Variegated Wandering Jew

This plant does not like its roots to sit in damp soil, so it is important to allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Moreover, to prevent root rot, water the top layer of soil and keep the foliage dry. You may want to use a water meter to check for periods of drought.

Variegated Wandering Jew enjoys bright indirect light to light shade. Direct sun will burn the foliage, while too little light will cause the color to wash out. To ensure good colors, they must receive at least 3-4 hours of bright indirect light daily.

The preferred temperature range for Variegated Wandering Jew is 55-80°F (13-26°C). Anything lower than 55°F (13°C) would not be ideal for the plant.

Variegated Wandering Jew can tolerate a range of humidities. While it may do well in average to slightly dry humidity, damp environments can trigger root rot or fungus gnats. To create a beneficial humidity level for this plant, misting the leaves on a regular basis is recommended.

Variegated Wandering Jew needs well-draining soil to prevent root rot. A suitable soil mix for this plant could be one part potting soil, one part sand, and one part peat moss or perlite. Additionally, adding compost or worm castings to the mix can provide the plant with essential nutrients.

Fertilization is necessary to keep your Variegated Wandering Jew healthy. Fertilize it every two weeks during the growing season, from spring to summer. The best fertilizer to use is one that is balanced, such as a 20-20-20 or 10-10-10. Do not over-fertilize, as this can damage the roots and leaves of the plant.

Variegated Wandering Jew is susceptible to pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids. To prevent pest infestations, it is important to keep the plant in a clean and sterile environment. If pests have already taken over the plant, using insecticidal soap or neem oil is recommended. Additionally, introducing beneficial predatory insects and fungi to the soil can help get rid of pests.

Repotting should be done every one to two years in spring or summer, when the plant has outgrown its container. Wait until the top inch of soil is dry before repotting. Be careful not to damage the roots when taking out from the pot, and use a slightly bigger container when repotting. Add fresh, well-draining soil and backfill the soil around the roots.

To keep the Variegated Wandering Jew healthy and happy, occasional pruning of stems is required. This should be done during the active growth periods in spring and summer. Prune off dead and damaged stems using sharp and sterilized scissors, and pinch off the tips to encourage branch growth.

Mulching with organic material such as peat moss, compost, or bark chips will help your plant retain moisture and stay healthy. Mulching also helps suppress weed growth.

Variegated Wandering Jew can be easily propagated either with stem cuttings or leaf cuttings. For stem cuttings, it is best to take small stem pieces with a decent amount of leaf nodes or that is large enough to have roots. Dip the base of the cuttings into a rooting hormone, and place them in a container filled with moist, well-draining potting mix. Cover the container with a plastic bag to maintain humidity until roots form, and keep the planting medium moist. When propagating with leaf cuttings, take a few larger leaves with some stem attached. Trim the stem to 2-3 inches and dip them in rooting hormone as well. Place the leaves on the surface of moist well-draining soil, leaving the base exposed so the leaf does not rot.

This plant needs some kind of support, such as a trellis or stakes, to be able climb and twirl around. Pinch off offshoots and twirl them loosely around the support to keep them in place.

Variegated Wandering Jew has an active growth period from spring to summer. Fertilize the plant every two weeks, but stop fertilizer applications during its rest period in winter. Cut back watering in the winter as well, since the plant will require much less water during this period.

Variegated Wandering Jew is toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested, so it is important to keep your pets away from the plant.