Tradescantia Zebrina – The Wandering Jew

Tradescantia zebrina, commonly called the Wandering Jew, is a trailing perennial plant native to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, where it grows in warm, humid environments. It is recognised for its fast-growing stems and distinctive foliage, with leaves that have green and purple upper surfaces marked by two broad silvery stripes, and a solid purple underside. The small, three-petalled flowers are usually pink to violet and appear intermittently throughout the year. Its trailing habit makes it well suited for hanging baskets or as groundcover in frost-free climates.

Care Tips:

• Light – Thrives in bright, indirect light; too little light reduces variegation, while intense direct sun may scorch leaves.
• Water – Keep the soil evenly moist during active growth, reducing watering slightly in cooler months.
• Humidity – Prefers moderate to high humidity but adapts to average indoor conditions.
• Media – Use a well-draining potting mix enriched with organic matter.
• Temperature – Grows best between 15–26 °C; protect from frost.
• Fertiliser – Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser every 2–4 weeks during the growing season.
• Repotting – Repot annually or as needed to refresh soil and encourage healthy growth.

Additional Notes:

• Known to be toxic