How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Tradescantia Fluminensis

We’ve discussed the wandering jew plant in the past quite extensively. But today, we’re zeroing in on a particular subspecies. The white-flowered wandering jew plant Tradescantia fluminensis, with its wide array of names including wandering willie plant, inch plant, and white spider weed.

While it’s avoided in some parts of the world for many reasons, it’s become common in warmer climates. Popularized as a houseplant, it can also be grown as a very dense ground cover.

So let’s delve into the world of this wandering willy, formerly known as wandering gypsy! While it may not be as popular as the purple queen wandering jew, it pairs very nicely with its relative.

Plant Overview

• Plant Type Perennial ground cover
• Family Commelinaceae
• Genus Tradescantia
• Species Tradescantia fluminensis
• Native Area Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay
• Exposure Bright, indirect Light
• Height 6’
• Watering Requirements Moderate
• Pests & Diseases Spider mites, aphids, leaf spot, botrytis, powdery mildew, root rot
• Maintenance Low
• Soil Type Well-draining, loamy
• Hardiness Zone 9-12

What is Tradescantia fluminensis?

This white-flowered wandering jew species is a popular indoor plant. It’s an evergreen perennial that is easy to grow. As long as you keep your river spiderwort in check, the flowers and foliage are worth it. Those beautiful, three-petaled flowers are really showy! It pairs well with other wandering species and is definitely a fun houseplant to grow.

Native Area

It originates in South America in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. There are alternate cultivars than the base plant. One popular variety is Tradescantia fluminensis var. variegata. This cultivar has cream or yellow streaks on its leaves.

Characteristics

Its leaves are glossy and oval and are deep green in color. They attach to fleshy stems which can easily put down roots from the stem nodes. Triangular, three-petaled white flowers emerge from the foliage. These do not set seed, but they may appear singly or in clusters.

It freely flowers in zones 9-12 but may slow down in cooler temperatures. It likes moderate to warm climates. As far as lighting is concerned, it prefers full sun to partial shade and a reasonable amount of water. It can be somewhat drought-tolerant in shadier conditions.

Many regions consider this perennial to be a noxious weed or an invasive pest plant. The worst impact in the United States is found in the southeast, where temperatures are warm. Other areas where it’s severe include Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

One of the reasons for its invasive nature is the ease with which it roots. Any small segment of the stem which includes a node can put down roots from that node. That means that even if it’s cut, a small segment left behind can root and grow again. It’s quite regenerative, making elimination a challenge.

As it spreads, it forms a very dense, thick ground cover. This covering of stems and leaves can choke out other plants easily. In seriously affected areas, it can start to cause hazards to trees or other large plants. It will dominate its environment if given half a chance.

Keep it as a houseplant to prevent it from overgrowing its boundaries. Cooler climate dwellers will have less of a problem keeping it in check, but they should probably keep it inside, too.

Varieties

Like other wandering jew species, there’s a plethora of names for this houseplant. The scientific name is Tradescantia fluminensis, but it has an alternate name Tradescantia albiflora, although that name has fallen out of use.

Other names for this Tradescantia species include white spider weed, small-leaf spiderwort, or river spiderwort. It’s also known as wandering gypsy plant, wandering trad, wandering willie, or inch plant. Inch plant may be a particularly apt name. This low-lying cover will creep out to coat the landscape if not maintained.

While wandering jew plants and wandering gypsy were considered okay names in the past, these days both have been discarded by many due to their offensive nomenclature. That’s due to the associations of both with stories used to justify discrimination and persecution of Jewish people and Romani people too.

Thankfully, there are many more names without an oppressive history! Wandering creeper is a common name. Like the inch plant name, it tends to be apt, as it does creep along the ground and spread readily.

Planting

To plant Tradescantia fluminensis, choose a location with partial to full shade and ensure the soil is well-drained but moist. Regular trimming helps control its spread, and mulching around the plant can help maintain soil moisture. However, gardeners should be mindful of its invasive potential and take measures to prevent it from spreading beyond the intended area.

How to Grow

Before you buy this indoor plant, remember that Tradescantia is poisonous to cats. It may not be fatal, but it’ll be quite unpleasant. Keep it out of reach of your feline friends!

Light

Ideally, choose bright and indirect sunlight for your plant. It can take full direct sun, but the leaves may fade to a lighter green color. If you’re growing a variegata type, the streaking on the leaves may look washed out in full sun conditions.

In partial shade, it is often a bit more drought-tolerant. However, it does prefer to have even and consistent moisture in its soil. Indoor gardeners should strive for lightly moist soil at all times.

Water

Tradescantia fluminensis prefers consistently moist soil but is quite tolerant of occasional drought once established. It thrives in humid environments and responds well to regular watering, especially in the growing season, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Overwatering can lead to root rot, so ensuring good drainage is important. During dry spells or in hotter climates, increase watering frequency to prevent the plant from drying out, but in cooler months, it can tolerate less water.

Soil

Tradescantia fluminensis thrives in a wide range of soil types, but it prefers well-drained, fertile soil with good moisture retention. It adapts well to loamy or sandy soils and can even tolerate poorer soils, though it performs best in soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH level is ideal for its growth.

While it can survive in compacted or clay-heavy soils, adding organic compost or sand can improve drainage and aeration, which helps prevent root rot in wetter conditions. For optimal growth, the soil should be kept consistently moist but never waterlogged, allowing Tradescantia fluminensis to spread and flourish in garden beds or containers.

Temperature

This ground cover thrives in warm, temperate climates and prefers temperatures between 65°F to 75°F. It grows best in mild conditions, making it ideal for areas that don’t experience extreme heat or cold. While it can tolerate brief dips in temperature, it is sensitive to frost and will suffer damage if exposed to prolonged freezing conditions.

In colder climates, it’s often grown as a houseplant or in sheltered outdoor spots. In hot climates, Tradescantia fluminensis benefits from some protection against intense midday sun, as high heat combined with dry conditions can cause stress to the plant. Maintaining moderate temperatures helps this plant remain lush and vibrant year-round. Remember to use as a houseplant if it has the tendency to become invasive in your area.

Fertilizing

Fertilize with a liquid plant food diluted to half strength every two weeks during its spring and summer growing seasons. Winter and fall are dormant times, and fertilizing isn’t necessary then.

Maintenance

Pruning is easy. With clean gardening shears, clip off excess length beyond a stem joint or node. The plant will develop new growth from its node. If it’s not maintained, it can get leggy.

You may not even need shears. For this species, the stem joints are surprisingly weak and prone to breaking. If you grasp the stem on either side of the joint and bend it, your excess growth may snap off at the joint.

Propagation

While all wandering jew species will root from cuttings, this one can be a bit insidious. If a stem joint rests on the soil of another plant’s pot, it can take root there and spread. It’s best to keep this separate from other plants, and a hanging basket may do the trick.

Common Problems

Be careful with this variety if it’s in a hanging basket. Those fragile stems can break in windy or rough conditions. If your pot bumps against anything regularly, move it to somewhere where the stems can hang unimpeded to prevent unintentional spread

Pests

Spider mites are your most likely pest. They feed on plants and weave webs around plant leaves and stems. Heavily-infested plants will have the characteristic webbing. To keep these at bay, spritz all leaf and stem surfaces with neem oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How fast does Tradescantia fluminensis grow?

A: It’s a quick grower! You can go from cutting to full-grown plant in about six months.

Q: Does Tradescantia need a lot of sun?

A: Not necessarily. Ideal growing conditions have full sun to partial shade.

Q: How do you make a Tradescantia bushy?

A: Pinch the tips with the new green leaves of the plant off, prune it regularly, and remove droopier branches, and you’ll have a bushier growth habit.

Q: Why is my Tradescantia so leggy?

A: In plants, leggy growth is usually a condition of an environment that doesn’t have enough light. Move the plant into a brighter light situation to see if it will grow more compactly.

Q: Does Tradescantia like shallow pots?

A: To some extent, yes. A pot that’s wider than it is deep is ok. You want at least half an inch of depth below the root ball, though.

Q: Will Tradescantia grow after cutting?

A: Absolutely! There are nodes along each stem, and from these new leaves can grow.

Q: Should I bottom water Tradescantia?

A: You can, but it’s best to avoid leaving the plant in a puddle of water. Monitor it carefully if you choose to bottom water.