem oil.
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Spray with water to dislodge; treat with insecticidal soap if infestation persists.
Uses
Houseplant decoration
HouseholdWandering Jew is an excellent trailing houseplant for hanging baskets, shelves, and terrariums. Its vibrant foliage adds color and visual interest to indoor spaces with minimal care requirements. [source]
Air purification
HouseholdLike other Tradescantia species, Wandering Jew helps filter indoor air by removing common pollutants. It's safe around pets and children, making it ideal for family homes. [source]
Propagation & sharing
HouseholdThe plant's prolific, easy-to-root cuttings make it perfect for sharing with friends and family or for creating multiple plants for different locations. [source]
Non-toxic pet-safe plant
WildlifeWandering Jew is non-toxic to cats, dogs, and other pets, though some pets may experience mild digestive upset if ingested in large quantities. [source]
Harvest Tips
Wandering Jew is harvested by taking stem cuttings for propagation rather than traditional harvest. Cuttings of 3-4 inches with at least 2-3 leaf nodes root readily in water or moist soil. Harvest year-round, but spring and summer cuttings establish most quickly. Pinch back growing tips regularly to encourage bushier, fuller plants.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Wandering Jew gets its common name from the plant's trailing growth habit and ease of propagation—it 'wanders' from room to room as gardeners share cuttings, and it was historically called the 'Wandering Jew' plant due to a folklore connection.
- 🌱 The purple coloration on the undersides of leaves and in stressed conditions is due to anthocyanin pigments, which actually increase under bright light, making the plant more vibrant when given adequate illumination.
- 🌱 Tradescantia zebrina is invasive in some warm climates (particularly in Australia and parts of Asia) because it grows so vigorously and spreads easily through stem fragments, making it one of the most prolific plant propagators.
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