A Perfect Choice for First-TimePlant Owners

Light

Wandering jews display particular sensitivity to receiving the correct light dosage. They require ample light for maintaining their vibrant color, but exposing their leaves to direct sunlight can result in burns (except for the purple queen variety, which thrives in full sun).

The optimal position for cultivating them indoors is a window facing east or west. This way, they receive abundant natural light during the morning/evening and bright, indirect sunlight for the remainder of the day.

Insufficient light exposure leads to a fading and dull appearance of their leaves. Thus, if a location with abundant natural sunlight is unavailable, incorporating a grow light is advisable.

However, if the decision is made to transfer the inch plant outdoors for the summer, it is crucial to place it in a shaded or partially shaded area, sheltered from the intense afternoon sun.

Water

The wandering jew plant prefers its potting mixture to remain consistently moist but not excessively saturated. In situations with indirect light, hydrate your wandering jew plant once a week or when the upper layer of soil becomes arid. Ensure that the soil never reaches complete dryness.

Nevertheless, when irrigating your desiccated potting mixture, administer water in intervals to guarantee thorough absorption by the soil, preventing it from simply flowing out of the planter. Apply a small amount of water, pause for a while to allow the soil to soak it up, and then proceed with watering until it drains from the planter’s bottom drainage hole.

Soil 

The soil for your wandering jew is suitable for a conventional houseplant potting blend, yet they will thrive even more in soil enriched with additional organic material.

Enrich your potting mixture by incorporating some organic compost, perlite, and peat moss. Strive for the optimal equilibrium between retaining water and facilitating drainage. Water the plant and observe the soil’s tendency, then make adjustments accordingly. The preferred soil pH falls within the range of 5 to 6.

Humidity 

Another crucial aspect of effective wandering jew plant care is humidity, and a substantial amount is required. When the humidity drops too low, the leaves will begin to brown and wither.

This becomes particularly challenging when cultivating them indoors in the winter season, as the air inside our homes tends to be excessively dry. Therefore, maintaining high humidity levels is of utmost importance.

A convenient method to elevate humidity is by operating a nearby humidifier. Additionally, it is advisable to place an indoor humidity monitor close to your inch plant.

You may also place the pot on a pebble tray filled with water (avoiding soaking) or opt for growing it in a small plant cloche or a miniature indoor greenhouse.

Temperature and Humidity

Your inch plant thrives most in a temperature range of 60 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Exposure to frost can be fatal to the plant. However, in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, the plant might endure light frosts. In these regions, if the leaves wither, there’s a chance the plant will revive in the spring.

When the external temperature consistently drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, container-grown plants should be relocated indoors. While intense heat can scorch the leaves, the plant can endure high temperatures much better than it can tolerate cold.

An optimal relative humidity of 70% is recommended for Tradescantia plants. Indoors, achieving the right humidity level can be accomplished by utilizing a plant humidifier or misting the plants daily with filtered or distilled water.

Pruning

The Inch plant generally doesn’t necessitate specific pruning. Pruning becomes relevant for the creeping inch plant in two scenarios: firstly, to eliminate withered foliage, and secondly, to govern the plant’s shape and growth pattern. If left unattended, the spiderwort plant tends to become leggy; to maintain a fuller appearance, periodically prune the stems or pinch back at least one-fourth of the branch length.

Utilize sharp and clean pruning shears or scissors to trim stems to the desired length, cutting at an angle between leaf nodes. To eliminate dead or yellowing leaves, simply pinch them away, ensuring the leaf stalk is also detached from the main stem.

Fertilizing

Spiderwort plants typically don’t require regular fertilization as part of their routine care. However, they can certainly benefit from occasional nourishment.

Feeding is only necessary during spring through summer; refrain from fertilizing in the fall or winter. Winter growth tends to be weak and leggy, and encouraging that is not desirable.

You can nourish your plant monthly with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. I suggest opting for organic plant food over synthetic alternatives, as wandering dudes can be sensitive to chemical fertilizers.

A quality organic general-purpose fertilizer or compost tea would be excellent choices. If you prefer, you can also incorporate slow-release organic granules into the soil.

Fish emulsion and liquid kelp are also effective options, but it’s advisable to use them outdoors as they can emit a strong odor when used indoors.