How do I propagate wandering jew?

Take a 4–6 inch stem cutting below a leaf node, remove the lowest leaves, and place it in water or moist potting mix. It typically roots within 1–2 weeks and is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate this way.

My plant looks leggy and bare at the base — can I fix it?

Rather than trying to restore old bare stems, cut them back hard and propagate a few fresh cuttings to repot alongside the original — it's faster and more reliable than waiting for old growth to fill back in.

Plant care guide

Wandering Jew Growing Guide

Tradescantia zebrina

Wandering jew is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate — a single cutting in water will root in days, which is exactly how most collections started.

Light

Bright, indirect light; some direct sun boosts leaf colour

Soil

Well-drained standard potting mix

Water

Let the top inch dry between waterings

Hardiness

Houseplant in Canada; Zone 9–11 outdoors

Mature size

6–12 in tall, trailing 2+ ft

Growth habit

Fast-growing trailing vine

Tradescantia zebrina — commonly called wandering jew or inch plant — is a fast, forgiving trailing houseplant known for its striped purple-and-silver leaves. It's also one of the easiest plants to propagate, which is why a single small cutting so often turns into a full hanging basket within a season.

Light & placement

Bright, indirect light keeps the leaf striping vivid; too little light causes fading and legginess
Some direct morning sun is tolerated and often intensifies the purple colouring
Avoid intense afternoon summer sun through unfiltered glass, which can scorch leaves
A hanging basket or high shelf suits its natural trailing habit well

Watering

Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings
Wandering jew tolerates missed waterings better than consistently soggy soil
Reduce watering frequency in winter when growth slows
Yellow, mushy stems are a sign of overwatering — let the soil dry out more between waterings

Pruning & keeping it full

Pinch growing tips regularly to encourage bushier, fuller growth rather than long bare vines
Trim back leggy stems by half whenever growth looks sparse — it regrows quickly
Old plants that have gotten thin at the base benefit from a hard cutback in spring to encourage fresh growth

Propagation from cuttings

Snip a 4–6 inch stem cutting just below a leaf node
Remove the lowest leaves and place the cutting in water or directly into moist potting mix
Roots typically form within 1–2 weeks in water
Once rooted, pot up several cuttings together in one pot for an instantly fuller-looking plant
This is the easiest and fastest way to refresh a leggy plant — simply propagate new cuttings rather than trying to fix old growth

Common problems

Faded leaf colour, mostly green instead of purple/silver: usually not enough light — move to a brighter spot
Leggy, sparse stems: needs more frequent pinching, or is due for a hard cutback and fresh propagation
Yellow, mushy lower stems: overwatering — let soil dry more and check the pot drains well
Brown, crispy leaf edges: often low humidity or inconsistent watering

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Frequently asked questions

Faded, mostly-green leaves almost always mean the plant isn't getting enough light. Move it to a brighter spot with more indirect (or some direct) light to restore the colour on new growth.