The Encyclopedia of House Plants

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Zebrina

Family: Commelinaceae.

Zebrina pendula Schnizl. (Tradescantia zebrina Loud.) Common name(s): Wandering Jew
Zebrina Genus of about 4-5 species of evergreen perennials from S. US, Mexico, and Central America. Zebrina is closely related to Tradescantia but it is more colourful. The leaves are glostening and multicoloured above and purple below. The surface colours may be green and silver edged with pink, green and purple. Zebrina bears pink or purplish flowers in spring and summer. Zebrina is an easy to grow plant.
Growing conditions Watering and misting Propagation
Average warmth in summer - minimum 45 F in winter. Brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight. Keep compost moist at all time. Reduce watering in winter. Misting is necessary. Take stem cuttings in spring or summer.

User-submitted additions and corrections:

Victoria
united states
26th Jun 2005 		wandreing jews do well in full direct sunlight too. i have my hanging basket in a sothern lighted window and the window gets pretty warm during the day and you should see how well it's doing!
joe
british columbia
1st Sep 2006 		i was wondering if this plant is poisinos what parts and how much if it is???? thanx
galka
USA
1st Sep 2006 		This plant is not poisonous.
Julie
USA
22nd Mar 2007 		Though I know how 'painful' it is to snip off lengths of plants, this plant MUST be snipped back regularly or the base and outward becomes gangley and ugly. But they root in water soo easily, just snip off new grown when its an inch or two and throw it in water. You can also take a bobby pin or something of that nature and pin the parts that are barren and ugly right back to the soil (where that jointed area is-bout every inch or so) bring them right back up into the pot and pin them down. They will grow right into the soil at every one of those joints! These plants are super easy, and beautiful but you MUST keep them pinched back to prevent the barren, dead look around the top that you ask about.
Deirdre
NC
13th Sep 2007 		I do know if you may get rashes and allergic reactions by touching he leaves.However, I might not be a good idea around small kids and animals.
anna
england
31st Oct 2007 		hi melissa - water when the soil feels dry, and water from beneath, ie into the dish your plant sits in but never more than a couple of centimetres depth of water. this way you deliver a fixed dose and encourage deep roots. check how wet the soil is by pressing your finger into it, if it feels damp then leave it a day or two. if the top of the soil is crumbly and dry give it a water. feed once a month. seriously these plants are very forgiving, so stop over-pampering it!
Trish
United States of America
13th Apr 2014 		I found an abandoned plant dead except for the last 5 inches of nearly 2 foot tendrils. I rooted these in well water then planted in potting soil. When I moved away (a 15 hour drive) it traveled with me. It rewarded me by producing tiny 3 petaled lavender colored flowers that year. The flowers only lasted 2 - 3 days. A florist I consulted informed me that only plants 7 years or older blossom.
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