Wandering Dude: The Easy Houseplant That Keeps Growing

Wandering Dude, also known as Tradescantia, is an excellent choice for beginners. It is remarkably tolerant if you occasionally forget to water it, and it can even handle a little overwatering. It is also adaptable when the lighting is not ideal, and rather than simply surviving less-than-perfect conditions, it continues to grow.

My own plant has grown dramatically. Although it is still growing in the bowl shown previously, it has now reached the point where it would benefit from being moved into a larger container. The other photos show just how much the plant has developed.

Tradescantia is especially enjoyable because it produces flowers as well. New blooms can repeatedly appear along the flower stalks, so avoid cutting those stalks away when taking cuttings for propagation. Propagation is highly recommended because Tradescantia roots very easily in both water and soil.

General Wandering Dude Tradescantia Care Tips

Light

Inch Plant, another name historically used for Wandering Jew and increasingly replaced by the name Wandering Dude, is quite adaptable when it comes to lighting.

When placed in very strong light, the entire plant can develop a purple coloration. Under lower-intensity lighting, the leaves tend to display more of their natural variegation or striping.

I generally keep my Tradescantia in bright, indirect light. This encourages fuller, bushier growth and helps prevent the plant from becoming excessively leggy.

Water

Ordinary tap water works well for this plant. I allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings before giving it more moisture.

Because my plant is currently growing in a small bowl without drainage holes, I tend to use water somewhat sparingly. The important thing is to avoid allowing the plant to remain in standing water. As long as the roots are not sitting in a puddle, the plant should remain healthy.

Soil

I use a regular potting mix that drains well and contains perlite. A loose, well-draining growing medium helps prevent excess moisture from remaining around the roots.

Humidity

Tradescantia does well in ordinary household humidity. There is no need to provide unusually high humidity for this plant when it is growing under normal indoor conditions.

Fertilizer

I feed the plant once each month with a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer formulated at 10-10-10.

Pruning

Regular pruning is useful for encouraging a fuller and more compact plant. Do not hesitate to trim the stems when necessary to promote bushier growth.

The cuttings can simply be placed back into the same pot. They will readily develop roots and continue growing, making it easy to create a thicker, fuller plant.

Toxicity

Tradescantia is listed as toxic to cats and dogs, so it should be kept away from pets that may chew on the plant.

Flower Stalks

The flower stalks are worth paying attention to because they can produce repeated blooms. If you are purchasing a new Tradescantia from a nursery, consider choosing a plant that already has visible flower stalks, as this can indicate that it is ready to flower.

Choosing a Tradescantia

There are many different Tradescantia varieties to explore, and Zebrina is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in the genus.

Tradescantia is also a particularly good introduction to houseplants because it is inexpensive, easy to care for, and offers plenty of opportunities to learn about watering, light, pruning, propagation, and plant growth.

Starting with a small young plant can be especially rewarding because you can watch it develop and gradually create a much fuller specimen.