Tradescantia fluminensis aka Wandering Jew
Taxonomy
Tradescantia fluminensis, also known as small-leaf spiderwort, river spiderwort, inch plant, speedy Henry, wandering willie, and wandering trad, is a species of spiderwort native to South America. This easy-to-care-for houseplant is often kept as an herbaceous perennial hailing from the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Mexico. It is also known as "Wandering Jew" and is a member of the Commelinaceae plant family. It is a fast grower, typically attaining a height of 6" to 9" inches with a spread of 1' or 2' feet. The genus name, Tradescantia, refers to John Tradescant, who was a gardener and botanist during the 17th century, and the specific epithet, tricolor, refers to the plants' coloration. This cultivar of Tradescantia is highly sensitive to frost, so be sure to bring the plant indoors if temperatures dip below freezing. It is also very easy to propagate by stem, with one plant giving rise to dozens of new ones.
Common names
Wandering Jew, Spiderwort, Inch PlantHow to care for Wandering Jew
Difficulty
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Wandering Jew is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
Water
Wandering Jew should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Wandering Jew loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
To ensure optimal growth, the Wandering Jew prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Dormancy
During the cold period, it is common for Wandering Jew to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Humidity
No extra humidity is necessary for the Wandering Jew. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Wandering Jew should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Wandering Jew’s native range is the Americas.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Tradescantia Genus
Tradescantia bracteata Long Bract Spiderwort
Tradescantia gigantea Spiderwort
Tradescantia cerinthoides Flowering Inch Plant
Tradescantia fluminensis Wandering Jew
Tradescantia blossfeldiana (Cerinthoides) Variegata (Smooth Form) 'Lilac'
Tradescantia spathacea Moses In The Cradle
Tradescantia occidentalis Western Spiderwort
Tradescantia zanonia
