Wandering Jew

Wandering Jew plants enjoy regularly watered soil with occasional deeper waterings during hotter, dry days. You should wait for the soil top become dry before watering the soil again and should reduce your frequency of watering during the winter season. Remember that too much water can lead to root rot, so be sure to never overwater.

Wandering Jew plants are incredibly hardy and are tolerant of many different kinds of light conditions. They prefer bright, indirect light to full sun, as full sun is likely to scorch the leaves. If positioned in direct sunlight, it is advised to move the plant to a more soothing environment. However, these plants are perfect for sprucing up areas with minimal light.

The Wandering Jew plant does best in temperatures between 60 and 75°F (15.6 and 24°C). When it gets very cold, the leaves may start to lose pigmentation; this indicates the need to move the plant further away from any drafts. It’s important to avoid temperatures that are above 80°F (26.6°C), as this can cause the leaves to become dry.

Wandering Jews tend to prefer high humidity, so it’s ideal to keep the plant in a moist environment. If you live in drier climates, it is strongly recommended to mist the leaves regularly to keep them hydrated and healthy looking. Avoid placing the plant in areas with steam, as it can cause burn marks to appear on the leaves.

Wandering Jew plants prefer a moist, organic-rich soil to other variants. A soil mix consisting of two parts peat moss and one part perlite works best for this plant. It is also beneficial to add some sand to the soil mix to improve its aeration. This will help with the drainage when you’re giving the plant a thorough watering.

The Wandering Jew is not a heavy feeder and does not need to be fertilized often. Fertilizing with a balanced, all-purpose plant food once every two months during the spring and summer months will ensure the best growth for the plant. It is best to water the soil with liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/4 concentration.

Thrips, spider mites, and mealybugs can very quickly become problematic for Wandering Jews. Fortunately, it is possible to keep these pests away from the plant without pounding it with expensive pesticides. One of the most efficient solutions involves Simply wiping the leaves of your plant with an alcohol-soaked cloth; this will remove the pests and the eggs without any damaging effects. Additionally, you can introduce beneficial insects and use horticultural oils to get rid of the sticky substances left behind by the pests.

It is generally recommended to repot your Wandering Jew plant once every year in the spring or early summer, or when the roots have outgrown the current pot. This will allow for the plant to have new and improved soil with nutrients and enough room to grow. Care should be taken not to over-pot, as this will lead to over-watering and root rot.

Wandering Jews require very little pruning—a few occasional trimmings of dead leaves and flower stems are all that they really need. A more drastic pruning of dead stems and the portions of the stems which have no more leaves is trickier since this can potentially take away from its full shape and size. However, pruning like this can be done to revive the growth of new foliage.

Mulching the soil of your Wandering Jew is an optional step you can take to keep your plant looking brighter and healthier. It is suggested to put a layer of organic compost around the base of the plant after it’s been transferred into a pot. This compost will help prevent weeds and promote good drainage to ensure the plant receives enough moisture.

The simplest way to propagate a Wandering Jew is through stem cuttings. You should take a healthy stem and cut the stem near the nodes with a pair of scissors. Take the cut stem and place it in warm water in a container. Place the container in a warm spot with bright, indirect light and make sure to change out the water every week until new roots form. After the roots have grown, you can continue growing it in its new pot.

Wandering Jews are generally quite content with their own growth and don’t require any extra support. If desired, you can fix the stems in a small stake or with eco-friendly plant meshes, as this will provide the stems extra support when the plants grow too tall.

Despite being a perennial plant, the Wandering Jew requires a small rest period during the later days of winter in February and early March. Just place it in a bright area with slightly cooler temperatures and allow the leaves to shed off. After the season ends, reduce water and light levels to encourage plant dormancy. When dormancy ends, the plant can go back to being healthy and vibrant.

The Wandering Jew is largely not toxic to animals, though it is suggested to keep the plant away from any animals that may try to eat it. This plant is non-toxic to both cats and dogs.