When the hanging plant has longer trails than intended, it can be trimmed and the resulting stem cuttings can be rooted to form new plants. The trailing or creeping stems form nodules where the roots will eventually grow as it comes in contact with the soil (2). They can grow from seeds but will take years to establish so the more convenient stem cutting is best. Propagating wandering jew plants is very easy. As long as the plant is receiving just enough moisture, this disease will be avoided. Since the plant is mainly soft almost like a succulent, soggy soil and too wet conditions lead to root and stem rot (4). If left unnoticed and the infestation has become severe, get rid of the plant by burning to avoid contamination. Manual removal at the onset of infestation is effective but they should be closely monitored as serious attack may lead to the plant’s death. The most common living enemies of the wandering jew are aphids, mealybugs, scale, white flies, and spider mites. This will humidify the immediate vicinity of the plant aiding in its photosynthesis and transpiration processes. If the plant is on a table, place a glass of water beneath the leaves or put the pot on a wet pebble tray. Mist the hanging plant early in the morning and late in the afternoon. During the heat of the summer, taking the plant outside under shade will provide the necessary cool to the plant. Spiderworts like it warm but there should be enough air circulation or else the leaves will sag. Saturated soil often causes the roots and stems to soften and rot. When potted, the soil should be kept moist but well-drained. The plant spreads easily in damp areas that’s why it naturally grows along riverbanks and roadsides. Placing them by the window and turning the plant every two weeks will keep the leaves colorful and the growth even on all sides (3). It likes filtered sun so indoor fluorescent light is enough. In the wild, the wandering jew plant thrives without assistance but under the right conditions. Here’s how to care for a wandering jew plant, one of the easy house plants to own. The plant is also known to treat high blood pressure, cough, urinary tract infection and tuberculosis (1). The extract from the whole plant is cooked with dates, ginger, and water and consumed by patients. In traditional Chinese medicine, the wandering jew plant is highly valued as treatment for kidney failure. Studies showed that Tradescantia has significant effects as an anticancer, antioxidant, and antibacterial medicinal plant. Although growing them is not prohibited, everyone is obliged to keep the plant’s growth under control (5). In countries like Australia, the plant has the capacity to invade natural vegetation. Although they don’t lead to anything serious, it will be safe to keep the plants out of reach of pets and to keep the hands protected when dealing with the sap of the plant.īecause of the plant’s hardiness and adaptability to different environments, the wandering jew establishes well, in fact so well that it can be considered an invasive plant. Spiderworts are normally harmless plants but they contain toxic properties that may cause mild gastric problems and dermatitis to pets. The resulting fruit is a capsule containing tiny brown seeds. Small three-petaled pinkish purple flowers appear sporadically throughout the year (4). The wandering jew is considered an ornamental plant primarily because of its showy colorful foliage but the plant does produce flowers. The plant grows close to the ground and can only reach 20 to 30 cm high. The lance-like leaves are a mixture of green and purple with silver stripes on the upper side and deep purple under (3). It has long fleshy stems where the leaves and roots appear. zebrina also previously called Zebrina pendula. The most common tradescantia grown ornamentally is the T. They are native to Canada, Mexico, and Argentina and have been naturalized in other parts of the world (2). Some of its 75 species are commonly called ‘wandering jew’ (also known as inchplant), a name they adapted due to their long lifespan like the Jewish character from a Christian folklore.Īnother name for this group of herbaceous perennial plants is ‘spiderwort’ after the spiderweb-like sap they produce when the stem breaks. Tradescantia is one of the 37 genera under the plant family Commelinaceae (1).
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