Light
This is a houseplant that really thrives in bright but indirect sunlight. The brighter the light you provide your wandering jew plant, the more flowers it will produce.
If it’s not getting enough light, the brightly-colored foliage will begin to fade.
Water
These plants are happy as long as they’re not kept soaked or allowed to be completely dry too long. Keeping the soil evenly moist is the best.
You’ll know it’s ready for more water when the soil is dry to at least 1/2″ deep. Give it a good drink but be sure that the pot drains well.
Soil
You can use a standard houseplant potting mix for your wandering jew, but they’ll do even better if you give them soil that has more organic matter.
To make your own soil mixture, add equal parts of the following:
- Perlite or coarse sand
- Peat or humus
- Garden soil
- A light dusting of lime
- A handful of rich, organic compost
You’re looking for the perfect balance of water retention and draining ability, so give the plant a watering and watch to see which way your soil tends to go, then adjust accordingly.
Fertilizer
Use a water-soluble fertilizer at least twice a month during the growing season. Be sure to dilute it down to 50% strength to avoid nutrient burn on the foliage.
You can also use a slow-release fertilizer to the soil once a year.
Repotting
If your wandering jew’s beginning to become a bit crammed in its pot, select a pot that’s 1-2″ wider than its current one. Prepare your pot with a little fresh potting soil around the sides.
Remove your plant from its existing pot, setting the root ball into the new one. Add or remove soil as necessary to get it in place. Then, fill to 2″ below the pot’s rim. Lightly tamp down the potting soil to anchor the plant in place.