Wandering Dude
Tradescantia zebrina
A fast-growing trailing plant with shimmering purple-and-silver striped leaves and deep purple undersides. It roots almost anywhere and is one of the easiest houseplants to grow and propagate.
- Light
- Bright indirect light
- Water
- Weekly; keep lightly moist
- Difficulty
- Easy
Got a plant like this?
Identify any plant from a photo, free.
Overview
Wandering Dude is the most familiar of the trailing Tradescantia species, grown for its eye-catching foliage striped in silver, green, and purple, with vivid magenta undersides. The common name has largely replaced the older, now-discouraged name 'wandering jew.'
It is vigorous, forgiving, and propagates with almost no effort, making it a classic beginner plant for hanging baskets and windowsills. Bright light intensifies the purple and silver tones, while low light fades them to plain green.
How to identify it
Look for:
- Leaves: Pointed-oval, fleshy, with two silver stripes over a green-purple base and bright purple undersides
- Sheen: A metallic, almost iridescent shimmer on the upper leaf surface
- Stems: Soft, trailing, and quick to root at the nodes
- Flowers: Small, three-petaled pink to lavender flowers, produced sporadically
- Habit: Cascading or sprawling; spreads readily
Care & growing
- Light: Bright indirect light for the boldest color; tolerates some direct morning sun
- Water: Keep lightly moist; water when the top of the soil starts to dry, roughly weekly
- Soil: Standard well-draining potting mix
- Temperature: 60-80F (16-27C); not frost hardy
- Feeding: Balanced fertilizer monthly in the growing season
- Propagation: Extremely easy; stem cuttings root in days in water or soil
- Tip: Pinch regularly to keep it full and prevent bare, leggy stems
Habitat & origin
Native to southern Mexico and Central America, where it grows as a groundcover in shaded, humid forest settings.
It is grown worldwide as a houseplant and hanging-basket plant, and outdoors in frost-free climates, where it can spread aggressively and is considered invasive in some warm regions.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my plant turning all green?
Insufficient light causes the purple and silver coloring to fade. Move it somewhere brighter (indirect) to restore the contrast.
How do I fix a leggy, bald plant?
Pinch back the stems regularly. This encourages branching and bushier growth, and you can root the trimmings to fill out the pot.
Is it the same as inch plant?
Yes, 'inch plant' is another common name for trailing Tradescantia, including this species, referring to how it roots every inch along the stem.
How do I propagate it?
Extremely easily. Snip a stem segment and place it in water or moist soil, where it roots within days at the nodes.
Wandering Dude guides
In-depth guides for identifying, growing, and caring for Wandering Dude.
