How to Transplant a Wandering Jew

The succulent stemmed plant wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrine) is native to Mexico and thrives in warm, moist environments. Attractive purple-and-green foliage trails, creeps and readily sprawls creating a dense ground cover, wandering Jew becomes invasive if not controlled. Wandering Jew plants also are frequently grown as houseplants and fillers in containers, offering year-round, lush color. Propagated from cuttings, wandering Jew quickly roots and becomes established in shaded, moist areas.

Hand clippers
Organic mulch, leaves, rotted animal manure, grass clippings
Hand trowel
Shovel
Water

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare the soil where you the wandering Jew will be planted. In gardens, landscapes and containers, the soil should contain sufficient amounts of mulch, decomposed leaves, grass clippings and animal manure to provide loose, well-draining, organic soil. To augment your soil, spread 2 to 4 inches of organic material over the soil surface. Use a shovel to work the material into the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
- 2
  Dig a hole with a hand trowel that is as deep and wide as the root ball. If you are transplanting a cutting from a wandering Jew, the hole should be as deep as the stem up to the first node on the stem.
- 3
  Place the root ball or stem into the hole and fill the hole with the amended soil. Gentle pat down the fill soil to eliminate air pockets and create good contact between the roots and stem with the soil. On top of the soil, spread the long stems over the soil surface, covering sections of the stems with soil. This allows the long stems to root and grow, establishing your ground cover quickly.
- 4
  Water the transplanted wandering Jew thoroughly and keep the soil moist, but not soggy, for the first two or three weeks after transplanting.

How to Grow Clematis on a Lamp Post

How to Make a Hedge With Bougainvilleas & Hibiscus

Groundcovers & Vines