Can Wandering Jew Plant Grow In Water?

I have always been fascinated by the Wandering Jew plant, also known as Tradescantia zebrina. Its striking purple and silver foliage and cascading vines make it a popular choice for indoor and outdoor gardens. However, I have always wondered if this plant could grow in water without soil.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I decided to do some research to find out if growing Wandering Jew in water was possible. I scoured the internet for success stories and failure stories, and I found that many people have had great success with growing this plant in water.

Excited by the possibilities, I decided to try growing a Wandering Jew plant in water myself. After some trial and error, I found that it is indeed possible to grow this plant in water, but it requires some specific care and attention to ensure success.

Through my personal experience and research, I have learned what works and what doesn’t when it comes to growing Wandering Jew in water. I have had my fair share of failures, but I have also had some great successes, and I am excited to share what I have learned with others who are interested in trying this unique method of growing Wandering Jew.

Can Wandering Jew Plant Grow In Water?

Wandering Jew is a term used to identify three different species of plants in the Tradescantia genus. These plants can be grown in water and they make attractive houseplants. As they can survive in a variety of conditions, they are a low-maintenance and fast-growing option for gardeners.

Let’s take a closer look at how to properly care for and cultivate wandering jew plants that are grown in water:

What is Wandering Jew Plant

The Wandering Jew Plant (traditionally known as Tradescantia zebrina) is a type of flowering plant from the family Commelinaceae. This indoor houseplant, also commonly referred to as an inch plant or spiderwort, grows in the warm climates of southern United States before spreading to other areas around the world. The plant’s common name comes from its long stems and tendency to “wander” around gardens and containers.

It can reach up to two feet in length when given enough space, light, and support. This vining perennial flowers with colorful, three petaled blooms that typically range from deep purple at the base to lighter lavender or white toward the tips. Its unique leaves are striped in rich earth tones of dark greens, silvers, and purples—markings that give it additional character and charm.

It is easy to grow indoors since it only needs moderate temperatures and light levels; plus care is fairly minimal once established. Requiring only weekly watering during active growth phases with an occasional fertilizer booster throughout the year for lush results. Surprisingly enough, this attractive little plant can even be grown in water via its stem cutting method!

Growing Requirements

The Wandering Jew plant is an attractive, easy to care for houseplant. This plant can tolerate dry spells and can even grow in water, as long as the water is changed regularly. The Wandering Jew plant is a tropical species, so it needs specific conditions to grow healthily.

To learn more about the growing requirements for Wandering Jew plants, keep reading.

Soil Requirements

The wandering jew plant (Tradescantia fluminensis) is often grown as an aquatic plant, but it can also thrive in moist soil. When growing the wandering jew in soil, the potting medium should consist of loamy soil that is well aerated and slightly acidic (pH 5.0-7.0). The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings; as a general rule, irrigate when the top half inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

In terms of fertilizing, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to 50 percent strength once a month during the growing season (spring through fall).

Light Requirements

Wandering Jew plants are easy to care for and can thrive in a wide range of environments. While they can survive in small amounts of water, they thrive best when the soil is kept evenly moist.

These plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight and good air circulation in humid conditions. A good option is to place them near a lightly-curtained window with southern or western exposure.

These plants will not tolerate full sun, as this can cause their foliage to turn yellow and become overly dry. When taking care of your wandering jew plant outdoors, place it in a shaded area with indirect light and keep it well watered. For best results, water deeply once every 7-10 days during the warmer months but be sure not to over-water otherwise you may experience root rot or other severe problems. Soil should be kept slightly moist at all times but never soggy or wet for extended periods of time.

If you are growing your wandering jew indoors, these plants prefer temperatures between 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit (18-29 Celsius).

Water Requirements

Wandering jew plants are hardy and incredibly easy to take care of, so long as the gardener can provide them with the right type of water and environment. As an aquatic plant, wandering jew prefers wet soil or soil that’s regularly watered. It’s happy in a humid environment – in fact, it will thrive! But don’t worry if you don’t have perfect humidity – these plants are very resilient and will do well under normal conditions too.

When it comes to watering your wandering jew plant, you should water frequently and make sure that the soil remains moist throughout the entire growing season. Depending on your climate, you may need to water more or less often; when in doubt, just check the top few inches of soil with your finger; if the surface feels dry then it is definitely time for more water! If the topsoil still feels damp then wait a little bit before giving it more moisture. Additionally, keeping its location near windows that get plenty of indoor sunlight will help ensure its health.

Growing in Water

In the realm of plants, the wandering jew plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is one that can be grown in both soil and water. It is a popular houseplant, because it does not require complicated care and can tolerate neglect. In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of growing the wandering jew in water.

Benefits of Growing in Water

Growing plants in water has many advantages. This method is simple, affordable, and manageable for both beginners and experienced gardeners alike. Water gardening allows for optimal nutrient uptake because the nutrients are more readily available to the plant roots since they are not screened out by soil particles. The direct access to nutrients helps promote healthy root growth and disease resistance.

Furthermore, this eliminates the worry of over-watering or under-watering your plants by providing an even and consistent supply of water.

Another benefit is that pests are not as likely to be a problem in a water garden as they would be in soil because they have fewer resources to sustain them away from solid soil structures. This means there is less need for chemical or organic pest control products – an especially important consideration when you are growing edible plants. Additionally, it’s easier to monitor your plant’s health since it’s more visible when rooted in water rather than soil.

Finally, aquatic environments can create quite the beautiful display that adds life and creativity to any room! Generally speaking, almost any houseplant can survive temporarily in water but some prefer this environment over soil – such as African violets, begonias, impatiens and Wandering Jew (Tradescantia).

Steps for Growing in Water

Growing a wandering jew plant in water is a simple and effective way to create vibrant foliage of greens and purples in any home or garden. To successfully propagate this type of plant, you will need a shallow container without drainage holes, a sterile rooting hormone, and pure water. Follow the steps below to get started with your new indoor-water garden project.

1. Start by cutting several stems that are at least 3 inches long between two nodes – the bumps on the stem where leaves emerge. Remove the leaves from the bottom few inches of each stem, as they are not necessary for successful planting.
2. Dip the cuttings into a powdered rooting hormone that contains fungicide, or mist each cutting with liquid rooting hormone solution using plastic bag-covered hand and nebulizer nozzle for accurate release of the solution. This will help ensure successful root development later on.
3. Place the cutting into an unglazed clay pot filled with pure filtered water at room temperature; make sure to completely submerge all nodes but no more than 2 centimeters above them as this can invite disease or fungus from excessive contact with air and moisture; place all cuttings somewhere shaded and away from direct sunlight as this can cause over-heating in shallow containers which can kill off your plant before it has had time to take root – literally!
4. Change out the water every other day to prevent bacterial accumulation on the container wall – stagnant water is more likely to invite fungal bacterial diseases! Gently pull back portions of soil if it looks like it is building up around your cuttings – if you decide frequent maintenance isn’t possible, install an air stone inside your container as this will help alleviate particle build-up due to oxygenation; also make sure there are no hindrances such as tight lids that might keep your plants from getting enough fresh air!
5. In about 3 weeks, roots should begin to appear along with new leaves sprouting out of node areas – Congratulations! Now start feeding small doses twice per week – use liquid fertilizer or generally diluted household composting material depending on which type you prefer using here (generally balanced N-P-K fertilizer works best). After 4 – 6 weeks, when roots develop into healthy systems you may transplant them into soil using ordinary potting mix or sphagnum peat moss plus peat moss for optimal pH balance; very gently tap away excess soil without breaking roots off chunk by chunk – same applies when transferring single rooted clump wanderers directly into larger containers pierced thickly with holes below periphery (to allow proper drainage)!

Care and Maintenance

The Wandering Jew plant is relatively easy to maintain. While it’s most commonly grown in well-draining soil, it can also be grown in water. This is a great option for those who are looking for a low-maintenance plant or for those living in areas with poor or limited soil drainage.

Let’s take a look at the best ways to care for and maintain a wandering jew plant grown in water:

Fertilizing

It is important to fertilize your wandering jew plant in order to maintain healthy, lush growth. Fertilizers help plants get the nutrients they need for optimal growth and production. Most fertilizer for houseplants will work for wandering jew plants, but it is important to dilute it before applying it.

For best results, feed your plant with a water-soluble fertilizer every other week during the growing season (spring and summer). Additionally, you can also add slow-release granular fertilizer to the soil once or twice a year. Be sure not to over-fertilize as this can cause toxic levels of salts buildup in the soil.

Pruning

To keep your wandering jew plant looking its best, it is important to prune it regularly. New growth should be trimmed every few weeks, which encourages new stems to develop and helps the overall shape of the plant. Pruning is also important for keeping the plant healthy, as it helps control disease and pest infestations. When trimming your wandering jew plant, use sharp scissors or pruners to ensure a clean cut. Make sure the blades are sterilized first with rubbing alcohol or white vinegar to avoid spreading any unwanted bacteria or fungi.

To keep your wandering jew healthy and vigorous, you can also propagate by stem cutting. This involves taking stem cuttings from an established parent plant and placing them into soil or a jar of water (depending on which method of propagation you’re using). Once rooted in water or soil, new plants can be taken out of propagators or water jars and placed into individual pots or arrangements with other plants. For best results, use distilled water without fertilizer when propagating in water to ensure that all plants have the same starting conditions when rooting.

Pest Control

Pests are an unavoidable part of any garden. For Wandering Jew plants, pests may include whiteflies, mites, thrips and mealybugs. Though Wandering Jew plants are generally tolerant of pesticide products, it is recommended to first try using natural pest controls such as with neem oil or a saltwater solution.

Neem oil is a natural, biodegradable insecticide made from the pressed seeds of the neem tree. When sprayed on the plant’s foliage it is a contact insecticide that kills unwanted bugs while also serving as a fungicide and repellent. Neem oil penetrates deep into the pores of the insects’ body and blocks their hormones which stops them from eating and growing.

The next option for controlling pests on your Wandering Jew plant is using saltwater or Epsom salts. When diluted down to 2 tablespoons of salt per gallon of water spray this solution onto affected leaves as often as once a week until the pests go away. The saltwater acts as an abrasive drying out their protective shell causing them to die off very quickly. It can also serve as an antiseptic that repels new bugs from visiting your plant in the future.

Common Problems

The Wandering Jew plant is known for its versatility and ability to thrive even in extreme conditions. That being said, it’s not indestructible and at times may show signs of distress in both soil or water planted environments. Below are some of the common problems you may encounter while growing this perennial and how to rectify them:

• Aphid infestations – Aphids are small insects that live on a plant’s leaves and suck their sap, weakening it over time. To get rid of an aphid infestation, use a homemade insecticide spray with soap, garlic, or neem oil.
• Leggy stems – This is a common problem in houseplants that aren’t receiving enough light. Move the Wandering Jew to a brighter spot and prune any leggy stems.
• Pale leaves – Pale leaves can indicate either too much sunlight causing the foliage to scorch, or too little sunlight resulting in pale coloration due to lack of chlorophyll production. If this happens, move your Wandering Jew to an area with indirect light until it recovers.
• Root rot – This can happen when plants are overwatered or kept in standing water for too long; signs include yellowing leaves and wilting stems that drop off easily when touched. If you suspect root rot move the plant into fresh potting soil mixed with compost and ensure it is never standing in standing water after watering.

Solutions for Common Problems

Although wandering jew houseplants may be grown in water, several common problems can arise. The most important thing to remember about growing these plants in water is that the water needs to be changed regularly. If not, roots will rot and the leaves will start to yellow. To avoid this, it’s best to use fresh water on a weekly basis and add fertilizer every two weeks.

Other solutions for common problems include:

• Checking humidity levels: These plants prefer fairly humid environments so try using a humidifier if the surface of the plant appears dry.
• Brightening direct light: These plants need bright indirect light but getting them closer to a bright window can give them enough light without exposing them to direct sunlight which could scorch their leaves.
• Improving air circulation: Air movement around the plant helps prevent mold or fungus from forming which could damage the leaves and cause other health issues for your wandering jew plants in water. Using an oscillating fan near your plant can help with this issue as well as providing some general ventilation for your room.
• Repotting & removing stagnant water: If you find that it’s been awhile since you’ve repotted your wandering jew or planted cuttings in soil then it may be time for a refreshment! Doing this will help get rid of build up from the old soil and prevent medicinal smells from occurring due to stagnant water around the root zone of your plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can wandering jew plants grow in water?

Yes, wandering jew plants can grow in water.

2. How do I grow a wandering jew plant in water?

To grow a wandering jew plant in water, you should start by taking a healthy cutting from the plant, and then place it in a small vase or jar filled with water just enough to cover the stem. Change the water every week to avoid the growth of bacteria.

3. Can I grow a wandering jew plant in soil after growing it in water?

Yes, you can transplant a wandering jew plant grown in water into soil once the roots have developed enough to support the plant.

4. How often do I need to change the water in which the wandering jew plant grows?

You should change the water every week to prevent the growth of bacteria, algae or moulds.

5. Can I add fertilizer to the water for my wandering jew plant?

Yes, you can add about a teaspoon of water-soluble fertilizer to the water once a month to provide the plant with nutrients.

6. What types of containers can I use to grow a wandering jew plant in water?

You can use any small vase or jar to grow a wandering jew plant in water, but it’s advisable to use a clear glass vase or jar so that you can see the growth of roots, and the water level.