Consulta Plantas

Care of the indoor plant Tradescantia fluminensis or Wandering Jew

The genus Tradescantia, family Commelinaceae, comprises 30 species of herbaceous and perennial plants native to the American continent. Some species are: Tradescantia fluminensis, Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia spathacea, Tradescantia sillamontana, Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia multiflora, Tradescantia albiflora, Tradescantia brevicaulis.

Common names: Wandering Jew, Giant White Inch Plant, Inch Plant, Small-Leaf Spiderwort, Speedy Henry, River spiderwort, Variegated Wandering Jew, White Inch Plant, Wondering Jew, Wandering gypsy. This species is native to Brazil and Argentina.

They are herbaceous plants with a hanging habit and fleshy stems that reach 30 cm (11.8") in height. The leaves are oval and deep green or variegated. They produce attractive star-shaped white flowers. They bloom in spring and summer.

These fast-growing plants are used in hanging pots as a houseplant, greenhouse or terrace and to cover light undergrowth.

Tradescantia fluminensis requires exposure to semi-shade or filtered light; direct sun or shade does not suit it. It does not resist temperatures below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of 2/3 commercial houseplant substrate and 1/3 coarse sand. The transplant, if necessary, is done in spring, summer or autumn.

Water regularly with lime-free water so that the substrate never dries out completely; reduce watering in winter.

Fertilize every 20 days in spring and summer with mineral fertilizer at half the usual dose.

Prune dry leaves and branches from the base of the stems.

They are propagated by cuttings in spring or summer.

Images of the indoor plant Tradescantia fluminensis or Wandering Jew