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Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia or Spiderwort): Care, Types, Images and More

The wandering Jew plant is a common name for different species of plants that belong to the Tradescantia genus. There are around 75 different types of plants in Tradescantia genus and some are called inch plants, spiderwort, striped wandering Jew, Boat Lily, Purple Queen, or flowering inch plant. Wandering Jew plants are great house plants because they are relatively easy to care for. They are also easy to grow because the wandering Jew plant propagates easily from cuttings.

Some types of wandering Jew plants have green and gold leaves, some have reddish leaves, and others have green fuzzy leaves. There are also types of wandering Jew plants that flower. Depending on the species, the wandering Jew plant could have purple, white, or pink flowers.

How to care for wandering Jew plant : For the Tradescantia or spiderwort plant to thrive, grow in a plenty of indirect light and plant in fertile, moist potting soil with good drainage. Make sure the soil isn’t too dry or too damp and keep medium humidity levels. The ideal temperature range is between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (23°C). You can fertilize every four weeks during the growing season with a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer.

In this article, you will find all you need to know about this delightful houseplant. You will also get tips and ideas on how to care for your wandering Jew plants.

Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia or Spiderwort) – Overview of the Plant and Its Flowers

The botanical name for wandering Jew plant is Tradescantia zebrina and is also called the inch plant. However, the name wandering Jew is given to many herbaceous perennial plants in the Tradescantia genus. ( 1 )

Species of Tradescantias naturally grow outdoors in countries in Asia, Africa, Central and South America, and Australia. Varieties of wandering Jew plants also thrive well indoors, where, like their garden varieties, they grow well when it is warm, sunny, and moderately humid.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, various varieties of Tradescantias are regarded as invasive plants in the wild. However, it is the fast-growing nature of spiderworts, wandering Jews, and inch plants that makes them perfect houseplants. ( 2 )

Many people like to grow wandering Jews or spiderworts in hanging baskets or grow them in pots to decorate a garden.

What does a wandering Jew look like?

Plants from the Tradescantia varieties have leaves that seem to grow in all directions (hence the term “wandering Jew”).

One of the distinct features about foliage on wandering Jews is that many of them have striped leaves. Sometimes, the leaves can be purple and silver stripes, whereas other types of Tradescantias have leaves that are almost all silver. ( 3 )

You may also notice that some varieties of wandering Jew plant have different colors on the underneath of the leaf. For example, the Tradescantia zebrina has green/silver leaves on the upper side and deep red or burgundy colors on the underside.

Wandering Jew flower

Wandering Jew houseplants also produce attractive flowers. These flowers can sometimes be white or can range in color from pink to various shades of lilac and purple. ( 3 )

However, plant lovers don’t usually grow wandering Jews indoors or outdoors for their blooms. It’s the beautiful variation of leaf colors that makes various types of Tradescantias so desirable houseplants.

Types of Wandering Jew (Spiderwort) Plants

The most popular types of Tradescantia plants to keep indoors are Tradescantia fluminensis ( spiderwort ), Tradescantia pallida ( purple heart ), and Tradescantia zebrina ( wandering Jew ).

Wandering Jew or inch plant ( Tradescantia zebrina )

This type of  wandering Jew houseplant has purple and green leaves with a stripe pattern that resembles zebra’s stripes. There are types of wandering Jews that have bluish green leaves and purple hues on the underside.

Tradescantia fluminensis (spiderwort)

There are a number of types of Tradescantia that are called spiderwort. This is distinguished from some Tradescantias as it has ovel shiny dark green leaves with pointed tips which are slightly fleshy .

Picture of wandering Jew plant with white flowers

Tradescantia pallida (purple heart)

This type of spiderwort plant is also commonly referred to as wandering Jew. The T. pallida houseplants have vibrant purple leaves and light pink flowers when they bloom.

Wandering jew plant with deep purple leaves and light purplish-pink flowers

Tradescantia callisia

The leaves of T. callisia varieties are sometimes referred to as creeping inch plants. They have remarkably stripy leaves made up of green and white stripes.

Picture of green wandering jew

Wandering Jew Plant Care (How to Grow Spiderwort or Tradescantia)

Caring for wandering Jew plants is fairly simple and straightforward. All plants in the Tradescantia genus enjoy moist soil, sunny but indirect sunlight, and warm conditions.

So, it doesn’t matter if you have fuzzy leaf Tradescantias, purple queen varieties, spiderworts, or wandering Jews, they all require the same type of care.

Light requirements for Tradescantias

To make sure that wandering Jew plants grow successfully, they require a good amount of light. This ensures that they grow with healthy leaves that have a vibrant green, silver, purple, or lilac colors.

The best place to place wandering Jew plant or spiderworts is in an east- or west-facing location. This means that they get plenty of natural light without being in direct sunlight when the sun is at its strongest.

The only exception is if you have Tradescantia pallida plants with dark purples leaves. They usually thrive in direct sunlight, although you should regularly check them in the summertime to make sure the sun isn’t too strong.

One sign that your Tradescantia isn’t getting enough light is if the color of their leaves starts to fade.

Best growing temperature for Spiderwort or Tradescantia

One of the reasons why wandering Jew plants are good for the home is that they thrive in room temperature.

The best temperatures for growing any type of Tradescantia plant is between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (23°C). The houseplants also thrive in conditions that are described as “average humidity.”

If you grow Tradescantias outdoors, you should be aware of a drop in night temperatures and lower temperatures during winter. You should bring Tradescantias indoors if the temperature drops.

Best watering techniques for wandering Jew plant care

To care for your inch plant, spiderwort, or wandering Jew, you should keep the soil moist.

The best way to water a wandering Jew is to water the soil thoroughly and let the water drain out the bottom. Another way to water your purple house plant is to put water in the plant pot tray and allow the plant to soak up as much as it needs.

Some beginners who start caring for houseplants such as Tradescantias for the first time buy a soil moisture gauge to help get the soil moisture levels just right.

When it comes to proper watering for your wandering Jew, always make sure the soil isn’t too dry or too damp. Usually, weekly watering in the summertime is enough to keep your Tradescantia growing well.

The best fertilizer for wandering Jew houseplants

The reason why Tradescantias are so easy to care for is that they don’t usually require any feeding.

If you decide to encourage your inch plant or spiderwort to grow faster, then choose a liquid organic fertilizer mixed at half strength and use once a month.

Most houseplant growers don’t feed their wandering Jew plants in the fall or winter as they tend to become “leggy” or “straggly.”

Which type of soil to use for Tradescantias

To properly care for wandering Jew varieties of houseplants, you only need to plant them in regular potting soil.

How to prune wandering Jew plants

In time, Tradescantia plants require some cutting back and pruning. This helps to give your houseplant a bushier appearance and also gives you plenty of cuttings to propagate.

For Tradescantia pruning, you just need to pinch off the stem tips to leave about ¾ of the length. This will encourage your plant to grow better and become more attractive.

Growing Plants from Wandering Jew Cuttings

Even for the most novice of houseplant owners, propagating any type of Tradescantia plant is very easy. After you have cut back your “leggy” wandering Jew stems, you will have a large number of cuttings that you can use to grow new house plants.

How to propagate wandering Jew plant leaves

To prepare your wandering Jew cuttings or purple heart plant cuttings for propagation, you need a couple of stems about 1-2 inches long. Remove all the leaves apart from 2 or 3 at the end of the stem.

There are 2 ways you can grow wandering Jew plants from cutting:

• The first way is to just put a cutting in potting soil and wait for it to grow. All you have to do is make sure that the soil is kept moist and not overly damp.
• The other way to grow a Tradescantia from a cutting is to put the stem in water. You should notice that new roots start to grow within a week. When you notice new roots growing, you can transfer your cuttings to a pot to grow a new houseplant.

Wandering Jew Outdoor Plant Care

Tradescantia plants are great garden plants and grow well outdoors in warmer zones in the U.S. (USDA growing zones 9-11). In fact, it is because they grow so well outside in warmer countries and are quite invasive that they are classed as a weed in certain countries.

You can easily care for any Tradescantia plants to add color and beauty to your garden. Purple hanging plants or wandering Jew vines with stripy leaves can grace any patio, doorway, or garden area.

As with caring for wandering Jews or spiderworts indoors, Tradescantia plants growing outdoor should be protected from direct sunlight. So, place your plants in shady areas of the garden. But it’s good to remember that some bright light will help the wandering Jew plant produce more flowers.

Temperature

Also, frost can damage the plant, so, if you live in areas where fall and winter temperatures drop below 10°F (12°C), you should take them indoor and continue to grow them as houseplants.

Problems with Wandering Jew Plant (Spiderwort)

Even though it is relatively easy to care for wandering Jew plants, you can still come across certain problems.

Let’s look at some growing tips for Tradescantia plants to avoid or remedy some common problems.

The most common pest when growing wandering Jews indoors are bugs such as spider mites or aphids . The appearance of these pests on your bushy spiderwort or inch plant may be a sign that conditions are too dry.

To help remedy the problems of pests on your Tradescantia, mist the leaves regularly and make sure the soil is moist enough. You may need to wash off the mites with water to help get rid of the infestation.

One of the beauties about caring for wandering Jew plants indoors or outdoors is that they are not susceptible to disease. Usually, any discoloration of the leaves or poor growth is connected to the soil being too dry or too damp.

Fungal infections

Overwatering spiderworts, inch plants, or wandering Jews can cause a fungal growth called botrytis to develop in the roots.

Brown leaves

As with most problems associated with caring for Tradescantias, brown leaves can also indicate that the growing environment isn’t right. The leaves of your wandering Jew could have turned brown because of too much or too little sunlight. Also, too much watering can affect leaf health.

Where to Buy Wandering Jew Plants

Many garden centers and online stores stock many different varieties of wandering Jews. You will also find that Tradescantia cuttings are available online.

Because many different types of wandering Jews are so easy to grow yourself, you could ask a friend for a cutting if they have the plant. You can also get more Tradescantia houseplant or garden plants by propagating cuttings from plants you already have.

FAQ Related to Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia)

Do they need any pruning.

To properly care for wandering Jews, the leaves and stems require pruning. The stems can grow quite long and start losing their leaves from the base. The best time to prune any Tradescantia plant is just before the growing season in late winter or early spring.

You may also find that Tradescantias grow better if you give them a mild prune in late summer.

How to prevent wandering Jew roots from rotting?

Go easy on the watering to stop Tradescantia plants’ roots from rotting. Water them enough to keep the soil moist during summertime and only occasionally in the winter.

Are wandering Jew plant leaves toxic to animals?

While not toxic to cats or dogs, the leaves of wandering Jew plants can cause irritation. If you have pets that like to nibble on leaves, you can still benefit from the beauty of Tradescantias if you grow the outdoor plant in hanging baskets.

Can I grow my Tradescantia plant outdoors?

Yes, you certainly can. Wandering Jew plants grow well out of doors in warm climates. During the summertime, you can move your indoor houseplants to the garden and place them away from direct sunlight.

Dashes of purple colors, bright pinks, or interesting green and purple stripped leaves can make an interesting feature in any garden or balcony.

Can you train a wandering Jew plant?

Tradescantia plants are easy to train because their stems can grow very long and you can wrap them around objects. Wandering Jew plant stems can grow up on trellises or obelisks or up around any other item.

Heavily pruning wandering Jews in late winter can also help to train the plant to grow into a colorful bush.

How fast does wandering Jew plant grow?

Tradescantia cuttings should start growing roots within a week or so. Once the plant is established, you can expect it to grow about an inch every week. Some people claim this is the reason that some Tradescantias are called inch plants.

Can Tradescantia houseplants cause allergies?

The sap of wandering Jew plants or prolonged skin exposure to its leaves could cause allergic reactions.

The journal Allergy reports that indoor plants such as Tradescantia can also cause symptoms such as itching of the throat, swelling, wheezing, and runny eyes and nose. ( 4 )

Do wandering Jew varieties have any health benefits?

Although not widely used, extracts from Tradescantia zebrina have certain medicinal properties. You can buy inch plant herbal liquid extracts that are said to have many antioxidant properties.

Researchers have found that therapeutic compounds in Tradescantia extracts have antibacterial, anticancer, and antioxidant uses. ( 5 )

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Rooted Rare Pink Wandering Jew Plant, Tradescantia Nanouk, Live, Live Indoor, Home Decor, Easy to Grow, Easy to Care and Low Maintenance Houseplant (4")

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Tradescantias, also known as spiderworts or wandering Jews..

Tradescantias are low-maintenance houseplants that have been kept in homes for centuries. As they mature, they trail and vine, and look excellent in hanging planters and high shelves. They bloom tiny, purple flowers and often sport colorful foliage with pink, purple, or white variegation.

So, why are they nicknamed wandering dudes? The true story behind the name gets a little sticky, but we'll save that for another time. Tradescantias are known as wanderers because in nature, they spread around with ease, and in the home, they are one of the easiest plants to propagate in soil or water. They are adaptable and grow quickly, and one healthy plant can supply you and your friends with cuttings for generations.

Common Issues of Tradescantias

Tradescantias live their best life in bright indirect light, but often are placed in medium light situations. This is fine, but it can cause the plant to grow quite leggy, displaying long stems and little foliage. To prevent this, you can place it in brighter light, but we know that everyone doesn't have the luxury of ceiling to floor windows. Alternatively, you can keep your plant under a grow light, or regularly prune it back, placing the cuttings back into the soil for a fuller look.

How to Plant, Grow and Care For Tradescantia Plant

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Customers like the growth rate, color, and health of the plant seeds. They mention they're easy to grow, flourishing, and look show-ready. Some also like the size. However, some customers disagree on the quality, value for money, and plant condition.

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Customers like the color of the plant seeds. They mention the leaves have a pretty color, the plant is healthy, and looks show-ready. Customers also appreciate the oodles of buds on top that are blooming into pretty white flowers.

" Beautiful , well packaged, and happy little plant. I just love it!" Read more

"... She's beautiful . I let her settle and put her in a 6 inch pot with some banana water. Thank you...." Read more

"...It looks very healthy and i love the colors ...." Read more

"...planting soil now its got oodles of buds on top all blooming into pretty white flowers !..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the health of the plant. They mention it arrived healthy, even through freezing weather, and is 100% thriving. Some say the soil was damp and the plant looks very healthy.

"Beautiful, well packaged, and happy little plant . I just love it!" Read more

"...before and although the plants aren't very "full" they have been pretty healthy so far.Here's to hoping soil propagation will work!" Read more

"...I haven’t had it long, but it looks like it’s arrived healthy . If it was pink, I would have given 5 stars." Read more

" Arrived healthy , even through freezing weather." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the growth rate of the plant seeds. They mention they're easy to grow and are already sprouting new life. Some say the plant is gorgeous and already growing taller. Customers appreciate the instructions and that the plant doesn't seem very finicky.

"...out with the 4" pot and it has graduated into a 10" pot and is growing great . I get compliments on by everyone that comes in the house...." Read more

"The plant itself is beautiful and easy to grow ! The reason for 3 stars is because the plant was packaged/shipped in a "messy" manner...." Read more

"...vibrant on the underside of the leaves and they are growing both from the root AND flowering and it'll be no time before it starts hanging over the..." Read more

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Customers like the size of the plant. They mention it's small but mighty.

"...The plant was healthy and a nice size . I am very happy with it!..." Read more

"...Repotted the rest and I am hoping for the best. Good color and good size leaves just wish better care had been taken." Read more

"...Overall a good plant after some TLC Is given, but MUCH smaller than I had anticipated based on other review pictures." Read more

"They arrive small and well contained in. Bloomington grew into beautiful house plants" Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the plant condition. Some mention it's a very hardy plant with no breakage or flaws. Others say some of the plant was broken when they opened it.

"I forgot to update. I did get a refund bc it started dying , getting soft. I dug her up and broke the soil off completely and there were 0 roots...." Read more

"...They all arrived with no wilt , brown spots or yellow spots. They didn’t look any worse for wear and appeared happy...." Read more

"...breathe at all, and the plant arrives completely bent, crushed, and collapsed . If it wasn't for my daughter's gift, I'd clean it up right away...." Read more

"...Original review 5/24/21: Tradescantia Nanouk came with 50% of the mother plant broke off which usually shocks a plant... and one that already has..." Read more

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"...I'm thrilled! Well worth the cost . I'm home bound mostly, and getting these three, on Easter Sunday, added a joy to my day. They are so healthy!..." Read more

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Customers are dissatisfied with the leaves falling off the plant seeds. They mention they arrived with half the soil falling out and not in good shape. Some customers also say the plants wiggle and loosen from their roots.

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How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant (Your Complete Guide)

When it comes to houseplants able to brighten up indoor spaces, it doesn’t get much more colorful than the variegated foliage of a Wandering Jew plant ( Tradescantia zebrina ). With their hardy nature and ease of care, they are a perfect choice for those feeling they kill everything they bring indoors. We’ve listed a quick summary of their care below.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant: Grow your Wandering Jew in well-drained soil, kept moist but not soggy through regular watering. Create humidity, keep indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) and fertilize monthly.

Continue reading because we’ve taken all the guesswork out of caring for your Wandering Jew and keeping it healthy and happy for years to come.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jew plants belong in the Commelinaceae family, which includes around 652 different species. The family is made up of herbs, climbers and several epiphytes, with some used as outdoor and indoor ornamentals like Wandering Jew.

There are three different plants commonly known as Wandering Jews; Tradescantia fluminensis , Tradescantia pallida , and Tradescantia zebrina. Of the three, Tradescantia zebrina is the most common one grown and has the most eye-catching and colorful foliage. All three have the same requirements for care and good growth.

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, Wandering Jew is classified as a tender evergreen perennial that performs well planted outdoors in frost-free regions. Those living in cooler environments can easily grow it as an indoor plant planted either in containers or in hanging baskets. Outdoors it’s typically used as a quick-growing groundcover.

Although a common name shared with several very different plants, Wandering Jew is often called Inch Plant , due to the leaf margins being spaced about an inch apart. You may also find Wandering Jew listed as Zebrina Pendula , but is synonymous with Tradescantia zebrina and is the same plant.

When it comes to Wandering Jew plants, it’s all about the attention-grabbing foliage. The succulent stems give way to leaves that are a deep purple on their undersides with the upper portion striped in silvery-gray and greenish-blue. The oval leaves grow to about 2.5 inches long and the stems grow about 2 feet long. It makes a beautiful plant used in hanging baskets, with the long stems cascading over the side.

Even grown indoors, Wandering Jews have a fast rate of growth and before you know it, the plants will be spilling over your container’s or hanging basket’s sides. Whereas some indoor plants seem to take forever to fill out, this isn’t a problem with properly cared for Wandering Jew plants.

There are several other cultivars (varieties) of Wandering Jew, which include:

• ‘Purpusii’ has unstriped, hairy foliage that is either solid red or reddish-green.
• ‘Quadricolor’ produces metallic-green foliage striped in red, white and green.

Wandering Jew plants are the ideal candidates for beginner houseplant gardeners due to their hardiness and robust growth. Below we’ve outlined all the basics of their proper care, as well as identifying and preventing any potential problems so you can enjoy your Wandering Jew for years to come. The best indoor plants are those that are happy and healthy.

Soil Conditions For Wandering Jew Plants

Wandering Jew plants tolerate growing in a wide range of soils provided they drain well. Although they do tolerate and prefer moist conditions, the soil must drain properly to prevent root and stem rot from occurring. Therefore, it is necessary to use a lighter weight soil mixture in your pots rather than heavier soils that don’t provide proper drainage.

Straight potting soils are usually too heavy, retain too much moisture and have a tendency to leave the soil soggy. You can use a heavier potting soil in your soil mixture, just be sure to incorporate a lighter soil mix to provide the Wandering Jew the drainage required for healthy growth.

Commercial potting mixes work well and many have a slow-release fertilizer mixed in, which cuts down on the need for frequent feedings. The slow-release blends usually continue to fertilize the Wandering Jew for about three months.

You can also make your own soil by mixing several ingredients together such as:

• Using equal parts of compost and a potting mix.
• Mixing equal portions of compost, peat and potting soil or a potting mix.
• Using equal portions of a course sand, compost and potting soil or a potting mix.

Whatever soil you choose to use, just make sure it drains well and contains a bit of fertility for the best performance of your Wandering Jew plants.

Preferred Light Conditions

Although Wandering Jew plants tolerate lower light conditions than many houseplants, to help retain those striking colors the plant is known for, place the container in a location indoors receiving filtered sunlight. If your plant starts losing some of the color in the foliage, move it to a location that receives a bit more light.

In addition, if the lower portion of the stems start suffering leaf drop, the Wandering Jew isn’t get enough light and needs to be relocated to a brighter area inside the home.

Once the warm weather of spring arrives and if you’d like to give your Wandering Jew a bit of a break from its indoor location, place it in an outdoor spot that receives partial sun to partial shade. Moving it to an outdoor location with too much sun may leave the foliage sunburned.

Indoor Temperature Requirements

In the Wandering Jew’s native environment, temperatures are consistently warm without the threat of frosts or freezes. Generally, if the indoor temperatures inside your home are comfortable for you, they will also be comfortable for your Wandering Jew plant.

Indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) are a good range for your Wandering Jew plants. Plants grown in this temperature range produce the healthiest growth.

If you gave your plants a break from their indoor location, just make sure to bring them back indoors before the cold weather of winter strikes.

Water Requirements

Wandering Jews prefer soils that are regularly kept moist, not soggy, compared to many indoor houseplants. However, this doesn’t mean the soil should be kept so wet they never begin to dry out. Keeping the soil too wet for too long promotes rot to set in and you may end up killing your Wandering Jew plants. Your Wandering Jew is more likely to forgive you if you forget to water over watering too much and too often.

A good rule to follow is if the soil starts to feel like it’s about to become very dry, apply water. It’s easy to know exactly when to water by:

• Sticking your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to feel dry, water until it runs from the container’s bottom drain holes.

During the warm growing season of spring through summer, you can probably expect to water once each week. However, during winter when the Wandering Jew goes into dormancy (its growth slows), you will probably only need to water about every other week.

Humidity Requirements

Compared to many tropical plants grown indoors, Wandering Jew plants aren’t quite as fussy about humid conditions , but still need some humidity for the best growth and performance. Don’t let the thought of creating a humid environment stress you out because replicating humidity for your indoor plants is relatively easy and basic.

• Fill a spray bottle with room temperature water and mist the Wandering Jew several times each week.
• If you’re growing the Wandering Jew in a container and not in a hanging basket, you can set the pot on a tray of pebbles. As you water, the water seeps from the bottom drain holes onto the tray of pebbles and as it evaporates, it creates a humid environment around the plant.
• If your bathroom gets the appropriate amount of light for the Wandering Jew, you can allow it to grow there. Due to the regular use of water in a bathroom, moisture is created, creating the humidity the Wandering Jew requires.

Fertilizer Needs

Unless the soil mixture contains a slow-release fertilizer blend, which feeds the Wandering Jew for about three months, fertilizing monthly is sufficient for proper growth. You have several choices when it comes to fertilizer you can use for your Wandering Jew plant.

• Use a houseplant fertilizer applied at half-strength, applied when you do your regular watering.
• Use an all-purpose, water-soluble blend for outdoor and indoor plants, applied at half-strength and used during your regular watering schedule.
• If your soil mixture didn’t contain a slow-release fertilizer or it’s been about three months, if one was contained in the soil, you can reapply slow-release fertilizer granules sprinkled over the top of the soil. Follow the package directions on amounts.

When it comes to the appropriate time of year to fertilize the Wandering Jew, only fertilize while it’s actively growing, which is spring throughout summer. In winter, the plant goes through a dormant stage and all growth slows, so there is no need to apply fertilizer. Wait until spring arrives before you resume fertilizing the plant.

The one thing you will need to pay attention to when it comes to fertilizing is the buildup of salts in the soil, which can result in foliage burns. Wandering Jew plants have a low tolerance to salty soils. Preventing any salt buildup is relatively simple:

• If the plant isn’t too big, you can take the entire pot to your sink or bathtub and allow water to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes, flushing out any salts.
• If the plant is too big for indoor flushing, take it outside and allow water from the hose to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes. Allow the water to drain and then bring the plant back indoors.

Pruning Requirements

The pruning needs of Wandering Jew plants are low. If you want to control the size of the plant and promote bushier growth, you can pinch off the tips of the stems. To keep the plant always looking its best, you can trim off any broken, dead or damaged stems and leaves throughout the year.

When using pruning tools to trim your Wandering Jew always make sure they are clean so you don’t transfer any diseases or pests to your plant. This is as easy as wiping off the blades with alcohol.

Some people experience skin irritations when handling the cuttings due to the sap , so if you are unsure if you are one of these unlucky gardeners, it might be best to wear gardening gloves when pruning or handling Wandering Jew cuttings.

Potting Needs

If you purchased your Wandering Jew already potted in a hanging basket or 1-gallon container, it should thrive as is for a year or more before it requires repotting. However, if you received rooted cuttings in smaller containers like 4- to 6-inch pots, you most likely need to repot them into something a bit larger so they can grow properly.

This also cuts down on the need for repotting in a month or two as the Wandering Jew begins to outgrow its present pot.

When it comes to the pot’s material, any type works quite well for growing this plant from clay to plastic. However, if you grow your Wandering Jew in a pot made of a porous material like terra cotta, the soil is going to dry quicker than if it was growing in a plastic pot. This means you will need to water more frequently.

Once your Wandering Jew starts getting too big for its present container, it’s time to repot it into one that is around 1- to 2-inches larger. Although the plant likes a moist soil, make sure the pot has bottom drainage to prevent the possibility of rot due to conditions that are too wet.

If you like, you can dress the container up by placing the draining one inside a decorative pot without bottom drain holes, but be sure to empty out any additional water once the inner pot thoroughly drains.

I think a decorative outer pot can add so much to the beauty of your houseplants, so I do this with almost all of my houseplants. Read this article which discusses my favorite decorative planters if you need some inspiration.

Potting and repotting your Wandering Jew is basic:

• Gently remove the Wandering Jew from its present container, being careful not to break the succulent stems.
• Fill the new container that drains about a quarter of the way full with a fertile, well-drained potting mix.
• Check the Wandering Jew’s root system and if it’s growing bunched together and filled the previous pot, gently tease the roots apart with your hands.
• Place the Wandering Jew into the new container and finish filling it with soil.
• Water the Wandering Jew until it runs from the bottom drain holes and place in a bright location indoors.

Propagating New Plants

When it comes to propagating new plants, Wandering Jew is about as easy as it gets. Even if you have never done this before you should have success starting its cuttings. When you trim to control its size, don’t throw those cuttings away but use them to start additional plants.

You have two choices when it comes to rooting your cuttings and both are easy. The first thing you will want to do is obtain your cuttings. Trim off a 4- to 6-inch cutting from the mother plant and you’re ready to start rooting.

Rooting in Soil

• Fill a 6-inch to 1-gallon container that drains with a rich, well-drained potting mix. Water the soil to settle it.
• Make about a 2-inch indentation in the soil where you want to place the Wandering Jew cutting.
• Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting where you will be inserting it into the soil. You can do this by pinching them off with your fingers.
• Place the cutting into the indentation and firm the soil up around it with your fingers.
• Water the soil again and place the cutting in the same light conditions where the mother plant was thriving. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Roots should form in about four weeks and after about eight weeks, the Wandering Jew cuttings should form a new root system.

Rooting in Water

• Fill a glass jar or plastic container with about 3-inches of room temperature water.
• Pinch off any leaves from the section of the Wandering Jew cutting that will be submerged in the water.
• Place the cutting in the water and situate the container in a bright indoor location.
• Change the water in the container about every other week, or when cloudy.

You should start seeing new roots form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots are several inches long, you can repot the cuttings into a draining container filled with fertile, well-drained soil.

Disease Problems

Wandering Jew plants grown indoors are hardy and don’t have major diseases that plague them. However, rot is their biggest enemy and caused by soils that are too heavy and do not drain properly, retaining too much water. Overwatering and planting in pots that don’t drain are other causes of rot problems.

When rot rears its ugly head you’ll notice the bottom stems, as well as the foliage turning black, becoming mushy and the entire plant collapses. If this happens and seems to start affecting the entire Wandering Jew plant, you can trim off healthy, unaffected sections of the stems and repot into fresh, clean soil. Since there is no saving the rot-infected sections, you will have no choice but to discard those portions of the plant.

Steps for preventing problems with rot include:

• Using lightweight potting mixes that drain well and aren’t too heavy, which leads to the soil remaining too wet for too long. Some types of potting soils have a tendency to be heavy and need mixing with a potting mix, compost, coarse sand or peat.
• Don’t overwater your Wandering Jew. Although they prefer growing in moist soils, this doesn’t mean constantly soggy soil. Stick your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to become dry, apply water until it runs from the bottom of the pot.
• Make sure the pot you are growing your Wandering Jew in has bottom drainage. If you have placed the pot inside a decorative one that doesn’t drain, make sure to empty all the water from it after you have watered.

Pest Problems

Although indoor Wandering Jew plants are not big candidates for problems with pests, several can cause an infestation and problems. As with any pest problem indoors or outside in the garden, quick control is always the best option to keep your plants healthy. It also assures the pests do not migrate to your other plants causing even bigger problems and headaches.

The pests most likely to infest your indoor Wandering Jew plants are:

• Aphids: Aphids come in a host of different colors and are tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking insects that usually congregate in large masses along the Wandering Jew’s stems. In large infestations, they can kill the plant or severely weaken it. If the infestation is small, you can wipe the pests off the stems with a moist cloth. However, if the infestation is large, you will probably have to spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the package.
• Spider Mites: Spider mites are another sap-sucking pest that if left unchecked can quickly kill or weaken the Wandering Jew. It is easy to tell if you have a spider mite problem as these tiny, white pests spin fine webbing that covers the plant. Spider mites can be the bane of houseplants so quick control is necessary. Use an insecticidal soap or Neem and spray the entire plant, reapplying as suggested on the product label.
• Whiteflies:   Whiteflies are other sap-sucking pests that can quickly kill or weaken your Wandering Jew if not quickly controlled. They are another easily identifiable pest, as just touching the plant sends the tiny whiteflies from the plant’s foliage and into the air, hovering right above it. Control the problem with an insecticidal soap or Neem, spraying the entire plant and reapplying as suggested on the product’s label.
• Mealybugs:   Sap-sucking mealybugs show up on the Wandering Jew as cottony masses covering the stems and crotches of the foliage. Control the problem by spraying the entire plant with insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the product’s label. If the infestation is small, you can also wipe them from the stems and leaves with a damp cloth.

Is Wandering Jew A Perennial?

Wandering Jew plants are considered a tender, evergreen perennial. Unlike annuals, and if grown in preferred conditions with proper care, Wandering Jews should live and keep on growing for quite a few years, both indoors and outside.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Plant’s Leaves Losing Their Color?

If your Wandering Jew is growing in light conditions that are too low, the leaves will start to lose their color and become duller. When grown indoors and to keep the bright color on the foliage, make sure the Wandering Jew is growing in a location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew’s Leaves Dropping?

Wandering Jew plants grown in light conditions that are too low will start dropping leaves at the base of their stems. Solve the problem by moving the plant to an indoor location that is brighter. For the best leaf color and growth, they prefer an indoor location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Cuttings Rotting In Soil?

If your Wandering Jew cuttings are rotting in soil it could be one of two things causing the problem. The soil you are growing the cuttings in may be infected with a fungus that is infecting them with rot.

You can solve the problem by planting the cutting in a sterile, well-drained potting mix. Another cause might be the soil is remaining too soggy and the container doesn’t drain.

Make sure you are using a soil that drains well and doesn’t remain soggy, do not overwater and use a container with bottom drainage. Water the cuttings when to top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Can I Root Wandering Jew Cuttings In Water?

Wandering Jew cuttings root quite well in water. Fill a container with several inches of water, remove any leaves that would be submerged and stick the cut end into the water.

Fill the container with fresh, clean water about every other week. You should start seeing root form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots get several inches in length, you can repot the cuttings in a draining container with rich, well-drained soil.

Are Wandering Jew Plants Toxic?

When it comes to humans, Wandering Jew’s sap can cause skin irritation in humans that are allergic to it. Therefore, it’s best to wear gardening gloves when handling or pruning the plant.

The plant is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, due to its tendency to cause skin allergies and dermatitis. To keep your pets and children safe, make sure you situate your indoor Wandering Jew out of the reach of both.

If you’d like some indoor plants that are non-toxic, check out this article which discusses my favorite non-toxic houseplants.

Do Wandering Jew Plants Produce Blooms?

When grown outdoors, Wandering Jews produce small, three-petaled, lavender flowers, but the plant rarely ever blooms grown indoors as a houseplant.

Can I Grow Wandering Jew Outdoors?

Wandering Jew plants grow as perennials planted outdoors in frost-free climates, however, those with cooler weather can plant outdoors and treat it as an annual.

What’s The Growth Rate For Wandering Jew Plants?

When grown in proper conditions with proper care, Wandering Jew plants are considered fast growers.

Many thanks for reading my guide to Wandering Jew care. This really is a great indoor plant for your home. Beautiful and easy to care for, its hard to go wrong.

If you want more help with looking after your indoor plants, check out the rest of my articles , and head over to my resources section , where I have some great recommended resources, books and equipment to help you grow healthier, more beautiful plants.

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How to Grow and Care for Tradescantia Nanouk

@plant.heart.city

In This Article

You’ve probably spotted this trendy plant on your Instagram feed. Tradescantia Nanouk ( Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’), also known as fantasy venice, is a special type of spiderwort plant that’s become a must-have for plant lovers. Pink, white, purple, and green stripes pattern its lush leaves on upright stems. Under the right conditions, it can grow as a long trailing ivy , and you’ll even find small white and yellow flowers emerging from its pink buds during the growing season. It grows quickly and vigorously.

This plant was specifically designed to be colorful , attractive, and easy to grow. Unlike other plants in the Tradescantia and Zebrina genera, Tradescantia Nanouk is unique in that it’s a patented plant, developed in the Netherlands in 2012. It originated in a program aiming to create a more vigorous, hardy plant with showier blooms .

• Botanical Name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’
• Common Name: Tradescantia Nanouk, fantasy venice
• Plant Type: Perennial, trailing vine
• Mature Size: 3–6 inches high, 12–24 inches long (trailing)
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix, optional vermiculite or peat moss
• Soil pH: 5.0–6.5
• Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs

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Tradescantia Nanouk grows best in bright, indirect light, so a north- or east-facing window is best. Water your plant when the top inch or so of the soil is dry, and take care not to let it completely dry out. North-facing windows will provide less light, so your plant will need less water there than in an east-facing window.

Because the plant thrives in a humid environment, it’s great to keep it in a bathroom window since the steam from your shower or tub will keep the air moist. You can also create a humid environment by grouping your Tradescantia Nanouk closely with other humidity-loving plants and running a humidifier nearby. Another option is to create a humidifying tray beneath your plant.

It is such a hardy grower that it doesn’t require fertilizing. If you’d like to fertilize your plant, feed it with a standard houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every two to four weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons.

When cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk, save the stem cuttings, and use them to propagate new plants. 

Best Growing Conditions for Tradescantia Nanouk

Tradescantia Nanouk grows well in daytime temperatures up to 75 degrees, with night temperatures ideally in the mid-50s. If you notice yellowing leaves and rotting roots, you're likely overwatering. Wilted leaves, on the other hand, may mean you're underwatering.

Use a standard, well-draining houseplant soil when potting your plant. To enhance drainage, it’s a good idea to add a few handfuls of perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand to the mix. Be sure to use a pot or container with a hole in the bottom and a drainage tray to protect household surfaces.

Under the right conditions, your plant will flower during the growing season (roughly spring through autumn). Its flowers are small and star-shaped and typically have white, yellow, and pink accents.

Types of Tradescantia Nanouk

The Tradescantia and Zebrina genera include many different variants similar to the Tradescantia Nanouk. Perhaps the most common is the wandering Jew ( T. zebrina ), a spiderwort often grown indoors and in gardens. Another popular variation is the inch plant (T. cerinthoides) , earning its name for its tendency to ‘‘inch along’’ as it grows along the ground or trails downward from a hanging planter .

The boat lily ( T. spathacea) features similar colors to Tradescantia Nanouk but grows in long, pointed leaves from an upward bunch rather than along vine-like stems. Even T. sillamontana , known as cobweb spiderwort and bearing little resemblance to its relatives in the genus, is part of the same family. However, with its fuzzy, geometric-shaped leaves and bright purple flowers, you may not recognize it as being related at first glance.

T. fluminensis— sometimes called small-leaf spiderwort and commonly grown indoors or as a ground cover—may be the most similar in appearance to Tradescantia Nanouk. This trailing variant bears the same pink, white, and green colors but typically has white flowers and more prominent green areas on its leaves.

How to Propagate Tradescantia Nanouk

Like its fellow Tradescantia and Zebrina species, Tradescantia Nanouk is very easy to propagate from tip and stem cuttings. Propagating in soil works well, but initiating cuttings in water allows you to monitor root growth. This plant can be propagated through several methods. Here’s how:

Step 1: Select stems on the mother plant with a few sets of leaves. These cuttings are ideal for growing new plants.

Step 2: With clean, sterilized pruners, make a diagonal cut on the stem near the plant’s base. Snip off the bottom leaves from the cutting, ensuring a few sets of leaves remain. 

Step 3: Fill a few jars halfway with water. Place the cuttings in separate jars, and fill them with water just below the leaves. To propagate with soil, simply use a small pot with soil in place of water during this step.

Step 4: Place the cuttings in a warm spot with bright, indirect light, but make sure they're out of direct sunlight. Over the next few weeks, roots should grow from the submerged leaf nodes. Add more water as necessary. 

Step 5: When the roots are at least 2 inches long, the cuttings are ready to plant. To create a full-looking adult plant, fill a pot with soil, and plant four cuttings around the edge of the pot, with a fifth cutting in the center. 

Step 6: Care for your new Tradescantia Nanouk as usual.

Common Growing Problems With Tradescantia Nanouk

Although Tradescantia Nanouk was bred to be an easy-growing plant , it’s prone to common growing problems, like root rot and loss of leaf color.

It’s ideal to water the soil directly so that you avoid getting the area between the leaves wet, which can cause the plant to rot. Be consistent with waterings, ensuring the soil stays moist and doesn't ever become completely dry.

Loss of Leaf Color

Choose a place with bright, indirect light. Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plants are likely not receiving enough sun. If your plant is in a north-facing window, try switching it to the east side of your house. A sunny bathroom window is usually a great place to bring unhappy plants back to their lush state. While this plant can survive with less light, its colors and variegation will fade, and it may grow pale as leaves droop. 

Potting and Repotting Tradescantia Nanouk

Since this species is so vigorous, it’s a good idea to repot your plant once a year or so. Use a container one size larger than the previous pot, and fill it with fresh potting soil. Pinching new growth or cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier. Since this plant hates having soggy roots, make sure you choose a new container with holes for drainage.

Are Tradescantia Nanouk Easy to Care For?

Yes, Tradescantia Nanouk is an easy-growing plant, however, you'll need to watch out for root rot (avoid getting the area between the leaves wet) and loss of leaf color (choose a growing spot with bright, indirect light).

How Fast Does Tradescantia Nanouk Grow?

With the right growing conditions, Tradescantia Nanouk is very fast-growing and vigorous. You'll want to repot once a year on average.

Can Tradescantia Nanouk Grow Indoors?

Yes. A humid environment is ideal so Tradescantia Nanouk thrives near bathroom windows or near a humidifier.

Tradescantia 'Nanouk' United States Plant Patent Application Publication . United States Patent and Trademark Office. October 4, 2018

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Wandering Jew Plant (Tradescantia zebrina): Types, How to Grow and Care

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Plants with trailing and creeping habits are some of the best plants to keep. They are fast-growing and make thick carpet of groundcovers for gardens in no time and they also create striking hanging indoor plants. 

Among the all-time best trailers to grow is the wandering jew. Easy to maintain and drapes beautifully, this colored plant will make any space more inviting and interesting.

Medicinal Properties

Propagation and maintenance, what is a wandering jew plant.

Tradescantia is one of the 37 genera under the plant family Commelinaceae (1). Some of its 75 species are commonly called ‘wandering jew’ (also known as inch plant), a name they adapted due to their long lifespan like the Jewish character from a Christian folklore.

Another name for this group of herbaceous perennial plants is ‘spiderwort’ after the spiderweb-like sap they produce when the stem breaks. They are native to Canada, Mexico, and Argentina and have been naturalized in other parts of the world (2).

The most common tradescantia grown ornamentally is the T. zebrina also previously called Zebrina pendula . It has long fleshy stems where the wandering jew plant leaves and roots appear. The lance-like leaves are a mixture of green and purple with silver stripes on the upper side and deep purple under (3). The plant grows close to the ground and can only reach 20 to 30 cm high.

Does Tradescantia Zebrina Flower?

The wandering jew is considered an ornamental plant primarily because of its showy colorful foliage but the plant does produce pink flowers.

Small three-petaled pinkish purple flowers appear sporadically throughout the year (4). The resulting fruit is a capsule containing tiny brown seeds.

Is it Toxic to Pets?

Spiderworts are normally harmless plants but they contain toxic properties that may cause mild gastric problems and dermatitis to pets. Although they don’t lead to anything serious, it will be safe to keep the plants out of reach of pets and to keep the hands protected when dealing with the sap of the plant.

Because of the plant’s hardiness and adaptability to different environments, the wandering jew establishes well, in fact so well that it can be considered an invasive species. In countries like Australia, the plant has the capacity to invade natural vegetation. Although growing them is not prohibited, everyone is obliged to keep the plant’s growth under control (5).

Studies showed that Tradescantia has significant effects as an anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial medicinal plant. In traditional Chinese medicine, the wandering jew plant is highly valued as treatment for kidney failure.

The extract from the whole plant is cooked with dates, ginger, and water and consumed by patients. The plant is also known to treat high blood pressure, cough, urinary tract infection and tuberculosis (1).

How to Grow and Care for a Tradescantia

Here’s how to care for a wandering jew plant, one of the easy house plants to own.

Light and Water

In the wild, the wandering jew plant thrives without assistance but under the right conditions. It likes filtered sun so indoor fluorescent light is enough. Placing them by the window and turning the plant every two weeks will keep the leaves colorful and the growth even on all sides (3).

The plant spreads easily in damp areas that’s why it naturally grows along riverbanks and roadsides. When potted, the soil should be kept moist but well-drained. Saturated soil often causes root rot.

Fertilize your Tradescantia plant once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Avoid fertilizing in fall and winter when the plant is dormant. Over-fertilizing can lead to fertilizer burn and damage the plant, so follow the instructions on the fertilizer package carefully.

Temperature and Humidity

Spiderworts like it warm but there should be enough air circulation or else the leaves will sag. During the heat of the summer, taking the plant outside under shade will provide the necessary cool to the plant.

Mist the hanging plant early in the morning and late in the afternoon. If the plant is on a table, place a glass of water beneath the leaves or put the pot on a wet pebble tray. This will humidify the immediate vicinity of the plant aiding in its photosynthesis and transpiration processes.

Pests and Diseases

The most common living enemies of the wandering jew are aphids, mealybugs, scale, white flies, and spider mites. Manual removal at the onset of infestation is effective but they should be closely monitored as serious attack may lead to the plant’s death. If left unnoticed and the infestation has become severe, get rid of the plant by burning to avoid contamination.

Since the creeping inch plant is mainly soft almost like a succulent, soggy soil and too wet conditions lead to root and stem rot (4). As long as the plant is receiving just enough moisture, this disease will be avoided.

Propagating wandering jew plants is very easy. They can grow from seeds but will take years to establish so the more convenient stem cutting is best. The trailing or creeping stems form nodules where the roots will eventually grow as it comes in contact with the potting soil (2). When the hanging plant has longer trails than intended, it can be trimmed and the resulting stem cuttings can be rooted to form new plants.

There will be times that the potted wandering jew will become leggy, especially if it’s been receiving more shade. To promote a bushier growth pinch back by literally pinching the tip of the plant where the new growth occurs (4). This practice allows the formation of lateral stems.

In two or three years, these hardy plants may become pot bound, with the roots taking up most of the space in the pot. Repot in a larger container with a good mixture of soil, coarse sand, and compost to replenish the nutrients and provide room for the roots to breathe. Additionally, fertilize once every two months by foliar application just to improve plant vigor.

Common Varieties of Wandering Jew

The oldest and most common indoor wandering jew, this species has leaves alternating, often overlapping when young, purple leaves with silvery green thick stripes and solid purple underside. The stem is also a mixture of purple and green.

T. blossfeldiana

The leaves of this species are quite thicker, glossy, and covered in miniscule hairs called trichomes. The three-petalled flower is an ombre of white and pinkish purple with yellow anthers.

T. fluminensis ‘Tricolor’

This attractive variety showcases leaves with white, lilac, and green variegation. It appears smaller than the common wandering jew but bushier in form.

T. sillamontana

This whimsical species looks frosted with its silvery trichomes covering the entire plant. The green leaves are still alternately arranged but more compact which make a potted plant look more bushy than trailing. The light color of the leaves provide a complementing backdrop to the bright purple flowers.

The leaves and stems of this species are in striking deep purple color hence the common name ‘ purple heart ’. Under shaded, they turn a hint of dull green. The leaves are also longer and have wider space in between.

Does Wandering Jew plant need full sun?

Wandering Jew plants (Tradescantia zebrina) prefer bright indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun, especially in the morning or late afternoon. However, prolonged exposure to intense sunlight may cause their dark green leaves to scorch.

How do you care for a wandering Jew plant indoors?

To care for a Wandering Jew plant indoors, place it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight, such as near a window. Water it when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically every 1-2 weeks, and provide well-draining soil. Additionally, mist the plant occasionally to increase humidity and remove dust from the leaves.

How do I make my Wandering Jew fuller?

To make your Wandering Jew plant fuller, prune it regularly to encourage branching and bushier growth. Pinch off the tips of the stems or trim back leggy growth to promote new growth and create a more compact appearance. You can also propagate wandering jew cuttings to create new plants and fill out the pot.

How long do Wandering Jew plants live?

Wandering Jew plants are generally long-lived when provided with proper care. With the right growing conditions indoors, they can thrive for several years, often becoming fuller and more lush over time with regular pruning and maintenance.

Reference List

(1) Dash, G., et. al. Tradescantia zebrina: A Promising Medicinal Plant. 2017. IAJPS, 4 (10). P. 3498-3502 .

(2) Arakelyan, H. Tradescantia zebrina- Mother Nature Healing. 2019. Researchgate.

(3) Vermeulen, N. Encyclopedia of House Plants. Taylor and Francis. 1999. P. 320.

(4) North Carolina State Extension. Tradescantia zebrina. NC State University. 2018. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/tradescantia-zebrina/ . Accessed on 12 August 2020.

(5) The State of Queensland. IPA-Zebrina. Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. 2020. https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/51284/IPA-Zebrina-PP102.pdf . Accesed on 12 August 2020.

Photo by Wirestock/depositphotos

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Note- stem cuttings will be provided for this plant

Wandering Jew is a very beautiful houseplant that is easy to care for and propagate. Named after its tendency to grow rapidly, these plants can grow over meters if left unchecked. Wandering Jew can be used as a hanging plant as well as groundcover. They are also known as silver inch plant.Tradescantia has attractive zebra patterned leaves that are shaded purple and add instant color to your garden. The leaves are bluish green and have two long stripes that are silvery on the surface and purple on the underside. The leaf sheaths are thin, translucent, glabrous and slightly hairy. The plants are low lying, slightly succulent and forms dense mats or colonies. The flowers are small with three pink petals. The plant can grow 30-60 cm tall and can spread indefinitely.

So far three varieties of this plant are known. Wandering Jew is native to Mexico, central America and Colombia, but can also be found in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia and various oceanic islands.Wandering Jew grows well in bright indirect sunlight. They prefer bright indoors as well as shaded outdoors. Keep them out of direct sunlight and dark areas otherwise they become leggy. They need a lot of light to maintain their bright color but direct sunlight can burn their leaves. It is best to keep them at an east or west facing window indoors. Wandering jew grows best when kept at temperature between 50-80-degree Fahrenheit.

Standard houseplant potting mix can be used for growing wandering Jew, but they grow best if the soil is rich in organic matter and slightly moist. Peat moss or coco coir helps to retain moisture. Wandering Jew like to be watered regularly and can tolerate overwatering once in a while, but never let the soil to stay wet for too long. Let the soil remain a bit dry between watering. Excess water should be run out of the pot.

They don’t really need to be fertilized, however feeding it once in a while with liquid fertilizer mixed at half strength will benefit the plant. Do not add fertilizer during winter when the growth is slow. A good organic general-purpose fertilizer would work great. Wandering Jews will fill a container fairly quickly and hence should be repotted annually. Take cuttings from the tip and propagate when the plants start to overgrow.

Wandering Jew can be propagated easily from stem cuttings. Take stem cuttings from the tip and remove the lowest leaves. These can either be propagated in water or in moist well-draining soil.

The stout but elegant leaves makes wandering Jew a perfect plant for both balconies and hanging baskets. These little friends are excellent choice for new plant parents to get their feet wet with.

What makes it special:

• Low maintenance and grow quickly

• Super easy to propagate

• Beginner friendly

• Excellent for shaded patios and balconies

Plant specifications:

Plant height 6 – 9 inch(15 – 22 cm)

Plant spread 12 – 24 inch(30 – 60 cm)

Common name Wandering jew, silver inch, wandering dude

Maximum reachable height Up to 22 centimeters

Flower color Light purple, pink

Bloom time All around the year

Difficulty level Easy

Planting and Care:

• Bright indirect sunlight.

• Partial shade.

• Moist and well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

• Water the plants only when the soil feels dry.

• Water every 2 weeks.

• Water around the plants and never straight into the crown.

• Do not overwater the plant.

Application of fertilizer

• Fertilize using an all-purpose liquid fertilizer that is reduced to half strength.

• Fertilize the plants only during the heaviest growing season, that is during spring to early fall.

• Fertilize atleast twice a month.

Plant protection

• Remove any dead or damaged fronds.

• In case of pests, dilute some neem oil and lightly mist the fronds.

• Slugs should be picked off and disposed.

• Keep them away from direct sunlight.

• Keep soil moist, but not soaked.

• Do not over water the plants.

• Do not overfeed.

Initial care for 1-2 weeks after receiving plant at your location:

• Keep the plant in natural sunlight, under shade.

• Poke the top soil using finger to check dampness.

• Add 1 cup of water when the top soil becomes dry.

• Do not repot for atleast a week after receiving the order.

Key requirements to keep the plant healthy:

Bright indirect sunlight.

Water the plants only when the top inch of soil dries out.

Temperature

50 – 80 degree celsius.

Moist soil rich in organic matter.

Wandering jew special feature:

Ø Groundcover succulent.

Ø Beginner friendly.

Ø Low-maintenance.

Ø Easy to propagate.

Ø Purify air.

Ø Can be kept both indoors and outdoors.

Ornamental use:

Excellent indoor plant for balconies.

Offer a delightful pop of color at home an gardens.

Medicinal uses:

They contains many antioxidants, which help the body fight inflammation and free radicals.

These plants have been used in herbal tea mix to treat common cold.

Contain antibacterial properties.

Has antiarrhythmic properties.

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How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

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If you’re familiar with the Nanouk plant, then you’d have discovered that it’s an easy-to-grow flowering succulent and a favorite of most plant lovers.

This plant is one of the easiest-to-care-for houseplants with minimal maintenance requirements. It has beautiful blue, pink-purple, or white flowers that grow from the pink buds and slightly fuzzy bright green, pink or purple foliage.

The Tradescantia Nanouk is a new cultivar developed in the Netherlands through a planned breeding program conducted in Sappemeer back in 2012.

The objective of this program was to create more compact Tradescantia plants with better performance and beautiful flower coloration.

And the objective was met!

So, if you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance trailing plant for hanging baskets , both indoors and outdoors, the Tradescantia Nanouk is the way to go!  

If you want to know more about the pink Nanouk plant i.e. identification, propagation, care, and more. This article is meant for you! Read through and get to know your Tradescantia Nanouk plant well.

Let’s get started:

What’s Nanouk Plant

How to identify nanouk plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk is an herbaceous perennial cultivar in the Commelinaceae family. It’s mostly grown for its amazingly beautiful pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage.

The stems of a Nanouk plant are thick and chunky to provide sturdy support to the rounded, fuzzy thick leaves.

It produces small, beautiful pink buds and white and yellow flowers in spring and summer. Tradescantia Nanouk branches grow upright but, with excellent growing conditions and some patience, this plant can trail.

Due to its beautiful and bright foliage, the Fantasy Venice enlivens spaces, especially when used in hanging baskets and as a ground cover.

That’s why it’s widely used as an indoor houseplant and also as a garden plant by a majority of plant lovers.

Noteworthy Characteristics (Plant Profile Summary)

Common name(s): Fantasy Venice, Tradescantia Nanouk, Nanouk Wandering Jew Plant or, Spiderwort 'Nanouk'.

Scientific/Botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ .

USDA Hardiness zones: 10 through 12 for outdoor growing.

Mature Height: Up to 0.5 feet tall.

Mature Spread: Up to 2 feet wide.

Growing habit: Compact and Upright to trailing plant habit.

Native Area: Mexico, South and Central America with cultivars developed in the Netherlands.

Blooming Time: Blooms throughout the plant’s growing season.

Invasive: Considered invasive in the State of Florida.

Toxicity: Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.

Is Nanouk Plant Toxic?

Yes, just like all other Tradescantia varieties, the Tradescantia Nanouk plant is considered poisonous to both humans and pets.

The sap from this plant causes gastric distress if ingested and can be irritating to the skin.

Hence, keep your pets away and wash up immediately after handling your plant and/or use gloves.

Nanouk Plant Vs Wandering Jew

Nanouk plant and wandering Jew plant both belong to the same genus ‘Tradescantia’ and in general, require almost similar growing and care requirements. 

They also have the same uses in the general landscape, container planting, interiorscape, indoor Plant and, hanging baskets.

However, if we look at their morphology, it’s possible to see a few distinctions between the two that will help you differentiate between them.

For instance; Tradescantia Nanouk plant has pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage while Tradescantia Zebrina ‘green wandering Jew plant’ has variegated olive and silver foliage with purple undersides with purple on both sides for the ‘purple wandering Jew plant’

Apart from this, a Tradescantia Nanouk produces pink buds and white/yellow flowers while Tradescantia Wandering Jew produces white to lavender inconspicuous boat-shaped flowers.

Nanouk Plant Propagation

There are 2 methods of propagating a Nanouk plant. These include; plant division and stem cuttings.

In the stem cuttings method, you can root the cuttings either in water or, in soil. Let’s look at each method at a time.

Method 1: Nanouk plant propagation through division step by step

Step 1: Identify a mature, healthy plant free of pests and diseases. Then remove your plant from the pot carefully and remove all the soil from around the roots gently to avoid root damage.

Step 2: With a lot of care, separate each root ball and stem from one another. Sometimes, the roots of your Nanouk plant can be too intertwined to separate with bare hands without damaging them. If this is the case, use a pair of scissors to cut them apart (the scissors must be sterilized to avoid infections).

Step 3: Plant the individual baby plants in a well-draining potting mix in their containers. Ensure that the potting mix/soil remains moist but never soggy.

Step 4: Since after division the baby plants have some roots attached, it will take them a few more weeks for the roots to be fully established. Occasionally, pull your plants gently from the potting mix and feel if there’s some resistance or the plant just pulls off easily. Some resistance indicates that the roots are establishing and healthy.

Method 2: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in water step by step

Step 1: Identify a healthy Nanouk plant from which you’ll take the cuttings.

Step 2: Using a sterilized pair of scissors take the stem cuttings from the mother plant. Each of the stem cuttings you make must have at least a node (spots where the leaf attaches to the stem and where roots will form) and a leaf.

Step 3: Remove the lower-most leaves (if any) to leave a few inches of a bare stem.

Step 4: Put the cut end of the stem cutting into a jar or container of room-temperature freshwater such that at least a node is below the water surface. Ensure that there aren’t any leaves in the water.

Step 5: Place your container/jar in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Your cuttings need adequate light.

Step 6: Replace the water once every 5 to 7 days or when it gets grubby and top it up as soon as the level gets lower.

Step 7:   It usually takes about a week for the tiny roots to sprout but, wait until the roots are about 2 to 3 inches long before you transfer the cuttings into soil. After you pot up your cutting water it properly and keep the potting mix/soil evenly moist.

Method 3: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in soil step by step

Step 4: Place the cut end of your stem cutting into a container of well-draining moistened potting mix/soil.  Make sure that at least one node is under the surface and that all the leaves are above the surface. Maintain high humidity and keep the growing medium moist but not wet for healthy root development.

Step 5: Move the container with the cutting to a warm space with bright, indirect light.

Step 6: In a few weeks, your cutting will have established its roots and is ready to be treated like a normal plant.

Pro Tip: In all the cutting propagation methods, you can use a rooting hormone like Garden Safe rooting hormone to encourage roots to grow from the cuttings.

How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

Step 1: selecting the appropriate potting soil.

The Nanouk plants are very resilient and easy to grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil.  You just need a regular, well-draining houseplant potting mix/soil to pot your Tradescantia Nanouk and you’re good to go!

It’s always a good idea to add a handful of orchid bark, perlite or, horticultural/coarse sand to the potting mix to improve drainage .

You can also use a succulent-based potting mix to give your Nanouk plant plenty of drainage.

Pro Tip: Avoid dense soil as it holds too much water/moisture which might lead to root rot and plant death.

Step 2: The Best Planting Pots

When it comes to selecting the best planting pot for you Tradescantia Nanouk, keep in mind that this plant hates excessive moisture. It’s also a fast-grower.

Therefore, choose a pot that matches the size of your plant since you can repot whenever the need arises. (a pot that’s ½ inch larger than the plants’ current root ball is ideal).

A very large pot will cause more harm than good as it holds more soil, consequently more water which might lead to root rot. Also, the roots of this plant don’t need too much soil for sustainability.

The right amount of soil/potting mix ensures that the root ball soaks moisture fast and it’s not left to sit in soggy soil.

Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Providing the right temperature for a Nanouk plant is easy as it performs just fine in a normal household temperature.

With daytime temperatures of up to 75 degrees Celsius and night temperatures of roughly mid-50s, you have nothing to worry about. Just avoid keeping the plant a windowsill as it might be exposed to drafts and cold.

Does a Nanouk plant like humidity?

Yes! This plant loves a humid environment of approximately 40-60%. So, place your Nanouk plant in a room or a more humid space. The lower the humidity levels, the drier the air gets and this leads to crispy leaves.

But the good thing is, you can easily create humidity for your plants whenever the levels are low.

For example, mist the plant more often, use a pebble tray filled with water or, place your plant near a humidifier.

I’d recommend the Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Amazon since it has a Quiet Operation, Automatic Shut-Off, Night Light Function and it’s affordable.

Alternatively, place your plant on the bathroom window where it enjoys the steam from your bath without being sprayed by the shower directly.

It’s also an excellent addition to your bathroom plants for a more luxurious look.

Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light

Tradescantia Nanouk plants love bright, indirect light for nice and brightly colored pink and purple leaves.

However, the light shouldn’t necessarily be natural light from the sun as you can still use grow lights to supplement the natural light.

Under low light, the leaves are smaller in size, and the color fades (more green and less variegated). Inadequate light also leads to a leggy plant. Placing your plants near a sunny window works well too in improving light availability.

Caution: Never place your plant in full sun to protect the leaves from scorching.

Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis

When it comes to watering, ‘ WHEN ’ to water is more crucial than ‘ HOW OFTEN’ you water this plant.

‘How often’ suggests a timeline or a schedule to follow. This means that at a specific time or date, you must water your Nanouk plant whether it needs watering or not.

This might lead to overwatering and subsequent root rot which results in a dull and unhealthy plant.

Therefore, check the moisture availability in the topsoil by sticking your index finger into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s the right time to water your Nanouk plant .

Alternatively, use a moisture meter to check if your plant needs watering or not. (That’s if you have one or, purchase a General Tools Digital Moisture Meter from Amazon should you wish to have one)

Usually, watering once a week is enough but there are a few factors that determine how often to water your Nanouk plant.

For instance; if yours is growing outdoors, it’s exposed to more heat and wind than the indoor-grown Nanouk hence, water it more frequently.

Also, when your Nanouk plant is actively growing i.e. in spring and summer, it takes up more water from the soil thus, requires to be watered more frequently than in winter when the plant is dormant.

In addition to this, the pot’s/container’s size also affects how often you water your plants. As such, plants in a small pot usually dry out faster than those in a larger one hence, water more frequently and vice versa.

If you still want to learn more about watering plants and especially succulents, read more on How to Properly Water Your Succulents .

Step 6: Fertilize your Nanouk Plants

Nanouk plants aren’t heavy feeders and usually do well even without feeding.

But, they benefit a lot from a monthly feed with houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength when actively growing (in spring and summer).

However, be careful not to over-fertilize as this might lead to Nanouk leaf tips turning brown.

In addition to this, make sure to dampen the soil before applying fertilizer and follow the fertilizer application rates and schedule as instructed. This helps avoid plant burn from fertilizer.

Once the growing season is over, stop feeding your plants.

Caution: Do not fertilize your plants right after repotting; not until after 6 weeks to reduce the chances of burning the new root growth.

Other Common Problems in Tradescantia Nanouk

A leggy nanouk plant.

If your Nanouk plant shows signs of fewer leaves and long stretched-out branches, it’s a signal that the plant’s leggy.

Legginess in a Tradescantia Nanouk is caused by inadequate light. Like I earlier explained, always grow your Nanouk plant in bright, indirect light (either from sunlight or, grow light).

Even though this plant was bred for compact growth, it’s not always the case as you might find it a little bit leggy especially when it’s not compact enough.

To avoid having a leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plant, pinch off the leggy growth. This allows for new growth hence, a bushier plant.

You can also stick the cuttings you’ve made right back into the pot and allow them to root and Improve compactness.

Brown Leaf Tips in a Tradescantia Nanouk Plant

This is an indication that the humidity levels are lower than what the plant requires. Like I discussed earlier Tradescantia Nanouk is a humid-lover, and providing it with the right humidity levels is the only way to deal with this problem.

Apply the different ways of ensuring a constantly humid environment for your plant explained earlier in this article under ‘ Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Nanouk Plant Leaf Patterns/variegation Fading

This is caused by too much light and if not controlled in time, the leaves will burn or discolor completely.

To manage how much light gets to your plant, move the plant away from direct sun rays and keep it at a spot with minimal sun rays both in the mornings and evenings.

Nanouk Leaves Curling/A dropping Nanouk Plant

The leaves of your Nanouk plant may curl either inwards or outwards due to moisture and light levels and this is usually accompanied by some discoloration. 

Lack of enough moisture or dehydration as a result of too much light or not enough water causes the leaves to curl inwards to preserve the available moisture.

If the leaves are curling outwards, it’s an indication of too much water or not enough light.

The solution to this problem is to balance the light exposure and watering frequency. For clarity, you can refer to the light and watering requirements earlier discussed in this article ‘ Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light and Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis’

Like you have seen growing and caring for a Nanouk plant is easy provided you keep in mind its basic needs.

Whether you are a beginner or you’re used to houseplants, the information you just got will come in handy as you continue growing bountiful numbers of this plant.

And once you experience the striking dash of delight this plant brings to your household, I bet you’ll be addicted to it.

It’s time for you to give it a try.

Wishing you the best of luck with growing and caring for your Tradescantia Nanouk Plant!

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Tradescantia Nanouk

Tradescantia albiflora 'nanouk'.

The Pink Wandering Jew plant is a flowering house plant known for its vibrantly variegated pinkish-purple and lime green foliage. Give it indirect sun and watch its colors come to life in your home.

This product is discontinued and new inventory will not be arriving.

Please contact Customer Service for special order requests.

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Wandering Jew Plant

$13.95 - $36.95

Spider Plant Wandering Jew Combo Pot

$26.95 - $31.95

Pink Tradescantia Nanouk Plants for Sale Online

Tradescantia Nanouk is a house plant that has most likely taken over your social media feeds. It's known for its purple, hot pink, and green striped foliage. This tropical plant prefers breaks between watering which makes it fairly low-maintenance. The Tradescantia Nanouk is native to Mexico, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

This quality house plant thrives very well as an indoor vining plant. Grow this plant in bright, indirect sunlight for optimal vibrant blooms, and place it somewhere that’s not accessible to pets or small children. The Tradescantia Nanouk plant looks great in a hanging basket or stands where it can show off its vining growth habit, and unique foliage.

How to Care for Tradescantia Nanouk

Before you buy a Pink Wandering Jew plant, make sure to read about the care instructions that are required and recommended to keep this plant healthy and thriving!

What is the best light for My Pink Wandering Jew Plant?

Pink Wandering Jew Plants need bright, indirect light. Place your plant in a north or east-facing window to help enhance its vibrant foliage. However, too much direct sunlight will cause the purple and pink colors of the foliage to fade. Outside, Wandering Jew Plants don't handle full sun very well. This plant prefers shade or part sun to maintain its variegated foliage. Too much light will burn the leaves.

How do I fertilize Pink Wandering Jew Plants?

When fertilizing your Pink Wandering Jew plant, any all-purpose foliage fertilizer works great. If you're looking for a powder, quick release fertilizer check out Jack's Classic Indoor plant food. You simply mix it with water to provide quick nutrients to your plant. Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor is a granular option that is a slow release fertilizer that should be applied when potting or planting.

How do I water My Tradescantia Nanouk?

It is okay to allow your house plant to dry out on occasion. They don't do best when sitting in water for too long. If they are watered too often they will usually get crown rot, meaning the plant will die from the roots upward. We recommend watering your Pink Wandering Jew plant weekly during the summer, and less frequently in the cooler winter months.

What is the best soil for pink Wandering Jew Plants?

Wandering Jew Plants require a very well-draining soil. They also prefer their soil to be slightly dryer in between watering. Regular potting mix with sand works well for plants potted in containers. Also make sure your plant is potted in a a pot with drainage holes. This will help any excess water to drain out instead of sit at the bottom of your pot. If planting outside, try to avoid any areas where your soil will get too moist.

Frequently Asked questions

How do you propagate wandering jew plants.

It is extremely simple to propagate your Pink Wandering Jew plant. First, cut a stem about 4 to 6 inches long that already has several leaves on it. Ideally, this should be one of the healthiest and strongest stems. Next remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem, and place it in a jar of water. Make sure that there are no leaves under the surface of the water, or they could rot. We recommend you change the water every couple of days to keep it clean. After a few weeks, the cutting should begin to root. You will begin to see little white roots branching off the green stem you placed in the water. Allow it to develop a couple of weeks longer before transferring to potting soil. After potting, give it a good, deep watering.

Is Wandering Jew Toxic to Cats?

The Pink Wandering Jew plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Contact with this plant can result in dermatitis, or skin irritation. The sap within its stems will bother your pet's digestive tract if ingested. It is important to take all preventative precautions, or choose one of the many non-toxic plants we have available. Read our blog to find a list of pet-friendly houseplants!

How to Prune Wandering Jew Plants?

In reference to its name, Pink Wandering Jew plants grow long tendrils that can spread, or hang, depending on where the plant is placed. Try placing your plant in a hanging pot, its vines will hang beautifully as your plant grows. If you would rather keep the plant compact, you can trim off new growth and long stems. This can be done at any point in the year. In addition, it is important to remove dead or dying stems to maintain the plant's health and vigor.

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Tradescantia Nanouk Care: Growing The Nanouk Wandering Jew

Tradescantia Nanouk® (trad-es-KAN-tee-uh NAN-uhk) is also known as Fantasy Venice and Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ (al-BIH-flor-uh). 

This Nanouk Tradescantia plant is a new cultivar developed by cross-pollinating two selected seedlings of  Tradescantia albiflora . It is a patented plant with the United States Patent number PP29711.

“Nanouk” has a few other common names, such as Nanouk tradescantia, Fantasy Venice, Wandering Jew, Spiderwort, and Tradescantia bubblegum.

This trendy plant was developed in the Netherlands in 2012 through a planned breeding program focused on creating a more compact type of Tradescantia with impressive flowers and highly dependable performance.

Although Tradescantia plants originated in Mexico, South America, and Central America, it can truly be said that this plant originated in Sappemeer, The Netherlands.

All  Tradescantia plants  are herbaceous perennials and are members of the plant family Commelinaceae (ko-mel-ih-NAY-see-eye).

“Summary of Invention” For Tradescantia Nanouk® as filed with the US Patent Office on March 28, 2017

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Nanouk.’ These characteristics, in combination, distinguish ‘Nanouk’ as a new and distinct Tradescantia plant:

• Compact and upright to broadly spreading plant habit.
• Strong and healthy leaves.
• Light purple, green, and greyed green-colored leaves.
• Good interiorscape performance.

Plants of the new Tradescantia and the parent selections differ primarily in leaf color, as plants of the parent selections have white and green-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Tradescantia can be compared to plants of the Tradescantia spathacea ‘Tricolor,’ not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Tradescantia and ‘Tricolor’ differ primarily in leaf shape as plants of new Tradescantia have shorter and more rounded leaves than plants of ‘Tricolor.’

Plants of the new Tradescantia can also be compared to plants of the Tradescantia albiflora ‘Albovittata,’ not patented. 

Nanouk Plant Quick Care Tips

• Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum
• Common Name(s): Nanouk Plant, Arrowhead Plant
• Synonyms: N/A
• Family & Origin: Araceae family, native to Mexico, tropical rainforests of Central and South America
• Growability: Easy to grow
• Grow Zone: USDA zones 10-12
• Size: Grows up to 2-3′ feet tall and wide
• Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity, mist regularly
• Temperature: Keep in temperatures between 55-75°F
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, do not overwater
• Fertilizer: Fertilize once a month during growing season with a balanced fertilizer
• Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Can also be affected by root rot if overwatered.
• Propagation: Propagated through stem cuttings in water or soil
• Plant Uses: Great for adding greenery to indoor spaces, can also be used in terrariums or as a hanging plant.

In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Tradescantia and ‘Albovittata’ differ primarily in leaf color, as plants of ‘Albovittata’ have white and green-colored leaves.  [ source ]

Grooming and Maintenance

Taking stem cuttings – propagating tradescantia, is nanouk considered invasive, tradescantia nanouk care, size and growth.

Nanouk Tradescantia has a very compact and upright growth habit and spreads freely. It is considered a fast grower. The plant typically reaches a height and width of just under three-and-a-half inches.

The plants’ stems are thick, and the leaves are smooth on the top and a bit furry on the underside. Green, pink, and white stripes on large, lush leaves with cute little white and yellow flowers that grow from pink buds.  

The variegated leaves of Tradescantia Nanouk are impressively healthy, strong, and rather plump. Leaf coloration is quite lovely in shades of green, light purple, grayish green, pink, and cream.

Flowering and Fragrance

Flowers may be either pink or white and appear continuously throughout the plant’s growing season, which is spring through early autumn. 

When kept indoors, Tradescantia Nanouk may also bloom through the winter months.

Nanouk Plant Care: Light & Temperature

Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ does well in bright indirect sunlight or in full sun. Indirect bright light leads to greater flower production. Too little light will cause the foliage to fade.

Some direct sun is beneficial, but make sure not to overdo it since the leaves can get bleached or sunburned from too much direct sunlight.

If you want to increase the humidity, we suggest you mist it often, place it near a humidifier, or use a pebble tray.

The ideal daytime temperature for the Nanouk Tradescantia cultivar is between 55° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoors, this Tradescantia is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Watering and Feeding

Overwatering is far more problematic than underwatering. Allow the soil to become almost dry, and then water thoroughly.

Generally speaking, Tradescantia Nanouk will do well with weekly watering. Never allow the plant to stand in water.

Tradescantia nanouk requires a moderate amount of water when planted in potting mix with good drainage. Allow the water to drain freely out a drainage hole, and then return the plant to its home! 

As with most Tradescantia, this cultivar does not really need fertilizer. Over-feeding can lead to brown leaf tips. 

If you do want to fertilize your plant, give it a half-strength solution of a good quality liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Alternately, give the plant a top dressing of vermicompost first thing in the spring.

Soil and Transplanting

Good drainage is a must. If your soil tends to be a bit heavy, add some perlite or coarse sand to lighten it up.

When potting your Tradescantia Nanouk, it’s important to use a standard well-draining houseplant soil mixed with coarse sand, orchid bark, or perlite. 

Nanouk Tradescantia does well in any high-quality potting soil mix or container mix when kept as a potted plant. 

You can improve the quality of the soil by adding organic matter such as compost, mulch, or peat moss.

Don’t worry if you have to do a bit of root ripping. Then plant each in separate small pots using well-draining soil. 

You can also check if the roots are poking out of the bottom of the container. This is a sign that you should repot your plant. 

Repotting is crucial for plant health because the old, oxygen-deprived, compacted soil is removed in this process.  

When kept outdoors as a landscape plant, all of these caveats apply. Be sure that your soil is amended properly so that it supplies nourishment, holds the right amount of moisture, and allows excess moisture to drain away.

Even though Tradescantia Nanouk is bred to be compact, it still has some of its cousins’ sprawling and wandering habits. Keep the plant pinched back to encourage bushier growth.

Light pruning of dead and damaged foliage is recommended, and though fertilizing is not necessary, if you’d like to give your plants a boost, then it’s best to fertilize them in spring and summer.

Pinching new growth or cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier.  The leaves will also be a bit smaller, with much more green and less variegation.  

If your plant begins to sprawl and looks a little bit thin at the top, trim off leggy cuttings and poke them into the soil in the center of the pot. They will quickly take root and fill out your plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk Propagation

As with all Tradescantia, propagation is a breeze. Just trim off cuttings and start them in soil or in water.

Tradescantia Nanouk Pests or Diseases

Excessive watering is the main problem for all Tradescantia. Too much water can cause root rot and fungal infections. This may lead to trouble with fungus gnats.

Anytime your Tradescantia Nanouk plant seems to be less than healthy and happy, the first thing you should do is check to see if the soil is soggy. If it is, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.

Trim away any stems and/or leaves that seem to be damaged or rotten. You may also wish to take healthy cuttings at this time just in case root rot causes the demise of your main plant.

On the flip side, if you allow your Tradescantia Nanouk plant becomes too dry, you may experience trouble with spider mites. 

These can be avoided by maintaining a correct watering schedule and by increasing humidity levels around your plants.

You can do this by misting and/or placing your plants on a pebble tray with a bit of water. Be sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot. It is intended to evaporate around the plants and increase humidity.

Spider mite infestation  can be addressed by giving your plant a vigorous shower with fresh water. 

Follow up by misting the plant with a 50-50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. You may need to repeat the misting several times to kill off all the spider mites and their eggs.

Is Nanouk Considered Toxic or Poisonous to People, Kids, and Pets?

The sap of all Tradescantia can be irritating to the skin and may cause gastric distress if ingested. Wear gloves when handling your plant and/or wash up immediately after you finish trimming.

​Related:  Have you ever wondered:  Is Wandering Jew Poisonous?

Keep pets away from Tradescantia plants, as the sap can cause stomach upset if ingested and may cause dermatitis if it comes in contact with the animal’s skin.

Tradescantia of all sorts are considered invasive plants in the state of Florida. This type of plant naturalizes and spreads easily in any tropical environment.

Suggested Tradescantia Nanouk Uses

Tradescantia Nanouk can be used as a groundcover in tropical areas, but it was really developed to be kept as a houseplant. 

It’s pretty colors and hardy leaves make it a good choice as a tabletop or desktop plant.

Another popular variation is the inch plant (T. cerinthoides), earning its name for its tendency to ‘‘inch along’’ as it grows along the ground or trails downward from a hanging planter. 

It can do well in hanging baskets as it creates a fuller and more controlled appearance than other types of Tradescantia.

This pretty, colorful plant also does very well in mixed planters. The Tradescantia Nanouk plant is a perfect addition to any houseplant collection.

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