wandering jew nanouk care

How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

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If you’re familiar with the Nanouk plant, then you’d have discovered that it’s an easy-to-grow flowering succulent and a favorite of most plant lovers.

This plant is one of the easiest-to-care-for houseplants with minimal maintenance requirements. It has beautiful blue, pink-purple, or white flowers that grow from the pink buds and slightly fuzzy bright green, pink or purple foliage.

The Tradescantia Nanouk is a new cultivar developed in the Netherlands through a planned breeding program conducted in Sappemeer back in 2012.

The objective of this program was to create more compact Tradescantia plants with better performance and beautiful flower coloration.

And the objective was met!

So, if you are looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance trailing plant for hanging baskets , both indoors and outdoors, the Tradescantia Nanouk is the way to go!  

If you want to know more about the pink Nanouk plant i.e. identification, propagation, care, and more. This article is meant for you! Read through and get to know your Tradescantia Nanouk plant well.

Let’s get started:

What’s Nanouk Plant

How to identify nanouk plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk is an herbaceous perennial cultivar in the Commelinaceae family. It’s mostly grown for its amazingly beautiful pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage.

The stems of a Nanouk plant are thick and chunky to provide sturdy support to the rounded, fuzzy thick leaves.

It produces small, beautiful pink buds and white and yellow flowers in spring and summer. Tradescantia Nanouk branches grow upright but, with excellent growing conditions and some patience, this plant can trail.

Due to its beautiful and bright foliage, the Fantasy Venice enlivens spaces, especially when used in hanging baskets and as a ground cover.

That’s why it’s widely used as an indoor houseplant and also as a garden plant by a majority of plant lovers.

Noteworthy Characteristics (Plant Profile Summary)

Common name(s): Fantasy Venice, Tradescantia Nanouk, Nanouk Wandering Jew Plant or, Spiderwort 'Nanouk'.

Scientific/Botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ .

USDA Hardiness zones: 10 through 12 for outdoor growing.

Mature Height: Up to 0.5 feet tall.

Mature Spread: Up to 2 feet wide.

Growing habit: Compact and Upright to trailing plant habit.

Native Area: Mexico, South and Central America with cultivars developed in the Netherlands.

Blooming Time: Blooms throughout the plant’s growing season.

Invasive: Considered invasive in the State of Florida.

Toxicity: Toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.

Is Nanouk Plant Toxic?

Yes, just like all other Tradescantia varieties, the Tradescantia Nanouk plant is considered poisonous to both humans and pets.

The sap from this plant causes gastric distress if ingested and can be irritating to the skin.

Hence, keep your pets away and wash up immediately after handling your plant and/or use gloves.

Nanouk Plant Vs Wandering Jew

Nanouk plant and wandering Jew plant both belong to the same genus ‘Tradescantia’ and in general, require almost similar growing and care requirements. 

They also have the same uses in the general landscape, container planting, interiorscape, indoor Plant and, hanging baskets.

However, if we look at their morphology, it’s possible to see a few distinctions between the two that will help you differentiate between them.

For instance; Tradescantia Nanouk plant has pink, bright green, and white lance-shaped foliage while Tradescantia Zebrina ‘green wandering Jew plant’ has variegated olive and silver foliage with purple undersides with purple on both sides for the ‘purple wandering Jew plant’

Apart from this, a Tradescantia Nanouk produces pink buds and white/yellow flowers while Tradescantia Wandering Jew produces white to lavender inconspicuous boat-shaped flowers.

Nanouk Plant Propagation

There are 2 methods of propagating a Nanouk plant. These include; plant division and stem cuttings.

In the stem cuttings method, you can root the cuttings either in water or, in soil. Let’s look at each method at a time.

Method 1: Nanouk plant propagation through division step by step

Step 1: Identify a mature, healthy plant free of pests and diseases. Then remove your plant from the pot carefully and remove all the soil from around the roots gently to avoid root damage.

Step 2: With a lot of care, separate each root ball and stem from one another. Sometimes, the roots of your Nanouk plant can be too intertwined to separate with bare hands without damaging them. If this is the case, use a pair of scissors to cut them apart (the scissors must be sterilized to avoid infections).

Step 3: Plant the individual baby plants in a well-draining potting mix in their containers. Ensure that the potting mix/soil remains moist but never soggy.

Step 4: Since after division the baby plants have some roots attached, it will take them a few more weeks for the roots to be fully established. Occasionally, pull your plants gently from the potting mix and feel if there’s some resistance or the plant just pulls off easily. Some resistance indicates that the roots are establishing and healthy.

Method 2: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in water step by step

Step 1: Identify a healthy Nanouk plant from which you’ll take the cuttings.

Step 2: Using a sterilized pair of scissors take the stem cuttings from the mother plant. Each of the stem cuttings you make must have at least a node (spots where the leaf attaches to the stem and where roots will form) and a leaf.

Step 3: Remove the lower-most leaves (if any) to leave a few inches of a bare stem.

Step 4: Put the cut end of the stem cutting into a jar or container of room-temperature freshwater such that at least a node is below the water surface. Ensure that there aren’t any leaves in the water.

Step 5: Place your container/jar in a warm location with bright, indirect light. Your cuttings need adequate light.

Step 6: Replace the water once every 5 to 7 days or when it gets grubby and top it up as soon as the level gets lower.

Step 7:   It usually takes about a week for the tiny roots to sprout but, wait until the roots are about 2 to 3 inches long before you transfer the cuttings into soil. After you pot up your cutting water it properly and keep the potting mix/soil evenly moist.

Method 3: How to propagate a Nanouk plant in soil step by step

Step 4: Place the cut end of your stem cutting into a container of well-draining moistened potting mix/soil.  Make sure that at least one node is under the surface and that all the leaves are above the surface. Maintain high humidity and keep the growing medium moist but not wet for healthy root development.

Step 5: Move the container with the cutting to a warm space with bright, indirect light.

Step 6: In a few weeks, your cutting will have established its roots and is ready to be treated like a normal plant.

Pro Tip: In all the cutting propagation methods, you can use a rooting hormone like Garden Safe rooting hormone to encourage roots to grow from the cuttings.

How to Grow & Care for Nanouk Plant in Pots – Step by Step

Step 1: selecting the appropriate potting soil.

The Nanouk plants are very resilient and easy to grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil.  You just need a regular, well-draining houseplant potting mix/soil to pot your Tradescantia Nanouk and you’re good to go!

It’s always a good idea to add a handful of orchid bark, perlite or, horticultural/coarse sand to the potting mix to improve drainage .

You can also use a succulent-based potting mix to give your Nanouk plant plenty of drainage.

Pro Tip: Avoid dense soil as it holds too much water/moisture which might lead to root rot and plant death.

Step 2: The Best Planting Pots

When it comes to selecting the best planting pot for you Tradescantia Nanouk, keep in mind that this plant hates excessive moisture. It’s also a fast-grower.

Therefore, choose a pot that matches the size of your plant since you can repot whenever the need arises. (a pot that’s ½ inch larger than the plants’ current root ball is ideal).

A very large pot will cause more harm than good as it holds more soil, consequently more water which might lead to root rot. Also, the roots of this plant don’t need too much soil for sustainability.

The right amount of soil/potting mix ensures that the root ball soaks moisture fast and it’s not left to sit in soggy soil.

Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Providing the right temperature for a Nanouk plant is easy as it performs just fine in a normal household temperature.

With daytime temperatures of up to 75 degrees Celsius and night temperatures of roughly mid-50s, you have nothing to worry about. Just avoid keeping the plant a windowsill as it might be exposed to drafts and cold.

Does a Nanouk plant like humidity?

Yes! This plant loves a humid environment of approximately 40-60%. So, place your Nanouk plant in a room or a more humid space. The lower the humidity levels, the drier the air gets and this leads to crispy leaves.

But the good thing is, you can easily create humidity for your plants whenever the levels are low.

For example, mist the plant more often, use a pebble tray filled with water or, place your plant near a humidifier.

I’d recommend the Pure Enrichment® MistAire™ Ultrasonic Cool Mist Humidifier from Amazon since it has a Quiet Operation, Automatic Shut-Off, Night Light Function and it’s affordable.

Alternatively, place your plant on the bathroom window where it enjoys the steam from your bath without being sprayed by the shower directly.

It’s also an excellent addition to your bathroom plants for a more luxurious look.

Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light

Tradescantia Nanouk plants love bright, indirect light for nice and brightly colored pink and purple leaves.

However, the light shouldn’t necessarily be natural light from the sun as you can still use grow lights to supplement the natural light.

Under low light, the leaves are smaller in size, and the color fades (more green and less variegated). Inadequate light also leads to a leggy plant. Placing your plants near a sunny window works well too in improving light availability.

Caution: Never place your plant in full sun to protect the leaves from scorching.

Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis

When it comes to watering, ‘ WHEN ’ to water is more crucial than ‘ HOW OFTEN’ you water this plant.

‘How often’ suggests a timeline or a schedule to follow. This means that at a specific time or date, you must water your Nanouk plant whether it needs watering or not.

This might lead to overwatering and subsequent root rot which results in a dull and unhealthy plant.

Therefore, check the moisture availability in the topsoil by sticking your index finger into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s the right time to water your Nanouk plant .

Alternatively, use a moisture meter to check if your plant needs watering or not. (That’s if you have one or, purchase a General Tools Digital Moisture Meter from Amazon should you wish to have one)

Usually, watering once a week is enough but there are a few factors that determine how often to water your Nanouk plant.

For instance; if yours is growing outdoors, it’s exposed to more heat and wind than the indoor-grown Nanouk hence, water it more frequently.

Also, when your Nanouk plant is actively growing i.e. in spring and summer, it takes up more water from the soil thus, requires to be watered more frequently than in winter when the plant is dormant.

In addition to this, the pot’s/container’s size also affects how often you water your plants. As such, plants in a small pot usually dry out faster than those in a larger one hence, water more frequently and vice versa.

If you still want to learn more about watering plants and especially succulents, read more on How to Properly Water Your Succulents .

Step 6: Fertilize your Nanouk Plants

Nanouk plants aren’t heavy feeders and usually do well even without feeding.

But, they benefit a lot from a monthly feed with houseplant fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength when actively growing (in spring and summer).

However, be careful not to over-fertilize as this might lead to Nanouk leaf tips turning brown.

In addition to this, make sure to dampen the soil before applying fertilizer and follow the fertilizer application rates and schedule as instructed. This helps avoid plant burn from fertilizer.

Once the growing season is over, stop feeding your plants.

Caution: Do not fertilize your plants right after repotting; not until after 6 weeks to reduce the chances of burning the new root growth.

Other Common Problems in Tradescantia Nanouk

A leggy nanouk plant.

If your Nanouk plant shows signs of fewer leaves and long stretched-out branches, it’s a signal that the plant’s leggy.

Legginess in a Tradescantia Nanouk is caused by inadequate light. Like I earlier explained, always grow your Nanouk plant in bright, indirect light (either from sunlight or, grow light).

Even though this plant was bred for compact growth, it’s not always the case as you might find it a little bit leggy especially when it’s not compact enough.

To avoid having a leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plant, pinch off the leggy growth. This allows for new growth hence, a bushier plant.

You can also stick the cuttings you’ve made right back into the pot and allow them to root and Improve compactness.

Brown Leaf Tips in a Tradescantia Nanouk Plant

This is an indication that the humidity levels are lower than what the plant requires. Like I discussed earlier Tradescantia Nanouk is a humid-lover, and providing it with the right humidity levels is the only way to deal with this problem.

Apply the different ways of ensuring a constantly humid environment for your plant explained earlier in this article under ‘ Step 3: Provide the Necessary Temperature & Humidity

Nanouk Plant Leaf Patterns/variegation Fading

This is caused by too much light and if not controlled in time, the leaves will burn or discolor completely.

To manage how much light gets to your plant, move the plant away from direct sun rays and keep it at a spot with minimal sun rays both in the mornings and evenings.

Nanouk Leaves Curling/A dropping Nanouk Plant

The leaves of your Nanouk plant may curl either inwards or outwards due to moisture and light levels and this is usually accompanied by some discoloration. 

Lack of enough moisture or dehydration as a result of too much light or not enough water causes the leaves to curl inwards to preserve the available moisture.

If the leaves are curling outwards, it’s an indication of too much water or not enough light.

The solution to this problem is to balance the light exposure and watering frequency. For clarity, you can refer to the light and watering requirements earlier discussed in this article ‘ Step 4: Expose the Plants to Adequate Light and Step 5: Watering Your Nanouk Plants on a Need Basis’

Like you have seen growing and caring for a Nanouk plant is easy provided you keep in mind its basic needs.

Whether you are a beginner or you’re used to houseplants, the information you just got will come in handy as you continue growing bountiful numbers of this plant.

And once you experience the striking dash of delight this plant brings to your household, I bet you’ll be addicted to it.

It’s time for you to give it a try.

Wishing you the best of luck with growing and caring for your Tradescantia Nanouk Plant!

National Parks Flora & Fauna Web

Tradescantia Nanouk Plant Invention

Home » House Plants » Wandering Jew

Tradescantia Nanouk Care: Growing The Nanouk Wandering Jew

Tradescantia Nanouk® (trad-es-KAN-tee-uh NAN-uhk) is also known as Fantasy Venice and Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ (al-BIH-flor-uh). 

This Nanouk Tradescantia plant is a new cultivar developed by cross-pollinating two selected seedlings of  Tradescantia albiflora . It is a patented plant with the United States Patent number PP29711.

“Nanouk” has a few other common names, such as Nanouk tradescantia, Fantasy Venice, Wandering Jew, Spiderwort, and Tradescantia bubblegum.

This trendy plant was developed in the Netherlands in 2012 through a planned breeding program focused on creating a more compact type of Tradescantia with impressive flowers and highly dependable performance.

Although Tradescantia plants originated in Mexico, South America, and Central America, it can truly be said that this plant originated in Sappemeer, The Netherlands.

All  Tradescantia plants  are herbaceous perennials and are members of the plant family Commelinaceae (ko-mel-ih-NAY-see-eye).

“Summary of Invention” For Tradescantia Nanouk® as filed with the US Patent Office on March 28, 2017

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Nanouk.’ These characteristics, in combination, distinguish ‘Nanouk’ as a new and distinct Tradescantia plant:

• Compact and upright to broadly spreading plant habit.
• Strong and healthy leaves.
• Light purple, green, and greyed green-colored leaves.
• Good interiorscape performance.

Plants of the new Tradescantia and the parent selections differ primarily in leaf color, as plants of the parent selections have white and green-colored leaves.

Plants of the new Tradescantia can be compared to plants of the Tradescantia spathacea ‘Tricolor,’ not patented. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Tradescantia and ‘Tricolor’ differ primarily in leaf shape as plants of new Tradescantia have shorter and more rounded leaves than plants of ‘Tricolor.’

Plants of the new Tradescantia can also be compared to plants of the Tradescantia albiflora ‘Albovittata,’ not patented. 

Nanouk Plant Quick Care Tips

• Botanical Name: Syngonium podophyllum
• Common Name(s): Nanouk Plant, Arrowhead Plant
• Synonyms: N/A
• Family & Origin: Araceae family, native to Mexico, tropical rainforests of Central and South America
• Growability: Easy to grow
• Grow Zone: USDA zones 10-12
• Size: Grows up to 2-3′ feet tall and wide
• Flowering: Rarely flowers indoors
• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Humidity: Prefers high humidity, mist regularly
• Temperature: Keep in temperatures between 55-75°F
• Soil: Well-draining soil
• Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, do not overwater
• Fertilizer: Fertilize once a month during growing season with a balanced fertilizer
• Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, and scale insects. Can also be affected by root rot if overwatered.
• Propagation: Propagated through stem cuttings in water or soil
• Plant Uses: Great for adding greenery to indoor spaces, can also be used in terrariums or as a hanging plant.

In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Tradescantia and ‘Albovittata’ differ primarily in leaf color, as plants of ‘Albovittata’ have white and green-colored leaves.  [ source ]

Grooming and Maintenance

Taking stem cuttings – propagating tradescantia, is nanouk considered invasive, tradescantia nanouk care, size and growth.

Nanouk Tradescantia has a very compact and upright growth habit and spreads freely. It is considered a fast grower. The plant typically reaches a height and width of just under three-and-a-half inches.

The plants’ stems are thick, and the leaves are smooth on the top and a bit furry on the underside. Green, pink, and white stripes on large, lush leaves with cute little white and yellow flowers that grow from pink buds.  

The variegated leaves of Tradescantia Nanouk are impressively healthy, strong, and rather plump. Leaf coloration is quite lovely in shades of green, light purple, grayish green, pink, and cream.

Flowering and Fragrance

Flowers may be either pink or white and appear continuously throughout the plant’s growing season, which is spring through early autumn. 

When kept indoors, Tradescantia Nanouk may also bloom through the winter months.

Nanouk Plant Care: Light & Temperature

Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’ does well in bright indirect sunlight or in full sun. Indirect bright light leads to greater flower production. Too little light will cause the foliage to fade.

Some direct sun is beneficial, but make sure not to overdo it since the leaves can get bleached or sunburned from too much direct sunlight.

If you want to increase the humidity, we suggest you mist it often, place it near a humidifier, or use a pebble tray.

The ideal daytime temperature for the Nanouk Tradescantia cultivar is between 55° and 75° degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoors, this Tradescantia is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12.

Watering and Feeding

Overwatering is far more problematic than underwatering. Allow the soil to become almost dry, and then water thoroughly.

Generally speaking, Tradescantia Nanouk will do well with weekly watering. Never allow the plant to stand in water.

Tradescantia nanouk requires a moderate amount of water when planted in potting mix with good drainage. Allow the water to drain freely out a drainage hole, and then return the plant to its home! 

As with most Tradescantia, this cultivar does not really need fertilizer. Over-feeding can lead to brown leaf tips. 

If you do want to fertilize your plant, give it a half-strength solution of a good quality liquid houseplant fertilizer.

Alternately, give the plant a top dressing of vermicompost first thing in the spring.

Soil and Transplanting

Good drainage is a must. If your soil tends to be a bit heavy, add some perlite or coarse sand to lighten it up.

When potting your Tradescantia Nanouk, it’s important to use a standard well-draining houseplant soil mixed with coarse sand, orchid bark, or perlite. 

Nanouk Tradescantia does well in any high-quality potting soil mix or container mix when kept as a potted plant. 

You can improve the quality of the soil by adding organic matter such as compost, mulch, or peat moss.

Don’t worry if you have to do a bit of root ripping. Then plant each in separate small pots using well-draining soil. 

You can also check if the roots are poking out of the bottom of the container. This is a sign that you should repot your plant. 

Repotting is crucial for plant health because the old, oxygen-deprived, compacted soil is removed in this process.  

When kept outdoors as a landscape plant, all of these caveats apply. Be sure that your soil is amended properly so that it supplies nourishment, holds the right amount of moisture, and allows excess moisture to drain away.

Even though Tradescantia Nanouk is bred to be compact, it still has some of its cousins’ sprawling and wandering habits. Keep the plant pinched back to encourage bushier growth.

Light pruning of dead and damaged foliage is recommended, and though fertilizing is not necessary, if you’d like to give your plants a boost, then it’s best to fertilize them in spring and summer.

Pinching new growth or cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier.  The leaves will also be a bit smaller, with much more green and less variegation.  

If your plant begins to sprawl and looks a little bit thin at the top, trim off leggy cuttings and poke them into the soil in the center of the pot. They will quickly take root and fill out your plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk Propagation

As with all Tradescantia, propagation is a breeze. Just trim off cuttings and start them in soil or in water.

Tradescantia Nanouk Pests or Diseases

Excessive watering is the main problem for all Tradescantia. Too much water can cause root rot and fungal infections. This may lead to trouble with fungus gnats.

Anytime your Tradescantia Nanouk plant seems to be less than healthy and happy, the first thing you should do is check to see if the soil is soggy. If it is, allow the plant to dry out completely before watering again.

Trim away any stems and/or leaves that seem to be damaged or rotten. You may also wish to take healthy cuttings at this time just in case root rot causes the demise of your main plant.

On the flip side, if you allow your Tradescantia Nanouk plant becomes too dry, you may experience trouble with spider mites. 

These can be avoided by maintaining a correct watering schedule and by increasing humidity levels around your plants.

You can do this by misting and/or placing your plants on a pebble tray with a bit of water. Be sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the pot. It is intended to evaporate around the plants and increase humidity.

Spider mite infestation  can be addressed by giving your plant a vigorous shower with fresh water. 

Follow up by misting the plant with a 50-50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. You may need to repeat the misting several times to kill off all the spider mites and their eggs.

Is Nanouk Considered Toxic or Poisonous to People, Kids, and Pets?

The sap of all Tradescantia can be irritating to the skin and may cause gastric distress if ingested. Wear gloves when handling your plant and/or wash up immediately after you finish trimming.

​Related:  Have you ever wondered:  Is Wandering Jew Poisonous?

Keep pets away from Tradescantia plants, as the sap can cause stomach upset if ingested and may cause dermatitis if it comes in contact with the animal’s skin.

Tradescantia of all sorts are considered invasive plants in the state of Florida. This type of plant naturalizes and spreads easily in any tropical environment.

Suggested Tradescantia Nanouk Uses

Tradescantia Nanouk can be used as a groundcover in tropical areas, but it was really developed to be kept as a houseplant. 

It’s pretty colors and hardy leaves make it a good choice as a tabletop or desktop plant.

Another popular variation is the inch plant (T. cerinthoides), earning its name for its tendency to ‘‘inch along’’ as it grows along the ground or trails downward from a hanging planter. 

It can do well in hanging baskets as it creates a fuller and more controlled appearance than other types of Tradescantia.

This pretty, colorful plant also does very well in mixed planters. The Tradescantia Nanouk plant is a perfect addition to any houseplant collection.

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How to Grow and Care for Tradescantia Nanouk

@plant.heart.city

In This Article

You’ve probably spotted this trendy plant on your Instagram feed. Tradescantia Nanouk ( Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’), also known as Fantasy Venice, is a special type of spiderwort plant that’s become a must-have for plant lovers. Pink, white, purple, and green stripes pattern its lush leaves on upright stems. Under the right conditions, it can grow as a long trailing ivy , and you’ll even find small white and yellow flowers emerging from its pink buds during the growing season. Tradescantia Nanouk grows quickly and vigorously.

This plant was specifically designed to be colorful , attractive, and easy to grow. Unlike other plants in the Tradescantia and Zebrina genera, Tradescantia Nanouk is unique in that it’s a patented plant, developed in the Netherlands in 2012. It originated in a program aiming to create a more vigorous, hardy Tradescantia with showier blooms .

• Botanical Name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’
• Common Name: Tradescantia Nanouk, Fantasy Venice
• Plant Type: Perennial, trailing vine
• Mature Size: 3–6 inches high, 12–24 inches long (trailing)
• Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect light
• Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix, optional vermiculite or peat moss
• Soil pH: 5.0–6.5
• Toxicity: Toxic to cats and dogs

Getty Images

Tradescantia Nanouk grows best in bright, indirect light, so a north- or east-facing window is best. Water your plant when the top inch or so of the soil is dry, and take care not to let it completely dry out. North-facing windows will provide less light, so your plant will need less water there than in an east-facing window.

Because Tradescantia Nanouk thrives in a humid environment, it’s a great plant to keep in a bathroom window since the steam from your shower or tub will keep the air moist. You can also create a humid environment by grouping your Tradescantia Nanouk closely with other humidity-loving plants and running a humidifier nearby. Another option is to create a humidifying tray beneath your plant.

Tradescantia Nanouk is such a hardy grower that it doesn’t require fertilizing. If you’d like to fertilize your plant, feed it with a standard houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength every two to four weeks during the spring and summer growing seasons.

When cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk, save the stem cuttings, and use them to propagate new plants. 

Best Growing Conditions for Tradescantia Nanouk

Tradescantia Nanouk grows well in daytime temperatures up to 75 degrees, with night temperatures ideally in the mid-50s. If you notice yellowing leaves and rotting roots, you're likely overwatering. Wilted leaves, on the other hand, may mean you're underwatering.

Use a standard, well-draining houseplant soil when potting your Tradescantia Nanouk. To enhance drainage, it’s a good idea to add a few handfuls of perlite, orchid bark, or coarse sand to the mix. Be sure to use a pot or container with a hole in the bottom and a drainage tray to protect household surfaces.

Under the right conditions, your Tradescantia Nanouk will flower during the growing season (roughly spring through autumn). Its flowers are small and star-shaped and typically have white, yellow, and pink accents.

Types of Tradescantia Nanouk

The Tradescantia and Zebrina genera include many different variants similar to the Tradescantia Nanouk. Perhaps the most common is the wandering Jew ( T. zebrina ), a spiderwort often grown indoors and in gardens. Another popular variation is the inch plant (T. cerinthoides) , earning its name for its tendency to ‘‘inch along’’ as it grows along the ground or trails downward from a hanging planter .

The boat lily ( T. spathacea) features similar colors to Tradescantia Nanouk but grows in long, pointed leaves from an upward bunch rather than along vine-like stems. Even T. sillamontana , known as cobweb spiderwort and bearing little resemblance to its relatives in the genus, is part of the same family. However, with its fuzzy, geometric-shaped leaves and bright purple flowers, you may not recognize it as being related at first glance.

T. fluminensis— sometimes called small-leaf spiderwort and commonly grown indoors or as a ground cover—may be the most similar in appearance to Tradescantia Nanouk. This trailing variant bears the same pink, white, and green colors but typically has white flowers and more prominent green areas on its leaves.

How to Propagate Tradescantia Nanouk

Like its fellow Tradescantia and Zebrina species, Tradescantia Nanouk is very easy to propagate from tip and stem cuttings. Propagating in soil works well, but starting cuttings in water allows you to monitor root growth. Tradescantia Nanouk can be propagated through several methods. Here’s how:

Step 1: Select stems on the mother plant with a few sets of leaves. These cuttings are ideal for growing new plants.

Step 2: With clean, sterilized pruners, make a diagonal cut on the stem near the plant’s base. Snip off the bottom leaves from the cutting, ensuring a few sets of leaves remain. 

Step 3: Fill a few jars halfway with water. Place the cuttings in separate jars, and fill them with water just below the leaves. To propagate with soil, simply use a small pot with soil in place of water during this step.

Step 4: Place the cuttings in a warm spot with bright, indirect light, but make sure they're out of direct sunlight. Over the next few weeks, roots should grow from the submerged leaf nodes. Add more water as necessary. 

Step 5: When the roots are at least 2 inches long, the cuttings are ready to plant. To create a full-looking adult plant, fill a pot with soil, and plant four cuttings around the edge of the pot, with a fifth cutting in the center. 

Step 6: Care for your new Tradescantia Nanouk as usual.

Common Growing Problems With Tradescantia Nanouk

Although Tradescantia Nanouk was bred to be an easy-growing plant , it’s prone to common growing problems, like root rot and loss of leaf color.

It’s ideal to water the soil directly so that you avoid getting the area between the leaves wet, which can cause the plant to rot. Be consistent with waterings, ensuring the soil stays moist and doesn't ever become completely dry.

Loss of Leaf Color

Choose a place with bright, indirect light. Leggy Tradescantia Nanouk plants are likely not receiving enough sun. If your plant is in a north-facing window, try switching it to the east side of your house. A sunny bathroom window is usually a great place to bring unhappy plants back to their lush state. While this plant can survive with less light, its colors and variegation will fade, and it may grow pale as leaves droop. 

Potting and Repotting Tradescantia Nanouk

Since this species is so vigorous, it’s a good idea to repot your plant once a year or so. Use a container one size larger than the previous pot, and fill it with fresh potting soil. Pinching new growth or cutting back your Tradescantia Nanouk will encourage it to grow fuller and bushier. Since this plant hates having soggy roots, make sure you choose a new container with holes for drainage.

Are Tradescantia Nanouk Easy to Care For?

Yes, Tradescantia Nanouk is an easy-growing plant, however, you'll need to watch out for root rot (avoid getting the area between the leaves wet) and loss of leaf color (choose a growing spot with bright, indirect light).

How Fast Does Tradescantia Nanouk Grow?

With the right growing conditions, Tradescantia Nanouk is very fast-growing and vigorous. You'll want to repot once a year on average.

Can Tradescantia Nanouk Grow Indoors?

Yes. A humid environment is ideal so Tradescantia Nanouk thrives near bathroom windows or near a humidifier.

Tradescantia 'Nanouk' United States Plant Patent Application Publication . United States Patent and Trademark Office. October 4, 2018

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How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant (Your Complete Guide)

When it comes to houseplants able to brighten up indoor spaces, it doesn’t get much more colorful than the variegated foliage of a Wandering Jew plant ( Tradescantia zebrina ). With their hardy nature and ease of care, they are a perfect choice for those feeling they kill everything they bring indoors. We’ve listed a quick summary of their care below.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant: Grow your Wandering Jew in well-drained soil, kept moist but not soggy through regular watering. Create humidity, keep indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) and fertilize monthly.

Continue reading because we’ve taken all the guesswork out of caring for your Wandering Jew and keeping it healthy and happy for years to come.

How To Care For A Wandering Jew Plant

Wandering Jew plants belong in the Commelinaceae family, which includes around 652 different species. The family is made up of herbs, climbers and several epiphytes, with some used as outdoor and indoor ornamentals like Wandering Jew.

There are three different plants commonly known as Wandering Jews; Tradescantia fluminensis , Tradescantia pallida , and Tradescantia zebrina. Of the three, Tradescantia zebrina is the most common one grown and has the most eye-catching and colorful foliage. All three have the same requirements for care and good growth.

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, Wandering Jew is classified as a tender evergreen perennial that performs well planted outdoors in frost-free regions. Those living in cooler environments can easily grow it as an indoor plant planted either in containers or in hanging baskets. Outdoors it’s typically used as a quick-growing groundcover.

Although a common name shared with several very different plants, Wandering Jew is often called Inch Plant , due to the leaf margins being spaced about an inch apart. You may also find Wandering Jew listed as Zebrina Pendula , but is synonymous with Tradescantia zebrina and is the same plant.

When it comes to Wandering Jew plants, it’s all about the attention-grabbing foliage. The succulent stems give way to leaves that are a deep purple on their undersides with the upper portion striped in silvery-gray and greenish-blue. The oval leaves grow to about 2.5 inches long and the stems grow about 2 feet long. It makes a beautiful plant used in hanging baskets, with the long stems cascading over the side.

Even grown indoors, Wandering Jews have a fast rate of growth and before you know it, the plants will be spilling over your container’s or hanging basket’s sides. Whereas some indoor plants seem to take forever to fill out, this isn’t a problem with properly cared for Wandering Jew plants.

There are several other cultivars (varieties) of Wandering Jew, which include:

• ‘Purpusii’ has unstriped, hairy foliage that is either solid red or reddish-green.
• ‘Quadricolor’ produces metallic-green foliage striped in red, white and green.

Wandering Jew plants are the ideal candidates for beginner houseplant gardeners due to their hardiness and robust growth. Below we’ve outlined all the basics of their proper care, as well as identifying and preventing any potential problems so you can enjoy your Wandering Jew for years to come. The best indoor plants are those that are happy and healthy.

Soil Conditions For Wandering Jew Plants

Wandering Jew plants tolerate growing in a wide range of soils provided they drain well. Although they do tolerate and prefer moist conditions, the soil must drain properly to prevent root and stem rot from occurring. Therefore, it is necessary to use a lighter weight soil mixture in your pots rather than heavier soils that don’t provide proper drainage.

Straight potting soils are usually too heavy, retain too much moisture and have a tendency to leave the soil soggy. You can use a heavier potting soil in your soil mixture, just be sure to incorporate a lighter soil mix to provide the Wandering Jew the drainage required for healthy growth.

Commercial potting mixes work well and many have a slow-release fertilizer mixed in, which cuts down on the need for frequent feedings. The slow-release blends usually continue to fertilize the Wandering Jew for about three months.

You can also make your own soil by mixing several ingredients together such as:

• Using equal parts of compost and a potting mix.
• Mixing equal portions of compost, peat and potting soil or a potting mix.
• Using equal portions of a course sand, compost and potting soil or a potting mix.

Whatever soil you choose to use, just make sure it drains well and contains a bit of fertility for the best performance of your Wandering Jew plants.

Preferred Light Conditions

Although Wandering Jew plants tolerate lower light conditions than many houseplants, to help retain those striking colors the plant is known for, place the container in a location indoors receiving filtered sunlight. If your plant starts losing some of the color in the foliage, move it to a location that receives a bit more light.

In addition, if the lower portion of the stems start suffering leaf drop, the Wandering Jew isn’t get enough light and needs to be relocated to a brighter area inside the home.

Once the warm weather of spring arrives and if you’d like to give your Wandering Jew a bit of a break from its indoor location, place it in an outdoor spot that receives partial sun to partial shade. Moving it to an outdoor location with too much sun may leave the foliage sunburned.

Indoor Temperature Requirements

In the Wandering Jew’s native environment, temperatures are consistently warm without the threat of frosts or freezes. Generally, if the indoor temperatures inside your home are comfortable for you, they will also be comfortable for your Wandering Jew plant.

Indoor temperatures between 50°F (10°C) to 85°F (29°C) are a good range for your Wandering Jew plants. Plants grown in this temperature range produce the healthiest growth.

If you gave your plants a break from their indoor location, just make sure to bring them back indoors before the cold weather of winter strikes.

Water Requirements

Wandering Jews prefer soils that are regularly kept moist, not soggy, compared to many indoor houseplants. However, this doesn’t mean the soil should be kept so wet they never begin to dry out. Keeping the soil too wet for too long promotes rot to set in and you may end up killing your Wandering Jew plants. Your Wandering Jew is more likely to forgive you if you forget to water over watering too much and too often.

A good rule to follow is if the soil starts to feel like it’s about to become very dry, apply water. It’s easy to know exactly when to water by:

• Sticking your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to feel dry, water until it runs from the container’s bottom drain holes.

During the warm growing season of spring through summer, you can probably expect to water once each week. However, during winter when the Wandering Jew goes into dormancy (its growth slows), you will probably only need to water about every other week.

Humidity Requirements

Compared to many tropical plants grown indoors, Wandering Jew plants aren’t quite as fussy about humid conditions , but still need some humidity for the best growth and performance. Don’t let the thought of creating a humid environment stress you out because replicating humidity for your indoor plants is relatively easy and basic.

• Fill a spray bottle with room temperature water and mist the Wandering Jew several times each week.
• If you’re growing the Wandering Jew in a container and not in a hanging basket, you can set the pot on a tray of pebbles. As you water, the water seeps from the bottom drain holes onto the tray of pebbles and as it evaporates, it creates a humid environment around the plant.
• If your bathroom gets the appropriate amount of light for the Wandering Jew, you can allow it to grow there. Due to the regular use of water in a bathroom, moisture is created, creating the humidity the Wandering Jew requires.

Fertilizer Needs

Unless the soil mixture contains a slow-release fertilizer blend, which feeds the Wandering Jew for about three months, fertilizing monthly is sufficient for proper growth. You have several choices when it comes to fertilizer you can use for your Wandering Jew plant.

• Use a houseplant fertilizer applied at half-strength, applied when you do your regular watering.
• Use an all-purpose, water-soluble blend for outdoor and indoor plants, applied at half-strength and used during your regular watering schedule.
• If your soil mixture didn’t contain a slow-release fertilizer or it’s been about three months, if one was contained in the soil, you can reapply slow-release fertilizer granules sprinkled over the top of the soil. Follow the package directions on amounts.

When it comes to the appropriate time of year to fertilize the Wandering Jew, only fertilize while it’s actively growing, which is spring throughout summer. In winter, the plant goes through a dormant stage and all growth slows, so there is no need to apply fertilizer. Wait until spring arrives before you resume fertilizing the plant.

The one thing you will need to pay attention to when it comes to fertilizing is the buildup of salts in the soil, which can result in foliage burns. Wandering Jew plants have a low tolerance to salty soils. Preventing any salt buildup is relatively simple:

• If the plant isn’t too big, you can take the entire pot to your sink or bathtub and allow water to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes, flushing out any salts.
• If the plant is too big for indoor flushing, take it outside and allow water from the hose to run slowly through the soil for about five minutes. Allow the water to drain and then bring the plant back indoors.

Pruning Requirements

The pruning needs of Wandering Jew plants are low. If you want to control the size of the plant and promote bushier growth, you can pinch off the tips of the stems. To keep the plant always looking its best, you can trim off any broken, dead or damaged stems and leaves throughout the year.

When using pruning tools to trim your Wandering Jew always make sure they are clean so you don’t transfer any diseases or pests to your plant. This is as easy as wiping off the blades with alcohol.

Some people experience skin irritations when handling the cuttings due to the sap , so if you are unsure if you are one of these unlucky gardeners, it might be best to wear gardening gloves when pruning or handling Wandering Jew cuttings.

Potting Needs

If you purchased your Wandering Jew already potted in a hanging basket or 1-gallon container, it should thrive as is for a year or more before it requires repotting. However, if you received rooted cuttings in smaller containers like 4- to 6-inch pots, you most likely need to repot them into something a bit larger so they can grow properly.

This also cuts down on the need for repotting in a month or two as the Wandering Jew begins to outgrow its present pot.

When it comes to the pot’s material, any type works quite well for growing this plant from clay to plastic. However, if you grow your Wandering Jew in a pot made of a porous material like terra cotta, the soil is going to dry quicker than if it was growing in a plastic pot. This means you will need to water more frequently.

Once your Wandering Jew starts getting too big for its present container, it’s time to repot it into one that is around 1- to 2-inches larger. Although the plant likes a moist soil, make sure the pot has bottom drainage to prevent the possibility of rot due to conditions that are too wet.

If you like, you can dress the container up by placing the draining one inside a decorative pot without bottom drain holes, but be sure to empty out any additional water once the inner pot thoroughly drains.

I think a decorative outer pot can add so much to the beauty of your houseplants, so I do this with almost all of my houseplants. Read this article which discusses my favorite decorative planters if you need some inspiration.

Potting and repotting your Wandering Jew is basic:

• Gently remove the Wandering Jew from its present container, being careful not to break the succulent stems.
• Fill the new container that drains about a quarter of the way full with a fertile, well-drained potting mix.
• Check the Wandering Jew’s root system and if it’s growing bunched together and filled the previous pot, gently tease the roots apart with your hands.
• Place the Wandering Jew into the new container and finish filling it with soil.
• Water the Wandering Jew until it runs from the bottom drain holes and place in a bright location indoors.

Propagating New Plants

When it comes to propagating new plants, Wandering Jew is about as easy as it gets. Even if you have never done this before you should have success starting its cuttings. When you trim to control its size, don’t throw those cuttings away but use them to start additional plants.

You have two choices when it comes to rooting your cuttings and both are easy. The first thing you will want to do is obtain your cuttings. Trim off a 4- to 6-inch cutting from the mother plant and you’re ready to start rooting.

Rooting in Soil

• Fill a 6-inch to 1-gallon container that drains with a rich, well-drained potting mix. Water the soil to settle it.
• Make about a 2-inch indentation in the soil where you want to place the Wandering Jew cutting.
• Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting where you will be inserting it into the soil. You can do this by pinching them off with your fingers.
• Place the cutting into the indentation and firm the soil up around it with your fingers.
• Water the soil again and place the cutting in the same light conditions where the mother plant was thriving. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.

Roots should form in about four weeks and after about eight weeks, the Wandering Jew cuttings should form a new root system.

Rooting in Water

• Fill a glass jar or plastic container with about 3-inches of room temperature water.
• Pinch off any leaves from the section of the Wandering Jew cutting that will be submerged in the water.
• Place the cutting in the water and situate the container in a bright indoor location.
• Change the water in the container about every other week, or when cloudy.

You should start seeing new roots form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots are several inches long, you can repot the cuttings into a draining container filled with fertile, well-drained soil.

Disease Problems

Wandering Jew plants grown indoors are hardy and don’t have major diseases that plague them. However, rot is their biggest enemy and caused by soils that are too heavy and do not drain properly, retaining too much water. Overwatering and planting in pots that don’t drain are other causes of rot problems.

When rot rears its ugly head you’ll notice the bottom stems, as well as the foliage turning black, becoming mushy and the entire plant collapses. If this happens and seems to start affecting the entire Wandering Jew plant, you can trim off healthy, unaffected sections of the stems and repot into fresh, clean soil. Since there is no saving the rot-infected sections, you will have no choice but to discard those portions of the plant.

Steps for preventing problems with rot include:

• Using lightweight potting mixes that drain well and aren’t too heavy, which leads to the soil remaining too wet for too long. Some types of potting soils have a tendency to be heavy and need mixing with a potting mix, compost, coarse sand or peat.
• Don’t overwater your Wandering Jew. Although they prefer growing in moist soils, this doesn’t mean constantly soggy soil. Stick your finger into the soil and if the top inch is starting to become dry, apply water until it runs from the bottom of the pot.
• Make sure the pot you are growing your Wandering Jew in has bottom drainage. If you have placed the pot inside a decorative one that doesn’t drain, make sure to empty all the water from it after you have watered.

Pest Problems

Although indoor Wandering Jew plants are not big candidates for problems with pests, several can cause an infestation and problems. As with any pest problem indoors or outside in the garden, quick control is always the best option to keep your plants healthy. It also assures the pests do not migrate to your other plants causing even bigger problems and headaches.

The pests most likely to infest your indoor Wandering Jew plants are:

• Aphids: Aphids come in a host of different colors and are tiny, pear-shaped, sap-sucking insects that usually congregate in large masses along the Wandering Jew’s stems. In large infestations, they can kill the plant or severely weaken it. If the infestation is small, you can wipe the pests off the stems with a moist cloth. However, if the infestation is large, you will probably have to spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the package.
• Spider Mites: Spider mites are another sap-sucking pest that if left unchecked can quickly kill or weaken the Wandering Jew. It is easy to tell if you have a spider mite problem as these tiny, white pests spin fine webbing that covers the plant. Spider mites can be the bane of houseplants so quick control is necessary. Use an insecticidal soap or Neem and spray the entire plant, reapplying as suggested on the product label.
• Whiteflies:   Whiteflies are other sap-sucking pests that can quickly kill or weaken your Wandering Jew if not quickly controlled. They are another easily identifiable pest, as just touching the plant sends the tiny whiteflies from the plant’s foliage and into the air, hovering right above it. Control the problem with an insecticidal soap or Neem, spraying the entire plant and reapplying as suggested on the product’s label.
• Mealybugs:   Sap-sucking mealybugs show up on the Wandering Jew as cottony masses covering the stems and crotches of the foliage. Control the problem by spraying the entire plant with insecticidal soap or Neem, reapplying as suggested on the product’s label. If the infestation is small, you can also wipe them from the stems and leaves with a damp cloth.

Is Wandering Jew A Perennial?

Wandering Jew plants are considered a tender, evergreen perennial. Unlike annuals, and if grown in preferred conditions with proper care, Wandering Jews should live and keep on growing for quite a few years, both indoors and outside.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Plant’s Leaves Losing Their Color?

If your Wandering Jew is growing in light conditions that are too low, the leaves will start to lose their color and become duller. When grown indoors and to keep the bright color on the foliage, make sure the Wandering Jew is growing in a location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew’s Leaves Dropping?

Wandering Jew plants grown in light conditions that are too low will start dropping leaves at the base of their stems. Solve the problem by moving the plant to an indoor location that is brighter. For the best leaf color and growth, they prefer an indoor location receiving bright light.

Why Are My Wandering Jew Cuttings Rotting In Soil?

If your Wandering Jew cuttings are rotting in soil it could be one of two things causing the problem. The soil you are growing the cuttings in may be infected with a fungus that is infecting them with rot.

You can solve the problem by planting the cutting in a sterile, well-drained potting mix. Another cause might be the soil is remaining too soggy and the container doesn’t drain.

Make sure you are using a soil that drains well and doesn’t remain soggy, do not overwater and use a container with bottom drainage. Water the cuttings when to top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Can I Root Wandering Jew Cuttings In Water?

Wandering Jew cuttings root quite well in water. Fill a container with several inches of water, remove any leaves that would be submerged and stick the cut end into the water.

Fill the container with fresh, clean water about every other week. You should start seeing root form on the cuttings in several weeks. Once the roots get several inches in length, you can repot the cuttings in a draining container with rich, well-drained soil.

Are Wandering Jew Plants Toxic?

When it comes to humans, Wandering Jew’s sap can cause skin irritation in humans that are allergic to it. Therefore, it’s best to wear gardening gloves when handling or pruning the plant.

The plant is listed as toxic to dogs and cats, due to its tendency to cause skin allergies and dermatitis. To keep your pets and children safe, make sure you situate your indoor Wandering Jew out of the reach of both.

If you’d like some indoor plants that are non-toxic, check out this article which discusses my favorite non-toxic houseplants.

Do Wandering Jew Plants Produce Blooms?

When grown outdoors, Wandering Jews produce small, three-petaled, lavender flowers, but the plant rarely ever blooms grown indoors as a houseplant.

Can I Grow Wandering Jew Outdoors?

Wandering Jew plants grow as perennials planted outdoors in frost-free climates, however, those with cooler weather can plant outdoors and treat it as an annual.

What’s The Growth Rate For Wandering Jew Plants?

When grown in proper conditions with proper care, Wandering Jew plants are considered fast growers.

Many thanks for reading my guide to Wandering Jew care. This really is a great indoor plant for your home. Beautiful and easy to care for, its hard to go wrong.

If you want more help with looking after your indoor plants, check out the rest of my articles , and head over to my resources section , where I have some great recommended resources, books and equipment to help you grow healthier, more beautiful plants.

Indoor Plants for Beginners

Tradescantia Nanouk Plant Care

The Tradescantia Nanouk is a gorgeous variety of traditional Tradescantia (aka spiderwort) with pink or purple foliage. This Tradescantia Nanouk plant care guide will tell you everything you need to know to successfully grow and care for your own Tradescantia Nanouk Plants including how to avoid common pitfalls when growing them indoors.

Here’s how to care for the Tradescantia Nanouk:

• Water when the top inch of soil dries out
• Provide bright, indirect light
• Use well-draining soil with amendments
• Choose glazed ceramic or clay pot
• Provide temps of 75° and humidity over 60%
• Fertilize with diluted plant fertilizer 

Keep reading for detailed, actionable steps to successfully grow a Tradescantia Nanouk. I’ll even discuss the common obstacles people face when caring for this plant so you can avoid them!

Tradescantia Nanouk Overview

The Tradescantia includes more than 70 species of perennial herbaceous wildflowers. The plant that goes by such names as the spiderwort and wandering Jew has a bunch of fun, colorful varieties, and the one I want to talk about today is the Tradescantia Nanouk.

The Tradescantia Nanouk or Tradescantia albiflora is among the most popular varieties due to its incredible coloration. As I touched on in the intro, the leaves of this plant are tinged electric purple, violet, or pink.

The variegation is such that the entire leaf isn’t pink or purple. The color usually expands along the sides of the leaf as well as in the center, stretching out in straight lines. The rest of the leaf is green. The result is a plant with foliage that almost looks like a classic watercolor painting.

Some indoor gardeners swear that the Tradescantia Nanouk is rare. I would say that, compared to other Tradescantia varieties, it’s harder to come by, but it’s definitely not rare . 

However, due to public perception, be ready to pay more to bring home a Tradescantia Nanouk than your basic Tradescantia plants. You might spend $30 and up in some instances.

If one of your indoor gardening buddies wants to send you some Tradescantia Nanouk cuttings, you can easily propagate your own Tradescantia Nanouk for free.

What can you expect if you choose this plant for your indoor garden? The Tradescantia Nanouk is a trailing perennial that reaches heights of three to six inches. It’s the length you’ll have to worry about, as the plant can trail 12 to 24 inches in maturity. 

Caring for Tradescantia Nanouk

If you’ve decided the colorful Tradescantia Nanouk is the right houseplant for you, this next section will provide you with lots of valuable information! 

Watering a Tradescantia Nanouk

Let’s begin by discussing the Tradescantia Nanouk plant’s watering requirements. Using the fingertip test, gauge how dry the soil is. If the top inch is mostly dry or completely dry, it’s time for more water.

In the beginning, watering your Tradescantia Nanouk will be easy. Depending on how your plant grows as it nears maturity though, you may struggle to water it later down the line.

Why is that? Tradescantia Nanouk plants often have stems that often grow in a way where they cover the top of the pot. 

As the plant continues to grow upward, watering can become more difficult. Using a traditional watering can may result in only the leaves getting wet, not the soil, and thus not the roots either.

If your Tradescantia Nanouk is growing in a similar pattern, you might have good luck filling a drip tray with lukewarm water and allowing your plant to soak. This is called bottom-watering , and it is effective for many houseplant species!

I should note though that the Nanouk is susceptible to fungal issues, so overwatering is not something you should make a habit of. If you’re soaking the Nanouk plant, only do it for as long as required for the plant to absorb the water.

Tradescantia Nanouk Light Requirements

Like many variegated houseplant species, the Tradescantia Nanouk prefers bright, indirect light.

Bright indirect light is sunlight that passes through a curtain or a similar medium. 

Short periods of full sun are okay, especially if it’s earlier in the day. I must stress that you need to keep those periods very short.

If you don’t, your poor Nanouk could have burned foliage that erases all the beauty of the pink or purple variegation.

I’d recommend an easterly-facing or a northerly-facing window for this Tradescantia variety. If all you have is a southerly-facing window, then position your plant at least three feet away. Be sure to monitor for signs of too much sun. 

Outside of burnt foliage, those signs can include wilting and dry, crispy leaves. If your plant has these symptoms, then move it out of the sun and replenish it with water. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, dim lighting is the biggest enemy of variegated plants. The lack of light sucks away color, leaving your plant green.

You’ll know your Nanouk is starving for light if it begins growing towards whatever the nearest light source is.

Growing long and thin towards the nearest light source, is often referred to as “leggy”. If you’ve ever heard the term “leggy” used when discussing houseplants or indoor plants , now you know what it means. 

Best Soil for a Tradescantia Nanouk

The Tradescantia Nanouk doesn’t require special soil; any standard variety will do as long as it’s well-draining soil. 

I wouldn’t say the Tradescantia is sensitive to water, but no plant likes being saturated in standing water, and that includes this one. Hence, it’s well-draining soil to the rescue.

To further enhance drainage, many indoor gardeners will add soil amendments. 

One option you might consider is coarse sand or horticultural grit. Sand is a good aerator, so it will keep the soil soft and fluffy. 

However, I caution you against using too much. Once you overdo it on the sand, this amendment can dry out the soil and cause water to drain too quickly.

You’ll then find yourself watering the Tradescantia Nanouk far more often than is required. Regular overwatering can lead to root rot, which kills your plant from the roots up.

Perlite is another good soil amendment for the Nanouk. This smooth volcanic glass enhances the aeration of your plant’s soil and improves its drainage as well. No more standing water for your Tradescantia!

Orchid bark is a third popular soil amendment I see a lot of Tradescantia Nanouk growers recommend. The bark will retain some moisture in the soil so you don’t create an overwatering issue with your plant.  

Don’t forget to check the pH of whichever soil amendment you choose. The Tradescantia Nanouk thrives in a pH range of 5.0 to 6.5, so it’s more on the acidic side. 

Orchid bark has a pH of no more than 5.0, sand’s pH is 7.0, and perlite’s pH is 7.0 to 7.5. Use a light hand with the latter two amendments especially. 

Best Type of Pot for a Tradescantia Nanouk

To support its well-draining requirements, the Tradescantia Nanouk will be happiest in a glazed ceramic or glazed clay pot. 

On their own, ceramic and clay are way too porous for the Nanouk. These materials would thirstily suck up all the moisture in the pot, causing you to have to water your Tradescantia more often. You already know this sets up conditions for root rot.

A layer of glaze on ceramic or clay reduces the porosity of these materials, but not by a huge margin. When you water your Tradescantia Nanouk, the water will remain in the pot longer than it would with unglazed ceramic or clay, but not so long that it overstays its welcome. 

There are several downsides to selecting heavy pot materials like these. For one, they’re quite fragile, glaze or no glaze. If you drop a clay or ceramic pot, it will likely shatter.

Second, because the Tradescantia Nanouk is a relatively fast grower you’ll need to replace your Nanouk plant’s pot about every 12 to 18 months. 

Tradescantia Nanouk Ideal Temperature and Humidity

The perfect temperature for the Tradescantia Nanouk is around 75 degrees Fahrenheit. By night, it’s okay if the temps decrease to 50 degrees, but no lower than that.

The Nanouk is anything but cold-tolerant. In temps of 54 degrees, the cold is enough to stifle its growth. Temperatures in the 40s can damage this plant. 

You’ll easily be able to tell that’s happened because the green parts of the plant’s foliage will have turned unappealingly yellow. The leaves will also wilt. 

Seedlings will have reduced growth, and germination as a whole will be very poor. In the worst-case scenario, necrosis or tissue cell death can occur. Those leaves are toast and will have to be removed using sterile pruning shears.

You’ll then have to move your Nanouk plant to warmer conditions and carefully monitor it over the days to come. Most plants bounce back from one instance of cold stress easily enough, but don’t make a habit out of it! 

The Tradescantia Nanouk is more heat-tolerant, but I still wouldn’t push its conditions too far past 80 degrees. Sun scalding can occur, which will again affect the appearance of those gorgeous pink or purple-tinged leaves.

Let’s talk humidity. The Tradescantia Nanouk prefers at least 60 percent humidity. That’s 10 degrees over the average relative humidity in a home or office, which is usually between 30 and 50 percent.

You might create humidity through a humidifier. You can even put the Nanouk plant in your bathroom. 

However, the Tradescantia Nanouk has rather thick leaves, so it can tolerate lower degrees of humidity than some other Tradescantia varieties. 

Best Fertilizer for a Tradescantia Nanouk

Tradescantia Nanouk plants grow with such vigor that even if you skipped the fertilizer, you shouldn’t see yours slow down much.

That said, fertilizer is about more than just accelerating growth. You’re also providing your plant with the crucial macronutrients (like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) it needs to sustain itself.

It’s for that reason that I would recommend you fertilize your Nanouk plant. You only have to do this between the spring and summertime. 

Some indoor gardeners fertilize their Tradescantias every two weeks and others monthly. You can decide based on the health of your Nanouk plant which timeframe works better for you.

Regardless, use standard plant fertilizer on Tradescantia Nanouk. Make sure you dilute it to at least half-strength! 

Common Issues with a Tradescantia Nanouk

Next, let’s delve into some common issues you might face as you grow a Tradescantia Nanouk.  

The great thing about owning a Tradescantia Nanouk besides its appeal and status as a great conversation piece is that this plant is mostly pest-resistant. 

That said, its pest resistance is very much dependent on your care of the plant. A weaker houseplant cannot defend itself from pest attacks . 

If there’s one pest that might try to take your Tradescantia Nanouk down, that’d be the spider mite. These mites are one of 1,200 other species. 

Check the underside of your Nanouk plant’s pretty leaves, as that’s where you’re likeliest to see a spider mite infestation.

The trademark webs spider mites weave might be visible there as well.

The spider mite will suck the juices from plant cells until there’s nothing left. Then they’ll move on to another leaf or even another plant. They like plant species in the hundreds, so the spider mite is anything but a picky eater.

What causes spider mites?

Dryness and heat. Getting into a good watering schedule with your Tradescantia Nanouk will prevent dry soil conditions that could invite these unpleasant mites.

To prevent heat, maintain humidity in your home or office at 60 percent. Don’t set the temperatures too high and keep your plant away from direct sun for very long.  

Here’s another piece of good news. The Tradescantia Nanouk doesn’t develop many diseases, mostly fungal infections. These infections are completely preventable.

The biggest fungal infection that your Tradescantia Nanouk might have is root rot. Healthy plant roots require both water and oxygen, so when you choke out one in favor of the other, the roots will die.

How to Treat Root Rot in a Tradescantia Nanouk

If your plant has root rot, I recommend un-potting it and assessing the state of the root ball. You’ll have to trim away every black or brown root you see using clean pruning shears. Disinfect them in bleach or isopropyl alcohol when you’re finished.

Repot your Tradescantia Nanouk in fresh soil and then water it only when its top inch of soil has dried out. If your plant had more healthy roots than unhealthy ones, it might survive. That said, there are no guarantees! 

Tradescantia Nanouk Common Questions

Do you still have some burning questions about the Tradescantia Nanouk? That’s fine, as you know I’ve got answers! 

Is the Tradescantia Nanouk Toxic?

If you have cats and dogs in the house, you might want to reconsider the Tradescantia Nanouk. The Tradescantia Nanouk is toxic to cats and dogs. 

In the stems grows a sap that pets find most upsetting when it enters their digestive tract. Even if they don’t ingest the plant, direct exposure such as a curious cat rubbing on the plant can still be irritating.

The symptoms of Tradescantia poisoning in pets includes fur loss, itchy skin, conjunctivitis, redness, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect your dog or cat ingested or was exposed to the Nanouk plant, contact your vet immediately.  

Can Tradescantia Nanouk Grow in Water?

Yes! You can indeed use water as a growth medium.

It’s especially easy to grow in water when propagating a new Tradescantia Nanouk plant from cuttings.

To get started, select a Nanouk cutting that’s several inches. Then remove any bottom leaves. 

Next, fill a glass with clean water. Insert the cutting, taking care to avoid submerging it to the top. Then wait, monitoring your cutting over the days and weeks to come.

Within several weeks, you should begin to see new growth from the cutting . You’re now well on your way to a full-sized Tradescantia Nanouk!

Share this post with someone else that loves indoor plants!

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Tradescantia Nanouk: Fantasy Venice Plant Care

Table of Contents

• 1 What is a Tradescantia Nanouk?
• 2.1 Temperature
• 2.3 Watering
• 2.5 Fertilizer
• 2.6 Pests & Diseases
• 2.7 Repotting
• 2.8 Tradescantia Nanouk Propagation
• 2.9 Pruning
• 3.1 How do you care for a Tradescantia nanouk?
• 3.2 Is Tradescantia nanouk toxic?
• 3.3 Does Tradescantia Nanouk like the full sun?
• 4 Conclusion
• 5 Other Tradescantia Plants (Wandering Jew plants) to Consider
• 6 References

What is a Tradescantia Nanouk?

Tradescantia nanouk (botanical name: Tradescantia albiflora ‘Nanouk’) is an indoor Wandering Jew plant featuring fuzzy foliage, chunky stems, and an overall sturdy shape.

Commonly known as the “Fantasy Venice Plant,” or Nanouk Spiderwort, this fashionable plant was created in the Netherlands in 2012.

If you’re curious, the US patent the breeders filed is PP29711.

Ultimately, the Nanouk Spiderwort was a creation of a plant breeding program that aimed to develop a smaller and more compact type of Tradescantia that would produce impressive flowers while also providing highly dependable performance.

Fantasy Venice plants feature multi-colored leaves that are green, greyed-green, and light or bold purple.

Another Tradescantia species that the Tradescantia nanouk is usually compared to is the Tradescantia spathacea ‘Tricolor’.

However, the major difference between these two Tradescantia plants is the shape of their leaves.

The Tradescantia nanouk has a more rounded leaf as compared with the Tradescantia tricolor.

The plant reaches a manageable height and width of under 3 to 4 inches.

How to Care for Tradescantia Nanouk

If you’re looking for an easy-care houseplant, Tradescantia nanouk (also known as Fantasy Venice plant) is a great option.

This succulent plant is tolerant to a wide range of conditions, making it a good choice for beginners.

Below are a few tips on how to care for your Tradescantia nanouk:

Temperature

Tradescantia Nanouk should be placed in areas that are warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and less than 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Tradescantia nanouk can grow in a variety of climates, but it is best suited for areas that have a moderate climate.

This is a typical indoor temperature range, thus making this plant ideal for placing inside your home or office.

Along with placing your Tradescantia nanouk near a window, you can also leave it in a steamy bathroom; it can handle a humid environment.

Tradescantia Nanouk likes bright, indirect light.

Placing it near a window where it can be exposed to bright, indirect sunlight is a great way to encourage growth. This will ensure excellent flower production.

You can also place it in full sunlight but be careful that it doesn’t get too much as its leaves may burn.

The most common issues from not exposing your Fantasy Venice plant to enough sunlight are discoloring or fading the leaves and possibly browning the leaf tips.

You may also notice the leaves will be smaller than they should be, and there will be more green on them with less variation of color.

Water Nanouk spiderwort plants once a week or any time the top inch of soil seems to be dry.

Tradescantia nanouk does not require too much water, but be careful not to give them too much water. If your plant starts to look unhealthy, like leaves drooping or wilting, this may be a sign of overwatering and lead to root rot .

Tradescantia Nanouk plants may also be sensitive to certain salts found in tap water.

Therefore, if you start to notice problems like brown tips, it would be best to use distilled or filtered water instead of tap water.

Use well-draining soil for Tradescantia nanouk plants.

To ensure drainage, the potting mix should contain some soil amendment like coarse sand or perlite.

As for the pot you use, make sure the planter or container has a drainage hole at the bottom.

Feed Tradescantia nanouk plants at least once a month.

You can use regular houseplant fertilizer that has been diluted to half the recommended strength.

Be sure to avoid adding too much fertilizer since that can cause browning of the leaf tips. The soil should always be damp before you add fertilizer.

Be sure to follow the directions on the amount of fertilizer to add and create a schedule to go by to avoid causing any issues with your plant.

Pests & Diseases

Pests and diseases that affect Tradescantia nanouk plants are usually caused by overwatering.

Overwatering will cause issues like root rot and various fungal infections. These conditions attract insects and diseases because they are a perfect breeding ground for them.

So, be sure to check if the soil is wet or soggy, and if so, allow the soil to dry completely before watering it again.

On the other hand, a dried-out Tradescantia nanouk may attract pests such as spider mites.

To avoid this issue, you should increase the humidity level in the room by using a humidifier, setting your planter on a pebble tray, or moving your plant into a highly humid area like the bathroom.

However, if you do end up seeing spider mites on our Fantasy Venice plants, you should shower your tradescantia nanouk with fresh water.

Then create a 50/50 spray mist of water and isopropyl alcohol and spray your plant several times to kill off the spider mites and their eggs.

If that doesn’t work, use an insecticide or neem oil spray .

The best time to repot and transplant your Nanouk Spiderwort plant is during the growing season, which runs from spring through fall.

To repot your tradescantia nanouk plant, you first need to remove it from the original container and add soil to the new container.

The new container should be 1 to 2 inches larger than the previous one.

Check the plant’s root ball to see if it needs to be repotted at this time. This is a rapid-growing plant, so you may need to repot it much sooner than you think.

Once you have repotted the plant, it should be content for a year or longer before it needs to be repotted again.

Lastly, you’ll want to make sure the pot has drainage holes to mitigate overwatering issues.

Tradescantia Nanouk Propagation

Propagate Tradscantia Nanouk plants by stem cuttings.

You’ll want to start by cutting the plant’s stems to get some stem cuttings. To do this, make cuts to the stem, but always cut below the node on a stem that has several leaves.

Remove any lower leaves and leave a few inches of the bare stem behind the plant’s parent.

You can propagate this plant in water or place it directly in the soil.

You will notice root growth within a week or so. Let the new plants grow for about another two weeks before transplanting them into their own pots.

You can keep your Tradescantia Nanouk healthy by pruning it back to encourage the plant to look fuller and less thin.

Tradescantia Nanouk is naturally a small and compact plant, but it is known to sprawl out and wander.

Hence some pruning is required to maintain the look of the plant.

Trim off all the leggy ends and place them back into the soil at the center of the container. You can use these cuttings to propagate more plants.

How do you care for a Tradescantia nanouk?

The Tradescantia nanouk is a simple houseplant that requires little maintenance. Keep in bright and indirect sunlight or full sun to encourage growth. Water it either once a week or when the soil is noticeably dry. These are fast-growing plants, but after you repot it the first time, it will usually take a year or so before you need to repot it again.

Is Tradescantia nanouk toxic?

The sap of the tradescantia plant can irritate your skin and may cause gastric issues if it is ingested. Be sure to wear gloves when transplanting your plant or trimming to avoid contamination.

Does Tradescantia Nanouk like the full sun?

Yes, the Tradescantia nanouk thrives in bright indirect light. They require a lot of sunlight, and if they do not get it, you may begin to notice the leaves browning or fading.

The Tradescantia nanouk may be the very best houseplant out there.

If you are new to owning plants or looking for something that requires very little maintenance and upkeep, this is the ideal plant for you.

It is small and compact in size to not take over your living room or office.

Note, that the Tradescantia nanouk has also been used as ground cover in landscaping.

But just because it’s low maintenance doesn’t mean the tradescantia isn’t a houseplant to admire.

With its beautiful green leaves and various hues of purple, this small houseplant is sure to become a favorite among all the plants in your collection.

Other Tradescantia Plants (Wandering Jew plants) to Consider

If you’re looking for a houseplant or some landscaping plants, there are other varieties of Tradescantia to consider. Wandering Jew plants make a great choice indoors as houseplants or outdoors as groundcovers. Other types of Tradescantia plants to consider are listed below.

• Tradescantia Fluminensis
• Tradescantia Pallida (Purple Heart)
• Tradescantia Sillamontana (White Velvet)
• Tradescantia Spathacea (Boat Lily)
• Tradescantia Virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort)
• Tradescantia Zebrina (Spiderwort)

Other related posts on Tradescantia plants:

• How to Care for Tradescantia (Wandering Jew) Plants
• How to Grow Wandering Jew Plant Outside as Ground Cover
• Wandering Jew Plant Toxic? Are Wandering Jew Plants Safe for Pets?
• RZR5355. (2018). Tradescantia: Wonderful Wanderers. Urbane Jungle. Penn State University. URL: https://sites.psu.edu/forloveofchlorophyll/2018/02/07/tradescantia-wonderful-wanderers/
• Perry, L. (n.d.). Tradescantia. The Green Mountain Gardner. University of Vermont Extension, Department of Plant and Soil Science. URL: https://pss.uvm.edu/pss123/pertrad.html
• About/mentions: Tradescantia albiflora , Tradescantia

Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.

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• House & Home
• Houseplants

Wandering Jew Plant Care: Complete Growing Guide for Tradescantia Zebrina (Inch Plant)

Tradescantia zebrina (commonly known as wandering Jew, spiderwort, or inch plant) is popular for a reason: This beginner-friendly houseplant is low-maintenance and grows quickly. It’s also super easy to propagate more plants so you can fill your home with more of the colorful striped foliage the species is known for.

Written by Linda Ly

When it comes to vigorous, colorful, and easy-to-grow hanging houseplants, there aren’t many that can compare to Tradescantia zebrina (known more commonly as wandering Jew—and I’ll touch on the history of that name below). Whether you’re a houseplant beginner or a veteran, most indoor gardeners have owned one of these potted plants at some point. 

Keep reading for everything you need to know about Tradescantia zebrina and growing this stunning houseplant in your own home.

Disclosure: If you shop from my article or make a purchase through one of my links, I may receive commissions on some of the products I recommend.

About inch plants

Natural habitat.

Tradescantia zebrina is a native of Central and South America, from Mexico down to Colombia, as well as the Caribbean. Here, it forms part of the undergrowth in lightly forested and often very moist areas. It can form very dense, wide mats thanks to its creeping growth pattern and ability to throw roots extremely quickly.

Unfortunately, its vigorous growth has also made Tradescantia zebrina an invasive plant in some regions. This includes Hawaii, Brazil, and Australia, where the species easily takes hold in moist, forested areas.

As a 2019 study carried out in the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest notes, this is problematic due to the species choking out native plants.

Some of the above was caused by careless gardeners allowing bits of the plant to get into the wild, where they quickly root. If you’d like to grow spiderworts like this one in your garden, please make sure to dispose properly of any trimmings left after pruning!

This also applies to zebrina’s popular cousins, like Tradescantia fluminensis, T. pallida, and T. spathacea.

Description

It’s not difficult to see why Tradescantia zebrina gained popularity as a houseplant. Wandering spiderwort plants (not to be confused with spider plants , another beginner-friendly species) are low-maintenance and grow just about anywhere—they even just grow in water !

Easy care and quick growth aside, spiderworts are also just good-looking plants. The pointed, oval leaves on thin, fleshy stems overlap slightly and are characterized by their zebra pattern in purple and silvery green. The leaf undersides are deep purple in color and the tiny, three-petaled flowers are bright pink.

Although this species is naturally a creeping plant, it’s often grown indoors in hanging planters. As long as the plant is provided with enough light, the foliage will be very dense and brightly colored, forming a spectacular waterfall that can reach more than 3 feet in length.

What’s in a name? In the case of common houseplants, sometimes a lot.

Tradescantia zebrina is a classic houseplant (I found mention of it in a 1964 German book about houseplants, but it’s probably been around longer than that!) and among most English speakers, it has long been known as wandering Jew. This is probably a reference to the “wandering” nature of the plant, as it does have a creeping growth pattern.

The legend of the wandering Jew is hundreds of years old and is now commonly considered to be rooted in antisemitism. It describes a Jewish man cursed to walk the planet until the Second Coming because he taunted Jesus on his way to the cross.

Because of this, the plant name has partly fallen out of fashion and has been the source of much debate in the plant world over the past few years. 

Some plant enthusiasts have embraced the alternative “wandering dude,” which I personally think is a great option.

“Inch plant” (houseplant enthusiasts don’t agree on whether this refers to the fact that it can grow an inch a day, or that you only need an inch of stem to propagate it), “spiderwort,” or “wandering spiderwort” are also popular alternatives, though these are common names for other Tradescantia varieties, such as Tradescantia Nanouk.

The best way to avoid any confusion is to just stick to the scientific name.

Inch plant varieties

There are three subspecies of inch plant (wandering Jew): Tradescantia zebrina var. zebrina, var. flocculosa, and var. mollipila. Unsurprisingly, after it having been a popular houseplant for so many years, nurseries have also managed to create a whole bunch of cultivars through selective cultivation.

A few of the popular Tradescantia zebrina cultivars you may come across in your local plant store include, but are certainly not limited to:

• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Quadricolor’: Yep, as the name suggests, this one adds an extra color to the mix. The leaves are cream, pink-purple, light green, and dark green.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Burgundy’: Characterized by its very dark purple coloration.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Silver Plus’: Less purple, more shiny silver.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Red Gem’: Less silver, more intense (light) purple.
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Purple Joy’: Less silver, more dark purple. 
• Tradescantia zebrina ‘Tikal’: A rare, naturally occurring variety that collectors pay a pretty penny for.

Do keep in mind that most of these cultivars aren’t patented and the amount of mislabeling and variation within a cultivar are both huge. Just growing your wandering Jew in lower-light conditions can completely change the way it looks, so it’s not surprising that confusion sometimes reigns supreme.

Luckily, care is the same across all cultivars, so your best bet is to just enjoy your plant even if you’re not sure what Tradescantia variety you’re dealing with!

Where to buy wandering Jew plants:

• California Tropicals
• Daylily Nursery
• The Green Escape

Caring for an inch plant

Light and temperature.

It’s important to provide your Tradescantia zebrina with enough light. It’s tempting to use plants to brighten up dark, shaded spots in your home, but that just doesn’t work with this one: It loses its dense growth pattern and beautiful coloration in low light.

To prevent your wandering dude plant from growing sparse and green, place it near a window that gets bright indirect light. Some full sun isn’t a problem either, but do make sure you acclimate it gradually to a higher light location.

Temperature-wise, this species is a lot hardier than many of the tender tropicals we like to grow in our homes (like Anthurium andraeanum and Begonia maculata ).

Wandering dude plants can handle a very wide range of temps, making it perfect for those chillier windowsills that your other plants may not appreciate. Room temperature is ideal, but anything between 50°F to 85°F will keep them happy.

Water and humidity

Your Tradescantia zebrina will appreciate lightly moist soil. You can water a bit more during the summer months, when the plant is actively growing and needs a lot of moisture, and less during winter, when soil tends to take significantly longer to dry. 

If you’re not sure whether it’s time to water your wandering Jew plant yet, you can always turn to the age-old trick of sticking a finger in the soil.

• If it still feels damp, wait a little longer, until the first inch or two has dried. 
• If it feels bone dry, you’ve waited too long; you may also see limp leaves on your plant at this point. It’ll bounce back, but not always without lasting damage. 
• If the soil feels wet, you watered too much and need to keep an eye out for root rot.

As for humidity, given its rather wet natural habitat, wandering Jew does appreciate higher air moisture levels. The great thing is, though, that it doesn’t demand it. As long as you keep its soil lightly moist and the air isn’t extremely dry, your plant should do well.

Soil and planting

Wandering Jew is not fussy about its potting mixture at all. I’ve grown it in pure houseplant potting soil with no additives. If you do want to take things to the next level, you can add some perlite and/or peat moss, although this is really not a must. 

Most houseplant enthusiasts like to place their wandering Jew in a hanging planter so they can enjoy the look of the leaves cascading down. This is not a must, though. You can also emphasize the species’ creeping growth habit by filling up a large, shallow planter, growing it in a terrarium, or even keeping it in water on a semi-permanent basis.

Recommended products for wandering Jew plant care:

• FoxFarm Ocean Forest Potting Soil
• Espoma Organic Potting Mix
• Perfect Plants Organic Perlite

Fertilizing

Like most other houseplants, Tradescantia zebrina appreciates a bit of fertilizer during the growing season, which extends from spring to early fall. You can use a normal houseplant fertilizer according to the instructions on the bottle.

Don’t fertilize during the winter months unless your plant is growing well. It doesn’t need extra nutrients if it’s inactive.

Recommended fertilizers for wandering Jew plants:

• Houseplant Resource Center Liquid Fertilizer for Houseplants
• Instant Biologics Instant Plant Food (Fizzing Nutrient Tablets)
• Maxsea All-Purpose Seaweed Plant Food

Pruning 

There’s a good chance you’ll have to prune your Tradescantia zebrina regularly, because as I mentioned, this is a very quick grower. It also roots very easily, so any trimmings can be replanted! I’ll describe how to do this in the section on propagation below.

Aside from stem trimming, you can remove any dead leaves, which are bound to pop up from time to time in very dense plants like this species.

Dividing or repotting

Inch plants don’t grow by producing plantlets at their base like many other houseplants (such as spider plants ) do. Instead, inch plants spread by rooting along the stems.

This means that division is not really the way to go; keeping these plants manageable is usually done through pruning. You can shape your plant by pinching off any long, leggy stems to create a fuller appearance and control its spread.

You’ll notice that Tradescantia really doesn’t mind being a bit cramped in its planter. Still, it’s a good idea to provide your plant with some fresh soil every year or two by repotting it.

Propagating an inch plant

If you’ve never propagated a houseplant before, this is truly one of the best species to start with. It’s known for rooting extremely quickly in both water and soil, meaning it’s easy to fill endless planters to keep or give away.

All you need to propagate your Tradescantia zebrina is a pair of clean scissors. Here’s how you do it:

• Snip the ends off existing branches. An inch or two with a few leaves works best.
• Remove the leaves at the bottom so part of the stem is exposed.
• Place the cutting in a glass of water to root or plant it directly in soil. You can put cuttings back in the mother plant’s pot to give her a fuller appearance on top.
• It can take a little longer during the winter months, but the first roots should appear within a week or so. You can give soil cuttings a slight tug to verify they’ve rooted.
• Once the first signs of new foliage appear, you’ll know your propagation attempt has been a success! 
• If you propagated in water, you can leave the rooted cuttings in water almost indefinitely, although you can also pot them up in fresh soil.

Common questions about inch plant care

How do i make a wandering jew plant bushy.

By their very nature, wandering Jew plants are not bushy. Their creeping growth habit means they naturally grow leggy over time, especially in containers.

However, you can mimic a fuller appearance by strategically pinching off any long, spindly stems to shape the plant more. These stems can also be replanted near the mother plant.

As the baby plants grow, they’ll help fill in sparse areas and create the illusion of a bushy wandering Jew.

How long do wandering Jew plants live?

Wandering Jew plants have a limited lifespan of just a few years, and as a potted plant, you’ll notice your wandering Jew becoming very leggy after just two to three years.

Unlike other fast-growing plants that benefit from pruning, cutting back a wandering Jew doesn’t work well to renew its growth; it simply controls the spread.

The best way to keep your plant coming back year after year is to propagate new plants from stem cuttings, which—fortunately—is super easy with a high success rate.

Is wandering Jew perennial?

Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) is a trailing evergreen perennial in its native habitat (USDA hardiness zones 9 through 12). Where it’s not winter hardy, wandering Jew is grown year-round as a houseplant.

Are wandering Jew plants toxic to cats and dogs?

Wandering Jew is not considered outright toxic, but it can cause some skin irritation. If your pet gets into your plant, don’t worry too much, although it can be a good idea to have a look in its mouth to make sure there’s no excessive swelling. Be sure to offer water. To prevent skin rash, it can be a good idea to wear gloves if you need to handle your wandering Jew plant. This especially applies if you have sensitive skin.

https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/110354

Racism in Taxonomy: What’s in a Name?

Chiba de Castro, W. A., Xavier, R. O., Garrido, F. H., Romero, J. H., Peres, C. K., & da Luz, R. C. (2019). Fraying around the edges: negative effects of the invasive Tradescantia zebrina Hort. ex Bosse (Commelinaceae) on tree regeneration in the Atlantic Forest under different competitive and environmental conditions. Journal of Plant Ecology, 12(4), 713-721.

Encke, F. (1964). Pflanzen fur Zimmer und Balkon; Auswahl, Pflege, Vermehrung.

I'm a plant lover, passionate road-tripper, and cookbook author whose expert advice and bestselling books have been featured in Time, Outside, HGTV, and Food & Wine. The National Parks Cookbook is my latest book. Garden Betty is where I write about modern homesteading, farm-to-table cooking, and outdoor adventuring—all that encompass a life well-lived outdoors. After all, the secret to a good life is... Read more »

We bought a full grown Bolivian Jewel mid summer last year. It was in a 14” raised pot and flowing 2 foot over the sides. It was beautiful next to our fountain outside. We live in Minnesota so we had to discard it in the late fall since we had no place to care for it in the house. Since we can’t find another like it we’d like to plant one from scratch but how. We still have the pot and riser but have no idea how to start from that. One plant, a few or just how many to make a bushy over grown plant so it looks like the one we purchased last year. Does this make sense or should we just forget it since it is already the middle of May. The greenhouse that we bought it from last summer doesn’t have any this year, just small ones in 4” pots. Thanks

If you can only grow it as an annual (and won’t be overwintering it indoors), you can plant a few smaller ones together to make them look fuller as they grow.

It seems counterproductive to talk about the problematic origin of the name wandering Jew, recommend multiple alternative names (including scientific), but then continue to call it wandering Jew in the rest of the article. If the name is anti-Semitic just set a good example and use a different name.

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How to Grow and Care for a Wandering Dude Plant

Here’s how to care for this pretty trailing plant.

Country Living editors select each product featured. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Why Trust Us?

With its long dangling stems, this plant tends to “wander” all over the place. Today, the plant often is called by its botanical name, Tradescantia, with “zebrina” referring to its silver striping.

It’s sometimes also called silver inch plant, but it can be confused with another plant, commonly called inch plant, Tradescantia fluminensis , which has solid green foliage.

Other varieties of wandering dude have become widely available in recent years, including the very popular nanouk type, which has foliage with pretty pinkish stripes and magenta undersides.

Native to Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras, the wandering dude usually is grown as a houseplant, but in USDA Hardiness zones 9 to 11 , it can be grown as a low-growing ground cover, too. ( Find your zone here .)

Read more: 15 Common Houseplants to Grow and Brighten Up Your Home

Ahead, learn everything you need to know about how to care for a wandering dude plant:

Wandering Dude Basic Info:

• Common Name: Wandering dude
• Botanical Name: Tradescantia zebrina
• Plant Family: Commelinaceae
• Type of Plant: Perennial, grown as houseplant
• Native Origin: Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Mature Size: 6 inches tall by 1 foot wide
• Toxic to pets: Yes

Why Trust Us

I'm a garden writer with more than 15 years of experience growing houseplants, edibles, and landscape plantings. I also regularly trial new plant cultivars for performance and reliability, and test garden products to evaluate practicality and durability.

How Do You Care For a Wandering Dude Plant?

Give wandering dude bright, indirect light. If it doesn’t get sufficient light, this plant tends to get gangly and unattractive. Its purple coloring also may fade in low light, which means you should move it to a more brightly-lit room or use a grow light.

If your wandering dude is starting to get scraggly, simply snip off a few inches from the end of each stem to help stimulate the plant to push new, bushy growth. You can use plant snips or your fingers. You may need to pinch back frequently because wandering dude is a fast grower.

How Do You Water a Wandering Dude Plant?

You should water only when the plant feels mostly dry. Poke your finger in the soil before watering; if soil clings to your finger, wait a few more days and recheck.

If you let it get too soggy, that’s a sure way for it to get mushy and die. Like most houseplants, it’s better to err on the side of too dry, rather than too wet.

If you like, you can feed this plant with any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer, but it’s not entirely necessary.

Miracle-Gro Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food, 3 lb

Can You Grow Wandering Dude Plant Outdoors?

Yes, it makes a great trailing plant spilling out of containers! Pair it with tall plants such as hibiscus, canna, elephant ears, or other tall, upright tropicals. If it starts to get leggy, just trim it back. Outdoors, it does best in full sun (northern climates) to part shade (southern climates). It may develop tiny pinkish flowers outdoors, though it rarely flowers indoors.

How Do You Propagate a Wandering Dude Plant?

Like pothos , this is a great plant to propagate to share with friends or to make new plants for yourself. Simply take a cutting, say, if it’s getting too long, then place it in a glass of water to root. Keep it in a bright spot in your home (not direct sunlight), and watch for roots to develop within about two weeks. Then plant in regular potting soil, and keep the soil lightly moist while it settles in.

Is Wandering Dude Toxic to Pets?

According to the ASPCA , this plant is toxic to pets and may cause dermatitis, or irritation of the lips and mouth. But remember that any plant may cause vomiting or GI distress if eaten in large enough quantities, so keep this away from pets who are nibblers. Finally, call your vet ASAP if you suspect your pet has ingested it, even if you’re not sure. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

In addition, the plant sap also may cause skin irritation in some people. Wear gloves when handling cuttings if you tend to have sensitive skin.

Read more: 28 Pet- Friendly Houseplants You Can Grow Without Worry

Vigoro Tradescantia in 11-inch Hanging Basket

Rooted Tradescantia Nanouk, 4-inch pot

BubbleBlooms Wandering Dude Assortment

Wayfair Tradescantia Nanouk, 4-inch pot

Arricca Elin SanSone has written about health and lifestyle topics for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, and more. She’s passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.

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Tradescantia Tricolor Care From A to Z

By: Author Daniel

Posted on Last updated: July 15, 2021

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(image credits, IG: oohyouplantsy )

I have a hide-away in my home that I escape to for some me-time. It is ultra-feminine and all done out in pink.

When I saw this stunning pink Tradescantia Tricolor plant at the nursery, I just had to have it! It offers the most glorious shades of pink transforming into a darker purple, interspersed with green. 

Like all plants, the Tradescantia Tricolor has a difficult Latin Name. This one is Tradescantia fluminensis.

It is also known by other names including the Wandering Jew , Flowering Inch Plant, Wandering Willie, Wandering Gypsy, Purple Queen, Spiderwort, and Tradescantia.

What’s more, Tradescantia is a genus of 75 species of wildflowers. The name comes from John Tradescant, a botanist who lived during the 17th century.

The ‘wandering’ word refers to the fact that it spreads easily, wandering all over your window sill. They are very easy to grow at home. Most are native to South America where they grow as dense mats underneath forest trees. 

To enhance the glorious pink shades, I place my Tradescantia Tricolor next to a Mosaic Plant , Fittonia albivenis. This is a trailing plant with deep pink veins in the green leaves. They make a great pair. 

Let’s take a closer look at how to care for your Tradescantia fluminensis .

Table of Contents

Tradescantia Tricolor Care

For ideal Tradescantia Tricolor care, give it well-draining soil that will partially dry out between waterings. Fertilize with a good mix of peat, compost, mulch or humus, bark, pumice, or perlite. It thrives best in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Temperatures should not drop below 50°F (10° C). The  Tradescantia Tricolor wants bright light but not direct sunlight. Placing it near to a south-facing window is ideal. 

Tradescantia fluminensis enjoys moist soil to thrive best. However, it must not be drenched or allowed to dry out completely.

Plant it in well-draining sandy soil. You can achieve this by mixing perlite into regular potting soil. Use a mix of 40% perlite and 60% potting soil.

Ensure that your pot has drainage holes at the bottom. This allows the excess water to run out and won’t cause the roots to become waterlogged and drown. 

For ideal Tradescantia Tricolor care, I use natural organic additives. Including everyday materials like pumice or crushed bark, sterile garden compost, mulch, or organic manure gives you a rich, fertile soil that makes your Wandering Jew flourish.

Adding in some environmentally friendly coco Husk chips is a great way to introduce extra aeration into the soil. The Tradescantia Tricolor is not fussy about PH levels, try to maintain a neutral PH of around 7.0. 

Tradescantia Tricolor does best in bright conditions with indirect sunlight. Allowing direct sunlight to fall onto the plant for too long causes the leaves to scorch.

Too little sunlight results in the leaves fading and not producing those lovely pinky shades. 

Try to place your plant about 3 feet away from a south-facing window (if you are in the northern hemisphere), on a side table or high shelf. In this way, it gets the benefit of bright light but not direct sunlight. In general, 45 minutes of direct sunlight will be enough. 

If you do need to stand it on a window sill, try to place a sun filter over the window. You can also use your décor skills and get it to nestle under another plant with large leaves, creating a natural umbrella.

If you prefer to plant your Tradescantia Tricolor outdoors, find a spot that gets bright light and limited direct sunlight. 

Care tip for Tradescantia Tricolor: If your plant does not show healthy signs of variegated growth, ie, it is not displaying lovely different pink colors, it is probably getting too little light. 

When it comes to watering care for your Tradescantia Tricolor, it is best to keep the soil moist. You need a balance between drenched and bone dry.

Watering once a week during the summer months is adequate. In winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks.

Because you are not drenching this plant, you should not create too much of a mess indoors. Place a plant saucer under your pot that is large enough to catch any water that may flow out.

When watering in winter, use lukewarm water, no plant responds well to an icy blast! I do notice that my Wandering Jew can get to the point of looking almost droopy. Then a good watering brings it back to life within 24 hours. 

Tradescantia Tricolor care tip: You can also water from the bottom. This technique involves placing your pot into a tub or sink filled with a few inches of water. The drainage holes in your planter allow the water to slowly absorb into the soil without over-saturating it. 

Temperature

Tradescantia species perform best at temperatures ranging from 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). They can, if necessary, withstand higher temperatures. If the temperature drops below 50°F (10° C), the leaves will suffer. 

It will tolerate short-term exposure to cold weather but generally does not do well in the cold. If you live in a cold climate, consider growing your outdoor Tradescantia Tricolor in a container.

You can then bring it indoors during the winter months. All species of Tradescantia are Winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 12. 

Coming from South America, the plant does not require tropical temperatures to thrive. It is quite hardy, and as long as it is not exposed to frost you should be fine. It can even stand on a chillier window sill.

Your Tradescantia Tricolor is not overly fussy about humidity. It is not a desert plant nor a tropical plant, so the average house humidity of 30% to 45% found in a home should do fine.

In winter, running heaters and air-conditioners can dry out the air and change the humidity, so you will need to be aware of this. 

If the humidity in your home is too high, at over 50%, this could result in the growth of mold and bacteria and will give your living space a musty smell. Installing a dehumidifier will help to solve the problem. 

Tradescantia Tricolor care tip: I find that my plant responds well to a lovely soft shower from a watering can.

Although this does not increase humidity, it acts as a natural rain shower, wetting all the leaves and washing away dust and pests.

Make sure you do this outside and allow the plant to dry off before moving it back indoors. 

Fertilizer 

The Inch Plant loves to wander and grows fairly fast, spreading over window sills indoors and rocks outdoors. It does not require a serious fertilizing program.

Like many potted indoor plants, Tradescantia fluminensis does well with some extra fertilizer during the growing months of Spring through early fall.

I am a great supporter of eco-friendly living and that also applies to the plant fertilizers I use. I stay away from chemical fertilizers whenever possible.

My number one care hack for Tradescantia fluminensis is to buy or make my own natural organic fertilizer. If you have a liquid fertilizer, dilute it, and use it once a month. 

Fertilizing plants outside of the growing season is not good. The fertilizer can end up harming the plant by burning the roots. 

Natural organic fertilizers can be made using peat, pumice, perlite, mulch, coco husks, and crushed bark. A small compost making kit is a fun addition to any garden and makes good use of fallen leaves, dead flowers, and grass cuttings. 

Propagation

The easy-to-grow Inch Plant is also easy to propagate. This can be done by simply snipping off a healthy stem, placing it into rich, moist soil, and watering from time to time.

You can also put the stem cutting into a tall vase of water and allow it to grow roots. Place the vase in a bright spot and keep an eye on it.

Roots will appear within a week. Remove the cutting and plant into your terracotta pot or unglazed planter. 

Propagating your own house plants is a fun and rewarding experience, give it a try! 

Tradescantia Tricolor gets its Wandering’ name because it loves to wander. It grows fairly fast and spreads over the edge of pots, along window sills, and over rocks. It also looks great as a ground cover next to pathways and walkways in a garden. 

It has beautiful variegated pink shades, that darken to purple and are interspersed with green. The stems and leaves are soft and hairless.

The leaves are an oval shape with pointed tips. They are shiny and smooth and grow to about 1.25 to 2.5 inches (32 to 64mm) long.

The flowers are white and have 3 petals, about 0.5 to 1 inch (13 to 25mm) in diameter. The flowers appear in Summer in small clusters. 

The best Wandering Jew growing condition is in a bright spot with indirect sunlight and average humidity.

This plant is a ground cover perennial. It does not require heavy pruning, but if it sprawls too much and becomes straggly, you should trim it back to keep it in shape. 

Tradescantia fluminensis care tip: If your plant is producing only green leaves, your light conditions are not ideal.

It does this to conserve energy, as creating variegated leaves uses up more energy. Prune back the green leaves, allow it to recover and produce those glorious pink shades. 

Tradescantia fluminensis is not fussy when it comes to pot size. It will thrive in a small pot for years and will grow happily in a large pot.  

If you do want to repot your Inch Plant, Springtime is the best season to do this. Repot into a mix of fresh soil and perlite to boost growth.

You can add some gritty sand to the potting mix to enhance drainage. Water well but do not drench. Check that the PH of the soil is neutral at around 7.0. 

Care tip: Ensure that your planter has drainage holes so that the water can flow out. You don’t want the roots to rot in stagnant water at the base of the pot. 

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Propagate Tradescantia Tricolor from cuttings

– This is best done in early Spring to late Summer, during the growing period

– Use a sterile sharp knife, scissors, or cutter

– Wear gloves as the sap can irritate the skin

– Select a stem that looks healthy and has a few sets of leaves

– Carefully cut off the stem at the base, where it joins another stem

– Remove the lower leaves by snipping off to leave a clean stem at the base

– You now have 2 options: propagate in soil or propagate in water

Propagating the cuttings in soil

– Prepare a pot with a mix of soil, gritty sand, and organic fertilizer

– Water well but don’t drench

– Push your finger into the soil and create a hole about 2 inches deep

– Place the offcut into the soil and pack the soil back to hold it firm

– Place the planter where it will get bright light but not direct sunlight

– Water well for the next few weeks

Propagating the cuttings in water

– Fill a clear vase, tall glass, or container with water

– Place the cutting into the water

– Keep it shallow enough so that the leafy section is above the waterline

– A slender glass works well as the leaves will balance on the top rim

– Fine roots will start showing in about 1 to 2 weeks

– Wait for the roots to grow to 1 to 2 inches long

– Plant into a pot as described above

Common problems with Tradescantia Tricolor

Pest control.

Like all plants, your Tradescantia Tricolor can be attacked by pests. Common pests that affect the Wandering Jew are spider mites and aphids .

An easy way to get rid of them is to give your plant a good shower and wash them off. If they persist, you can spray with a solution of insecticidal soap. 

Tradescantia Tricolor care tip for pests: Make your own insecticidal soap. Use all-natural soap, not detergent.

Mix 5 tablespoons to 1 gallon of cooled, boiled water. Add in 1 teaspoon of vinegar and 1 teaspoon  vegetable oil to get the solution to stick. You can also add a teaspoon of garlic. Pour into a clean garden sprayer that has a fine spray setting and spray the plant.

Leaves don’t have variegated colors

If you notice that your Tradescantia Tricolor is only producing green leaves, this is due to bad lighting. Bad lighting reduces the energy of the plant.

To create the gorgeous colors, it needs energy, so it will conserve energy and only create green leaves. 

Leaves look scorched 

If your leaves are turning brown or look scorched, your plant is getting too much direct sunlight. Move it to a more suitable position, or protect it with sunscreen if possible. 

Plant looks scraggly and untidy

Tradescantia Tricolor grows fast and spreads. You need to keep it in shape by trimming now and then. Remove any dead stems and leaves. Trim back into the neat shape you want. 

Rotting roots 

This is a sign of too much water. Tradescantia Tricolor does not enjoy drenched soil. Ensure that your container has drainage holes and allow the soil to partially dry out. 

Tips to grow Tradescantia Tricolor problem-free

– Avoid overwatering your Tradescantia Tricolor 

– Keep soil moist but well-drained

– Ensure that your plant is in a bright spot, it does not enjoy the dark

– Do not place in direct sunlight 

– Does not enjoy very dry or very humid conditions 

– Fertilize during the growing season with organic mixtures

– Trim from time to time if it becomes scraggly

Frequently asked questions about Tradescantia Tricolor 

Is tradescantia tricolor considered invasive .

In some countries, Tradescantia Tricolor is invasive. This is because it spreads fast outdoors and can become invasive. It grows as thick mats in forest areas, blocking out the light for other ground plants. 

Can Tradescantia Tricolor grow indoors? 

Yes, it makes a very attractive indoor plant in a decorative pot. It looks fabulous in a hanging basket, or on a high shelf where you can let the long stems flow downwards. 

Is Tradescantia Tricolor easy to care for?

Yes, this is a great plant for beginners. It requires very little maintenance and is hardy and strong. You don’t want to be discouraged by losing your first plant. The Tradescantia Tricolor will flourish in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. 

Is Tradescantia Tricolor poisonous?

Do you want a glorious plant with pink tones? The Wandering Jew is eye-catching and easy to care for. It is a great choice for a beginner to create a focal point in a room or on a patio, in a hanging basket. 

Once you are successful in growing your Tradescantia Tricolor, you can add other Tradescantia plants to your collection. Take a look at the lovely Tradescantia occidentalis, Tradescantia zebrina, and the Tradescantia pallida.

Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.

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8 Types of Wandering Jew Plants+Care Tips

2-Minute Read

When it comes to versatility, there’s none like the adaptable wandering jews check all different types of wandering jew plants in this detailed article.

Wandering Jew Plant comprises various species in the Tradescantia genus. As the plant is adaptable to both indoor and outdoor conditions, it doesn’t matter if you are planning to have it as ground cover, in hanging baskets, or in containers; it’ll do equally well! Also, d o you know you can grow wandering jew in the complete shade, as well as in full sunlight? In full sun, it looks more colorful. Whereas, shade gives its leaves a greenish hue. Here are the Types of Wandering Jew Plants you should consider growing!

Have a look at the plants you can start with just one cutting and a glass of water here

1. tradescantia fluminensis.

It’s a popular indoor houseplant, which is also used as ground cover. Its white flowers are triangular and formed by three petals and look glorious attached to fleshy stems with oval-shaped leaves that are glossy and deep green.

Check out our article on colorful houseplants here !  

2. tradescantia zebrina.

The variegated leaves resemble the stripes of the zebra, hence the name! The purplish-green foliage has a silver outer edge and white stripes running down lengthwise. It grows low to a height of 6-12 inches, and that’s why it can be grown as ground cover. It is one of the best types of wandering jew plants on the list.

3. Tradescantia pallida

It also goes by the name “Purple Heart” and is native to Mexico. Deep purple foliage, adorned with light purplish-pink flowers, looks marvelous and is the reason that it’s one of the most popular types of wandering jew plants! Apart from growing it as a striking ground cover, you can also have it in hanging baskets.

To know about more purple houseplants, click here !  

4. tradescantia blossfeldiana.

Commonly known as the ‘Inch plant,’ it’s also referred to as Tradescantia cerinthoidebs . The thick green leaves have a fuzzy texture and a purple hue on the underside. You can easily propagate it from the cuttings, both in soil and water, once it gets growing. It bears delightful clusters of blue, purple, white, or rose pink flowers, making it one of the best types of wandering jew plants on the list.

5. Tradescantia Sillamontana

If precise geometric patterns are your thing, then you’ll love it because of its foliage. Growing from a thick succulent stem, the leaves are around two inches long and covered entirely in white hair. Magneta flower protrudes from the terminal end of the stem in summers.

6. Tradescantia spathacea

Known as Moses-in-a-basket, Oyster plant, or Boat lily, it is a sub-succulent herb from southern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize. It grows in 6-12 inches long rosette and sword-like, narrow, and spiral-shaped dark green leaves, with purple bottom sides. The white flowers are enclosed with boat-like purple bracts, hence the name.

7. Tradescantia virginiana

Commonly known as the spider lily, it is a herbaceous perennial from the Commelinaceae family. The plant produces violet-purple to blue, three-petaled flowers, with yellow stamens and dark green arching leaves. You can grow this one of the most popular types of wandering jew plants under full to partial shade.

8. Tradescantia longipes

Adorn your garden by growing beautiful, purple-blue flowers of tradescantia longipes or spiderwort. It is native to Southern Missouri and northern Arkansas from the family Commelinaceae. Grow these three-petaled flowers for rock or naturalize gardens, in partial shade, by using well-drained, moist, acidic soil, making it one of the most popular types of wandering jew plants on the list!

Check out our article on indoor rock garden ideas here ! 

Wandering jew plant care tips.

• Grow a wandering jew plant in bright, indirect light or expose it to full sun, which it won’t mind either. Just keep in mind that low light can fade the markings on leaves.
• Water the plant directly around the roots, avoiding the crown, as it can result in rot.
• The plant prefers slightly moist soil, so maintain the right watering schedule.
• Use an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer, once a month, during the growing period.

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dO YOU NEED TO BRING A POTTED PLANT INDOORS DURING THE WINTER MONTHS?

Depends on the plant and where you live. Do research on the specific plant.

Sooooo number 4…. Is not a blossefeldiana. It’s a flumensis. …. You posted a tri-color-mundula variegata……. Not a nanouk. A nanouk is a blossefeldiana centerthoides

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Tradescantia Nanouk

Tradescantia albiflora 'nanouk'.

The Pink Wandering Jew plant is a flowering house plant known for its vibrantly variegated pinkish-purple and lime green foliage. Give it indirect sun and watch its colors come to life in your home.

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Product Substitutes

Wandering Jew Plant

$12.95 - $34.95

Spider Plant Wandering Jew Combo Pot

$24.95 - $29.95

Pink Tradescantia Nanouk Plants for Sale Online

Tradescantia Nanouk is a house plant that has most likely taken over your social media feeds. It's known for its purple, hot pink, and green striped foliage. This tropical plant prefers breaks between watering which makes it fairly low-maintenance. The Tradescantia Nanouk is native to Mexico, South and Central America, and the Caribbean.

This quality house plant thrives very well as an indoor vining plant. Grow this plant in bright, indirect sunlight for optimal vibrant blooms, and place it somewhere that’s not accessible to pets or small children. The Tradescantia Nanouk plant looks great in a hanging basket or stands where it can show off its vining growth habit, and unique foliage.

How to Care for Tradescantia Nanouk

Before you buy a Pink Wandering Jew plant, make sure to read about the care instructions that are required and recommended to keep this plant healthy and thriving!

What is the best light for My Pink Wandering Jew Plant?

Pink Wandering Jew Plants need bright, indirect light. Place your plant in a north or east-facing window to help enhance its vibrant foliage. However, too much direct sunlight will cause the purple and pink colors of the foliage to fade. Outside, Wandering Jew Plants don't handle full sun very well. This plant prefers shade or part sun to maintain its variegated foliage. Too much light will burn the leaves.

How do I fertilize Pink Wandering Jew Plants?

When fertilizing your Pink Wandering Jew plant, any all-purpose foliage fertilizer works great. If you're looking for a powder, quick release fertilizer check out Jack's Classic Indoor plant food. You simply mix it with water to provide quick nutrients to your plant. Osmocote Indoor/Outdoor is a granular option that is a slow release fertilizer that should be applied when potting or planting.

How do I water My Tradescantia Nanouk?

It is okay to allow your house plant to dry out on occasion. They don't do best when sitting in water for too long. If they are watered too often they will usually get crown rot, meaning the plant will die from the roots upward. We recommend watering your Pink Wandering Jew plant weekly during the summer, and less frequently in the cooler winter months.

What is the best soil for pink Wandering Jew Plants?

Wandering Jew Plants require a very well-draining soil. They also prefer their soil to be slightly dryer in between watering. Regular potting mix with sand works well for plants potted in containers. Also make sure your plant is potted in a a pot with drainage holes. This will help any excess water to drain out instead of sit at the bottom of your pot. If planting outside, try to avoid any areas where your soil will get too moist.

Frequently Asked questions

How do you propagate wandering jew plants.

It is extremely simple to propagate your Pink Wandering Jew plant. First, cut a stem about 4 to 6 inches long that already has several leaves on it. Ideally, this should be one of the healthiest and strongest stems. Next remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem, and place it in a jar of water. Make sure that there are no leaves under the surface of the water, or they could rot. We recommend you change the water every couple of days to keep it clean. After a few weeks, the cutting should begin to root. You will begin to see little white roots branching off the green stem you placed in the water. Allow it to develop a couple of weeks longer before transferring to potting soil. After potting, give it a good, deep watering.

Is Wandering Jew Toxic to Cats?

The Pink Wandering Jew plant is toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Contact with this plant can result in dermatitis, or skin irritation. The sap within its stems will bother your pet's digestive tract if ingested. It is important to take all preventative precautions, or choose one of the many non-toxic plants we have available. Read our blog to find a list of pet-friendly houseplants!

How to Prune Wandering Jew Plants?

In reference to its name, Pink Wandering Jew plants grow long tendrils that can spread, or hang, depending on where the plant is placed. Try placing your plant in a hanging pot, its vines will hang beautifully as your plant grows. If you would rather keep the plant compact, you can trim off new growth and long stems. This can be done at any point in the year. In addition, it is important to remove dead or dying stems to maintain the plant's health and vigor.

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California Tropicals Pink Tradescantia - Rare Nanouk - Live Houseplant Potted in Soil with Rooted Leaves - Easy Care Indoor Outdoor Plant, Mini Tiny Tropical Plant Garden, 4 inch Pot

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• PINK TRADESCANTIA: the Pink Tradescantia, also known as the Rare Nanouk has an enchanting shades of pink, purple, and green, the Rare Nanouk is like a living work of art. This plant will add a pop of color to any space, be it your living room, bedroom, or even your office. A fast grower, so you'll be able to enjoy its beauty as it fills out and cascades beautifully over the edge of its pot.
• POTTED ACCESSORIES FOR PLANTS: The Rare Nanouk in a 4" pot is a fantastic addition to your plant family. It's a whole vibe for any plant lover looking to add a touch of the extraordinary to their collection. This size is just right – not too big, not too small – making it perfect for your desktop, bookshelf, or any cozy corner that could use a touch of nature's elegance.
• EASY CARE INDOOR HOUSE PLANT: Ideal for plant parents who want maximum impact with minimal effort. Pop it in a pot, give it some bright, indirect light, and it'll thrive. Just remember to water it when the soil's feeling a bit dry – it's not a fan of bone-dry conditions. Tradescantia got the looks, the attitude, and the low-maintenance vibe that makes it a superstar in any indoor garden.
• UNIQUE GIFTS FOR GARDENING: This unique gift not only brings beauty to their home but also a touch of intrigue and sophistication. It's a conversation starter, a mood-setter, and an ideal choice for those who appreciate the finer things in life, including indoor gardening. So, if you want to surprise your gardening enthusiast with something truly special, the Tradescantia is a fantastic choice that's sure to be cherished.
• HOME DECOR FOR REAL PLANTS: This striking houseplant not only adds a touch of drama to your decor but also brings some practical advantages to your living space. Like a silent superhero, it helps purify the air by absorbing common indoor pollutants, making your home a fresher and healthier place to breathe. Tradescantia is easy to care for, so you can enjoy its benefits without a lot of effort.
• COLD PROTECTION: This plant is sensitive to the cold weather. To guarantee your plant is protected against cold damage, add gift wrap option " winter insurance" at check out. Only plants with this insurance will be guaranteed against cold damage.

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Introducing the Pink Tradescantia - Rare Nanouk, the plant that's ready to take your indoor garden to the next level! If you're on the hunt for something unique and eye-catching, look no further. This little beauty is sure to steal the spotlight in your plant collection. The Pink Tradescantia, also known as the Rare Nanouk, is a one-of-a-kind houseplant that boasts a striking blend of colors. Its vibrant pink, green, and silver striped leaves are an absolute showstopper. This plant will add a pop of color to any space, be it your living room, bedroom, or even your office. One of the best things about the Rare Nanouk is its low maintenance nature. It's a breeze to care for, making it an excellent choice for both beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts. Just place it in bright, indirect light, water it moderately, and watch it thrive. Plus, it's a fast grower, so you'll be able to enjoy its beauty as it fills out and cascades beautifully over the edge of its pot. If you're looking for a unique and stunning addition to your plant family, the Pink Tradescantia - Rare Nanouk is the perfect choice. Don't miss the chance to own this rare gem. Get yours today and start turning heads with this remarkable houseplant!

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To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the appearance and health of the plant seed. For example, they mention it's very pretty and healthy. That said, opinions are mixed on condition, growth, value, and size.

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Customers like the appearance of the plant seed. They say it looks exactly like the picture, and they love the color.

"...Highly recommend California Tropicals. . . beautiful , healthy plants. A+ Company." Read more

"...Its lush and aesthetically pleasing appearance exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this seller and would gladly make future purchases." Read more

" This plant is beautiful ! Came very well packaged and in basically perfect condition. A few broken and brown leaves...." Read more

"Good conditions, beautiful but smaller than described" Read more

Customers are satisfied with the health of the plant seeds. They mention that it is extremely healthy and thriving.

"...Highly recommend California Tropicals. . . beautiful, healthy plants . A+ Company." Read more

"...Lost all but one stem, but she is still alive and thriving . The plant is beautiful. Keep in mind she took a journey across the entire country...." Read more

"...The plant is healthy and beautiful and I would definitely purchase again." Read more

"Great little plant, very healthy . I have not had to replant it yet, as it had a good pot and dirt." Read more

Customers are mixed about the condition of the plant seeds. Some mention that they were in excellent condition, impressed with the quality, and healthy and sturdy. Others say that they arrived with a few broken and brown leaves, and the remaining leaves were wilted.

"...Came very well packaged and in basically perfect condition. A few broken and brown leaves . But for this plant that isn't a problem...." Read more

"...One of them is at the point of rotting away at bottom . Delivery was less than 4 days so I doubt all this damage could of been from shipping...." Read more

"...they would be about dead, but to my surprise they were in excellent condition . They were packaged so well that it took me a while to unwrrap them...." Read more

"The plant came with broken leaves and discoloration, but I am hopeful that it will survive...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the growth of the plant seed. Some mention it starts growing immediately and continues to keep growing, while others say that the seedlings didn't propagate properly yet and the roots weren't established.

" Perfect starter plant . Excellent packaging and I defintely will reorder from this vendor again." Read more

"...The seedlings didn’t propagate properly yet . I checked 2 seedlings, none of them has root. A lot of spots on the seedlings...." Read more

"...It continues to keep growing and I’m happy with the progress!" Read more

" Poor root growth on this cutting . Disappointed that 2 of the three cuttings died in a week." Read more

Customers are mixed about the size of the plant. Some mention that it's a nice size plant, while others say that it was delivered as a really small and bad quality plant.

"...I’m hoping it will survive… fingers crossed! Nice size plant ." Read more

"...And according to the price, this is a really small and bad quality plant. I should have bought one from nearby nursery. This is disappointing" Read more

"...It's much bigger than I had anticipated (pleasant surprise), and the soil wasn't over watered or soggy...." Read more

"...I received it mid-March and it has already doubled in size . 🌱..." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the plant seed. Some mention that it's worth every penny, while others say it'll be a waste of money.

" Wasn’t worth the price . I’ve could have purchased 3 from Home Depot for the size. However I can’t find the pink one at Home Depot...." Read more

"...I’ll update in a month or so.Overall, I’d say it’s a good price and the plant was beautiful when I received it besides being overwatered..." Read more

"...Not happy at all with the seller. Not worth the money . Stay away!!!!" Read more

"...They are absolutely gorgeous & worth worth every penny !!" Read more

Customers are mixed about the water resistance of the plant seeds. Some mention that the soil was still very moist, while others say that it was too wet and created a sauna in 110 degree weather.

"The plant was too wet creating a little sauna in this 110 degree weather...." Read more

"...than I had anticipated (pleasant surprise), and the soil wasn't over watered or soggy ...." Read more

" Plant came really dry and pretty banged up possibly could have just been a careless mail handler these types of plants are easily broken otherwise..." Read more

" Soil was already pretty wet when it arrived but I watered it more anyway. Slowly over a week or a week and a half it lost all its leaves and then died" Read more

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Tvel completes development of new fuel for Paks nuclear plant

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The full package of documents is handed over to the Hungarian customer, MVM Paks Ltd, for further licensing of the new fuel by the national nuclear power regulator, Tvel said.

The first fuel assemblies have also passed acceptance testing at Tvel's Elemash Machine-building plant in Elektrostal, Moscow region.

The new modification of VVER-440 second generation fuel increases the efficiency of fuel usage and advances the economic performance of the power plant operation, Tvel said.  

The engineering contract for development of the new VVER-440 fuel was signed in late 2017. The development and validation work involved a number of Russian enterprises, including OKB Gidropress (a part of Rosatom machine-building division Atomenergomash), Bochvar Institute (material science research facility of TVEL Fuel Company), Elemash Machine-building plant and Kurchatov Institute national research center. At the site of OKB Gidropress research and experiment facility, the new fuel passed a range of hydraulic, longevity and vibration tests .

The first consignment of the modified fuel will be delivered to Paks nuclear power plant later this year. The four-unit Paks nuclear plant, which entered operation between 1982 and 1987 currently operate on a 15-month fuel cycle and supply around 50% of Hungary's electricity.

Photo: Fabrication of new VVER-440 fuel for Paks nuclear plant (Credit: Tvel)

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