Garden Care Guide

Wandering Jew Care

Tradescantia zebrina

A very easy-care, fast-growing houseplant known for its silver and green striped leaves with purple undersides. It needs regular pruning to stay full and bushy. Its colors are at their most vivid in bright, indirect light.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Water when the top 2-3 cm of soil is dry (about every 10-14 days). Avoid overwatering.
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize; it is the dormancy period.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry or yellowed leaves.
  • Plant protection: In dry indoor air, check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites. If you see pests, wipe them off with a damp cloth.
  • General care: Keep it away from heat sources such as radiators. Low light causes the leaf colors to fade.
  • Pests & diseases: Root rot is the biggest risk; make sure the soil does not sit in water in the pot saucer.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering as the soil dries (every 10 days).
  • Fertilizing: Do not fertilize. If new shoots begin toward the end of the month, you can start fertilizing at half dose.
  • Pruning: Winter is the best time to renew weakened, leggy plants by pruning them hard.
  • General care: If repotting is needed (if the roots have filled the pot), it can be done this month. Easily root the pruned branches in water or soil.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the new shoots for aphids.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
  • Watering: Increase watering as the weather warms; water when the top of the soil dries slightly (once a week).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Begin regularly pruning shoot tips (pinching) to make the plant bushier.
  • General care: This is the best month for repotting. For a fresh new plant, start a new pot from the pruned cuttings.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the leaves can be a sign of overwatering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue balanced liquid fertilizing every two weeks. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Continue to prune shoot tips regularly for a fuller appearance.
  • General care: Because it grows fast, you can keep the hanging branches at the length you want.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf colors losing their vividness is a sign of insufficient light.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every two weeks.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of spider mites.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Leaf drop and stem rot are signs of overwatering.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every two weeks.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Hot and dry weather increases the risk of spider mites. Check the undersides of the leaves and spray the leaves with water often. If you see pests, apply soapy water made with Aleppo soap.
  • General care: Keep in a bright spot without direct midday sun to prevent leaf scorch.
  • Pests & diseases: Fine webs on the undersides of the leaves are a sign of spider mites.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing every two weeks.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Mealybugs can spread faster in the heat; check between the branches.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Reduce the fertilizing frequency to once a month. Do not overdo it.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: Gradually prepare the plant for winter dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Take care that the plant does not become stressed during seasonal changes.
  • Frost risk: Protect plants against day and night temperature differences.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: As growth continues, keep fertilizing but reduce to once a month. It can be mown toward the end of the month. Do not overapply.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • General care: The plant is still actively growing. If you will move it to a place with less light in winter, acclimatize it gradually.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: From the start of the month, stop fertilizing completely.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry branches that spoil the appearance.
  • General care: Prepare to move the plant to a cooler location.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the general health of the plant.
  • Frost risk: Keep the plant away from windows that cool at night.
November
  • Watering: Water after the soil surface has dried out thoroughly (every 15-20 days).
  • General care: Move it to a bright but cool place for winter dormancy. Keep it away from heat sources.
  • Pests & diseases: It may drop leaves due to the change of environment; this is normal.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
  • Watering: Water very little, just enough to prevent the soil from drying out completely (1-2 times a month).
  • Plant protection: Check the plant for overwintering pests (mealybugs, scale insects).
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Excess watering can cause root rot during this period, so be very careful.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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