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The Purple Wandering Jew Plant: Complete Guide and Care Tips
If you are looking for a beautiful and easy-to-grow plant, the purple wandering jew plant is an excellent choice.
With its striking leaves that come in shades of green, silver, and purple, this plant can add a pop of color to any garden or indoor space.
In this article, we will provide a complete guide on how to care for the purple wandering jew plant.
What is a Purple Wandering Jew Plant?
The purple wandering jew (Tradescantia pallida) is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant that belongs to the Commelinaceae family.
It is native to Mexico but has now become popular across the world as an ornamental houseplant.
The leaves of this plant are long and pointed with vibrant colors ranging from deep green to shiny silverish-purple.
How to Grow Purple Wandering Jew Plant?
- Light: The purple wandering jew thrives in bright indirect light but can also tolerate low light conditions.
Too much direct sunlight can cause leaf burn.
- Water: This plant prefers moist soil but does not like standing water.
Water it once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Soil: Use well-draining soil with peat moss or perlite mixed in for better drainage.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize your purple wandering jew once every two weeks during spring and summer with an all-purpose fertilizer diluted by half.
Avoid fertilizing during winter months when growth slows down.
- Growth rate:This fast-growing species can grow up to two feet tall indoors within six months.
In ideal conditions, it can spread up to 24 inches wide.
How to Propagate Purple Wandering Jew Plant?
The purple wandering jew is a highly adaptable plant and propagates easily through stem cuttings.
Follow these simple steps:
- Select cuttings: Choose healthy stems with at least two nodes or leaves.
- Cut the stem: Cut a six-inch stem section just below the node using clean pruning shears.
Remove any leaves from the bottom half of the cutting.
- Dip in rooting hormone: Dip the bottom end of your cutting into rooting hormone powder or liquid for faster root growth.
- Potting medium: Plant your cutting in moist potting soil and keep it in bright indirect light with high humidity until roots develop within four to six weeks.
Transplant when necessary into a larger container filled with well-draining soil mix once roots are established
Pest and Disease Control for Purple Wandering Jew Plant
The good news is that this plant species seldom suffers from pests or diseases.
Still, here are some common issues you might face while growing this plant:
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If you notice yellowing leaves, it could mean that your plants are receiving too much water; reduce watering frequency and improve drainage if necessary.
If they turn brown, then it may be because of too little water or too much direct sunlight; adjust accordingly.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re looking for an easy-to-grow yet strikingly beautiful houseplant to add some color to your home or garden space, look no further than the purple wandering jew plant.
Caring for this plant is easy, and it provides a great opportunity to propagate new plants without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a newbie, you’ll find that the purple wandering jew is an excellent addition to your collection of indoor plants.
