So, I’ve been messing around with this Wandering Jew plant (Tradescantia zebrina, if you wanna get fancy), and let me tell you, figuring out the right temperature for this thing has been a journey!
My Wandering Jew Temperature Experiment
I started out like most folks, I guess. I just plunked it in a pot and put it on my windowsill. It seemed happy enough at first, lots of those pretty purple and green stripes. But then, things started to go a little… south.
- Phase 1: The “Just Winging It” Phase
My apartment generally stays around 70-75°F (21-24°C) during the day. At night, especially in the winter, it can dip down to maybe 65°F (18°C) near the window. My Wandering Jew was growing, sure, but it was kinda… leggy. Long stems with leaves spaced far apart. Not the lush, full look I was going for.
- Phase 2: The “Uh Oh, What’s Happening?” Phase
Then came the real test – winter. I noticed the leaves closer to the window were starting to look a little brown and crispy at the edges. Yikes! I figured it was getting too cold during those chilly nights. It made sense, you know? These plants are originally from warmer places.
- Phase 3: The “Let’s Get Scientific (Sort Of)” Phase
I got myself a cheap little thermometer and started tracking the temperature near the plant. Turns out, it was getting down to the low 60s (around 16°C) on some nights. Too cold for this tropical buddy!
So I moved it further away from the window, to a spot where the temperature was more consistently in the 70-75°F range. I also made sure it wasn’t near any drafts from the door or anything.
- Phase 4: The “Happy Plant, Happy Me” Phase
And guess what? It worked! The browning stopped, and the new growth started looking much healthier. Fuller, more vibrant colors, the whole deal. It’s still not super bushy, but it is way better than before.
The key seems to be keeping it consistently warm, but not scorching hot. I haven’t had a summer with it yet, but I’m planning to keep a close eye on it when the temperatures start to climb. Might need to move it away from direct sunlight if it gets too intense.
It is a learning process.
