Water inch plant when the potting mix starts to dry. These houseplants do best in relatively moist soil. Fertilize inch plant if you wish. You can do it as infrequently as once or twice a year (spring and summer are the best times) or on a more regular basis.
It is required that the soil be slightly wet; too much moisture will cause root rot. Generally, watering should be carried out at least once a month. Less water is needed in the winter. Spray the leaves with water frequently if your plant is experiencing dry weather with high temperatures.
While you should always avoid overwatering both old and new plants, inch plants benefit from regular misting and watering. To discourage root rot, avoid waterlogging or soaking the soil. Just re-up the supply of moisture every time you see it start to get a little dry.
The leaves are almost succulent like and therefore humidity is something you don't have to worry about a great deal. It will be worth misting the plant however if you start to notice the leaves becoming shriveled or brown leaf tips start to appear.
Inch plants (also known as wandering Jew plants) from the genus Tradescantia, like Tradescantia zebrina, are known for being among the most vigorous, fast-growing, and fast-rooting houseplants available. With how easy these plants are to grow, it's not surprising they do well in water too.
Too much sunlight will lead to sun scorch, with typical signs including browning or crispy leaves, dry leaf-edges, sunken leaves or stunted growth. Although too little light will cause over-watering issues, too much sunlight will be a detriment, too.
Common questions about inch plant care
By their very nature, wandering Jew plants are not bushy. Their creeping growth habit means they naturally grow leggy over time, especially in containers. However, you can mimic a fuller appearance by strategically pinching off any long, spindly stems to shape the plant more.
Grow inch plant in medium or bright light. It tolerates low light for a time, but the plant's overall health will decline if kept in too little light for too long. Most types of inch plant can take a little direct sun on their leaves, making them fun choices for growing in a sunny window.
With Inch Plant care should be taken not to allow soggy soil -- a sure-fire way to kill it. Stems that look wilted may be a sign of root rot. Cut off any withered stems and allow potting mix to dry out a bit before watering again. Humidity: Try to maintain 45% relative humidity or higher for Inch Plant care.
Repotting – Inch Plants enjoy being slightly pot-bound so don't repot too frequently. When the times comes to repot, select a container with good drainage that is not more than 2 sizes larger than its current container. Hanging baskets are great choice for Inch Plants.
It grows about an inch a week, which is why it's also called an inch plant. Expect a full-grown plant in about six months after it's planted as a seedling. How long can spiderwort live? Even with the best of care, spiderwort houseplants have a somewhat short lifespan of just a few years.
The soil should be kept consistently moist for tradescantia. Water when the top couple of inches of soil are dry. Don't let the soil stay soggy, but avoid letting the soil dry out all the way through. It is completely normal for spiderwort to need less water during the winter, when the plant is not actively growing.
Benefits: Air purifier—removes toxins and VOCs from the air. Super easy to grow. Convenient size. The best indoor plant for hanging baskets and perfect for pots.
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
More importantly, watering at these times actually helps the plant retain water. If you water in the afternoon, especially during summer, the heat and sun are at their peak and the plant's water will evaporate instead of absorbing into the soil and roots.
Make a habit of checking on your houseplants at least once a week to see if they need a drink. The best way to tell if your plants need water is to stick your finger about an inch into the potting mix—if it feels dry, break out the watering can. If you detect dampness, check back again in a day or two.
When plants have too little water, leaves turn brown and wilt. This also occurs when plants have too much water. The biggest difference between the two is that too little water will result in your plant's leaves feeling dry and crispy to the touch while too much water results in soft and limp leaves.
Although these plants do prefer locations with high humidity, you don't really have to worry about humidity too much (as long as you're attentive to potting mix moisture). I do run a humidifier though during the months where we run our forced air heat indoors (my plants and my skin thank me!).
Leaves curling inward is often a sign of dehydration from either too much light or not enough water.
Plants can be pruned back hard every spring and can be taken outside on a protected patio in the summer. It is commonly grown in a hanging pot. This plant is synonymous with Tradescantia pendula and Zebrina pendula.
Tradescantia Nanouk grows best in bright, indirect light, so a north- or east-facing window is best. Water your plant when the top inch or so of the soil is dry, and take care not to let it completely dry out.
The ideal location for your plant is positioned on either side of the west or east window. This will provide the plant with sufficient light to thrive. The exception to the rule: The popular purple heart plant (tradescantia pallida) will do best panted in direct sunlight. The foliage of this plant is deep dark purple.
Select a location with filtered sun. Keep inch plants out of direct sunlight and out of dark areas, which will cause them to become leggy.
Light. The Inch Plant prefers bright, indirect light but can do well in lower lighting conditions. Keeping them near a sunny window will have them staying vibrant and healthy. If not given enough light, their colors may start to fade.