Last Updated on October 8, 2022 by Real Men Sow
The Wandering Jew is a Mexican native plant, that has trailing stems, green and purple leaves, and often silvery-striped stripes. It’s a warm-climate species that can be grown indoors. Wandering Jew can be propagated by planting cuttings directly in soil or in water.
Cutting
The Wandering Jew plant can easily root itself by using cuttings (also known as slips) from mature plants. Cut the stem below a node with sharp, clean scissors. This is a protrusion that looks like a bud. It is where a leaf or bud is starting to grow. This is where new roots form during propagation. If you do not see a node in the stem, trim the stem below the newest leaf. Cuts measuring between 4 and 6 inches are best for roots.
Propagating Wandering Jew in Water
This old-fashioned method of propagating plants in water works well for most plants, particularly thick-stemmed ones like wandering Jew. Use lukewarm water to fill a glass or jar. The cutting will be rotted if the leaves are submerged in water. Set the container in the water. Avoid direct sunlight, such as from a south-facing window. Too much heat and light can cause rooting problems. Water should be replaced as necessary to maintain the same level. Make sure roots are not submerged. Also, make sure leaves do not touch the container’s rim. Roots typically appear within one to four weeks. Plant the cuttings once they are about a foot long. To give the appearance of a fully grown plant, you can root multiple cuttings and place them in one pot.
Propagating Wandering Jew in Soil
It is slightly more difficult to propagate a wandering Jew in soil than it is to do the same with a cutting in water. Fill a container with moistened, potting mix. Take the lower stem leaves and place the cuttings in the moistened potting mixture. Rooting will be faster if the ends of the cuttings are dipped in rooting hormone prior to planting. As long as the stems and leaves don’t overlap, you can plant multiple cuttings in one pot. Place a plastic bag over the pot and tie the rubber band around the bag. The pot should be placed in indirect, bright light. The plastic will retain a moist environment for several weeks without the need to add water. Then in about a month, you will see new growth. This is a sign that the cuttings are rooted. So, you can now safely remove the plastic.
After Rooting
The Wandering Jew is happy in light to moderately bright conditions and room temperatures between 55-75°F. When the soil is dry, water the plant well. After watering the pot, let it drain completely. Never leave the pot in water as soggy soil can cause the plant to rot. Regular fertilization is beneficial for Wandering Jew. Use a water-soluble fertilizer to fertilize the newly rooted plant at a rate 1/2 teaspoon per gallon. Once the plant is established and growing well, you can increase the frequency of feeding to every two weeks during spring and summer. Fall and winter, however, should be fed once a month.
