How to Start a Wandering Jew Plant in Water

Taking Cuttings

• Although you can start a new wandering Jew any time of year, cuttings root best when the plant is actively growing in spring or summer. Cut 4- to 6-inch stem tips from a healthy plant. Make each cut just below a node, which is a small protrusion where a new leaf or bud is about to emerge. Use a sharp knife or fresh razor blade to make clean, even cuts because jagged cuts are more likely to rot.

Preparation

• The best container for rooting is a jar or glass that is wider at the top than the bottom. Although clear glass works fine, colored glass shields the roots from sunlight and prevents the water from developing algae. Cover the top of the glass with a piece of wire netting to keep the stem upright, then insert the stems through the netting. Leave three or four leaves intact on the upper part of the stem but pinch off leaves from the lower stem because leaves that touch water are likely to rot. Although you can plant more than one cutting in a container, don't crowd the stems.

Rooting

• Wandering Jew cuttings root quickly on a windowsill in bright, indirect sunlight. If the windowsill is too hot or sunny, wrap a piece of newspaper around the container. Check the cuttings daily and add water as needed so the lower part of the stems are always submerged. The cuttings are ready to plant in 3-inch containers filled with regular commercial potting mixture when the roots are 1 to 2 inches long -- usually about two to four weeks. When the new plants are showing new growth, feed them lightly with a general-purpose liquid plant fertilizer mixed at a rate of no more than 1/4 teaspoon per 1 gallon of water. Check the fertilizer package for instructions but use one-fourth strength.

Considerations

• A rambunctious, somewhat aggressive plant, wandering Jew spreads quickly and often becomes invasive when grown outdoors. Monitor the plant carefully if you grow wandering Jew as a ground cover. Otherwise, planting the vine in a container is the best way to prevent potential problems. Wear gloves when taking cuttings from wandering Jew. Although the plant isn't toxic, the sap may cause skin irritation in some people.