So last winter, you carefully got your wandering jew inside before the first frost of winter and you kept it in the basement and now the last frost date has passed and it’s time to get that Wandering Jew out of the basement and back out into the yard. But it’s probably looking a little ragged and worse for wear from neglect and you forgetting to water it spending the winter inside.
Read about how to Overwinter your Wandering Jew here.
Now, some years I am really good about watering my plant about once a month while it’s in this kindof resting state in the basement, but some other years, I might totally forget about it and only water it once the whole winter. I am sure THIS never happens to you, but just for the sake of argument, lets say it does…
What should you do? Will it live? Should you just throw it away? Is it hopeless???
Do not fear. It will survive, and in fact it will THRIVE again! Wandering Jew is soooo forgiving! Rejuvenation is quick and easy and in no time you’ll have a beautiful full plant again. So, let’s get started…
Usually, when I bring out my overwintered jew, it is in much better shape than this and I can just pinch it back and water it and all is good. But when it is this neglected and you are considering just throwing it out, the best thing to do is start from scratch.
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That’s right. Pull all of it out. Be ruthless. Empty the basket. And this creates the perfect time to refresh the potting soil. This potting soil has been used a couple of years, so I removed most of it and replaced it with fresh potting soil. Then I watered the soil, which will make it easier to plant our sprouts.
Now, it’s time to start planting. But where do the plants come from???
Look closer at that pile of dead leaves that you pulled out and threw on the ground. On closer inspection you will see lots of tiny green and purple leaves. There is life in there!
Gather up some of those green and purple leaves and look down the stem. You will notice a definite spot where the stem is alive and where it is dead. Pinch off the stem in the “juicy” alive portion. Take off any brown leaves to leave you a stem of at least an inch or two.
Now just poke a hole in the dirt and stick the stem in the hole. I like to put several in one hole before pressing the dirt back up around the stems. Continue to stick the stems all around and fill up your basket.
Once you have your hanging basket full of stems (cuttings), give it one more drink and hang it in a protected area. I hang mine in the dogwood tree. It gets lots of light, but no direct sun.
In just two days, these little stems perked their heads up and started a pre-teen growth spurt.
And don’t forget to throw all the dead leaves and the old dirt into your COMPOST PILE.
Here is the same pot of Wandering Jew just 10 days after replanting.
It is almost totally filled in and has started reaching over the edges and spilling out the sides, just like we want it to. I do love this plant.
ONE MONTH UPDATE:
Here is that same basket just a few days short of one month from when I replanted it. Doesn’t it look fantastic?
UPDATED:
And here it is again just two months after it was replanted.
Believe it or not, this IS the exact same plant. Isn’t it magnificent?
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You might be interested in this article by Epic Gardening which shows all three types of Wandering Jew.
I can’t say mine has ever looked quite *this* bad after the winter, LOL. I actually keep mine under my grow lights all winter so it gets watered fairly regularly, but I always have tons of dead stuff to get off in the spring. I actually just put it outside yesterday and will get to cleaning it up in the next couple of days.
Yeah… this was my worst one ever! LOL I usually do much better, but let’s just say it was a teaching experience for others! 🙂
Quite informative.. I did have a great variety of wandering jews at one time. They are beautiful.
I would like to get some different varieties! But this one is so dependable.
My mother had Wandering Jew plants for decades in southern Ontario. Each spring they’d go out on the front porch, and each fall they’re brought in again. Lovely reminder of my childhood!
Such easy care, aren’t they? Love that they brought you fond memories Sarita. 🙂
I don’t know how I’d cope if I had to try remember to bring plants inside for Winter. We’re so lucky here in S Africa that the Winters are mild to warmish. But with that being said our Wandering Jew is looking a little sad. Maybe from the heat, so I’m going to try your tips.
LOL I would love to grow tropical plants. But my wandering jew is sure one of my favorites. 🙂