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Easy to Grow | Hardiness Zone 9+
Discount per quantity
Quantity | 3 – 8 | 9 – 14 | 15+ |
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Price | Price range: $6.78 through $19.39 | Price range: $6.57 through $18.79 | Price range: $6.29 through $17.99 |
% Discount | 3% | 6% | 10% |
We package our seeds from the same seed supply we use at the greenhouse. Seeds may be raw, coated, pelleted, or primed. All quantities of the same item are packaged together. Order one 10 count and you will receive one package of 10 seeds. Order four 10 count and you will receive one package of 40 seeds.
Plugs are young plants grown in cells of soil that are as small as one cubic inch. These plants represent the starting point for growing mature plants from cuttings or seeds. They require close attention until the plant become established.
Tradescantia zebrina – Wandering Jew Purple: A Vibrant Trail of Color for Your Home and Garden
If you’ve ever wanted a plant that practically shouts look at me! with minimal effort on your part, then let me introduce you to Tradescantia zebrina—often known as Wandering Jew Purple.
This plant is a showstopper.
From the moment you see its shimmering stripes and bold purple hues, you’ll understand why it’s a favorite for plant lovers everywhere. Whether you’re decking out your patio with a burst of color or sprucing up a shelf inside your home, Tradescantia zebrina offers an easy and exciting way to bring nature’s artwork into your space.
Let’s dive into what makes this beauty so special—and how you can make it thrive.
Common Names:
Wandering Jew Purple, Inch Plant, Purple Wandering Jew, Silver Inch Plant
Native Habitat:
Southern Mexico and Central America
Plant Type:
Trailing perennial, often grown as a houseplant or warm-season annual in cooler zones
Famous For:
Its mesmerizing foliage—leaves striped with metallic silver, emerald green, and vibrant purple.
There’s something magical about Tradescantia zebrina. The way its leaves shimmer in the light makes it feel alive with personality.
The upper sides of the leaves display alternating silvery-white and green stripes, while the undersides glow with a deep, royal purple. As the plant trails and tumbles from its pot, you get a full view of this two-toned effect. It’s a living curtain of color.
Wandering Jew Purple doesn’t waste time. It grows quickly, sending out long, trailing stems that can drape elegantly from hanging baskets or sprawl across the ground as a vibrant groundcover.
Whether you’re a gardening pro or you’re just getting started, this plant won’t let you down. It’s tolerant of a range of conditions, and it bounces back quickly if you forget a watering (or two).
This is a plant that goes where you need it. You can grow it indoors in pots or outdoors in beds, baskets, and containers. Let’s look at both.
Brightens windowsills, shelves, and tabletops
Excellent in hanging baskets where it can trail gracefully
Adds tropical flair to indoor plant collections
Groundcover for shady spots
Container plantings for patios and porches
Seasonal color in garden beds (it’s easy to take cuttings before frost and bring them inside)
Tradescantia zebrina thrives in bright, indirect light.
Think of a spot near a sunny window—but not one where the leaves will get scorched by harsh afternoon rays. A little direct morning sun is okay. If the light is too low, the purple color fades and growth slows.
Outdoors, try a partially shaded area. It’ll love dappled light under a tree or filtered sunlight on a covered patio.
Here’s the sweet spot:
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
Avoid soggy conditions—Tradescantia hates “wet feet”
Let pots drain fully, and empty saucers if water collects
In other words, don’t drown it. But don’t forget about it either. Like most tropical plants, it loves humidity but needs good drainage.
This plant likes it warm and cozy. Its ideal range is between 60–80°F (15–27°C).
Outdoors, it’s best in USDA zones 9–11. If you live in a colder climate, enjoy it outside in the summer and bring it inside when the temperatures dip.
It also loves moderate to high humidity, so consider misting it or placing a pebble tray nearby if your indoor air is dry.
Good news: it’s not fussy.
Use a well-draining potting mix—something like a standard houseplant soil with a little added perlite or sand works perfectly.
Fertilizer:
Feed monthly during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. Skip feeding in winter when the plant slows down.
One of the best parts of growing Tradescantia zebrina? You can shape it any way you like.
Prune regularly to keep it full and bushy
Pinch back long vines to encourage more branching
Use cuttings to propagate new plants (more on that below)
It’s a quick fixer, too. If your plant looks leggy or sparse, just snip off the straggly stems, and it will bounce back with fresh new growth.
Want more Wandering Jew plants? Just cut and grow!
Here’s how:
Snip a healthy stem just below a leaf node (4–6 inches long).
Remove the lower leaves.
Place the cutting in water or moist soil.
Roots will form in just a few days to a couple of weeks.
Before you know it, you’ll have a whole new plant to keep or share.
This plant is pretty tough, but here are a few things to watch for:
Too little light can dull those gorgeous purple tones. Move your plant to a brighter spot.
Happens when the plant stretches for light or isn’t pruned. Snip it back and give it a better light source.
Usually from overwatering or poor drainage. Let the soil dry out between waterings and use a well-draining pot.
Occasionally you might see spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs. A quick spray with insecticidal soap or a gentle wipe with diluted neem oil should do the trick.
Tradescantia zebrina is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested and may cause skin irritation. Keep it out of reach of curious pets—or choose a pet-friendly alternative if your furry friends like to chew on plants.
This plant isn’t just a grower—it’s a styler.
Here are a few creative ways to use it:
Hanging baskets: Let the vines spill over for a dramatic look
Bookshelves: Let it trail from the top shelf like living décor
Terracotta pots: Contrast the purple tones with warm, earthy clay
Mixed containers: Pair it with lime green coleus or silver dusty miller
Outdoor borders: Add it as a quick-growing splash of color in the summer garden
Vibrant and showy
Grows like a dream
Easy to care for
Perfect for indoor and outdoor spaces
Simple to propagate and share
If you’re looking for a plant that offers both beauty and ease, Tradescantia zebrina delivers every time.
You don’t need a green thumb. Just a spot with bright light, a bit of care, and a few minutes here and there to keep it looking its best.
There’s a reason this plant has remained a classic favorite for decades. It adapts, it impresses, and it multiplies—making it the gift that keeps on giving, both for your home and your gardening heart.
So go ahead—let Wandering Jew Purple wander into your life.
You’ll be glad you did.
Weight | N/A |
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Options | 4.25 in. (19.5 fl. oz.) Pot, 6 in. Hanging Basket (1 qt), Starter Plug – 3 count, Unrooted Cutting – 6 Count |
Most orders are shipped with in 2-3 days of placing order via USPS, UPS or FedEx. We do not hold orders due to weather or planting time. Packages take 2-5 days in transit after shipping. We do ship Monday – Friday.
We will offer items at discount from time to time. All items have a quantity discount available when other discounts do not apply.