Okay, so I’ve got this Wandering Jew plant, you know, the one with the purple and green stripes? It’s pretty, but I wasn’t sure how much light it actually needed. I mean, I’ve heard they’re easy to take care of, but “easy” can mean different things, right?
My Experiment Begins
I started by putting it in a spot that I thought was bright enough – near a window, but not directly in the sunbeams. I figured I’d play it safe. I watered it whenever the top of the soil felt dry, which seemed to be about once a week.
- Week 1: The plant looked… okay. Not bad, but not super vibrant either. The colors were a little dull.
- Week 2: Still kinda “meh.” I noticed some of the leaves were turning a bit pale, almost greenish-yellow.
- Week 3: Definitely not thriving. It even started to look a little leggy, like it was stretching out and getting thin.
That’s when I thought, “Okay, this ‘indirect light’ thing isn’t cutting it.”
Bring on the Sun!
So, I moved it. This time, I put it right on a windowsill where it would get a good dose of morning sun. I was a little nervous, I’ll admit. I didn’t want to scorch the poor thing! I kept a close eye on it, checking the soil moisture more often, since I figured it might dry out faster.
- Week 4 (New Spot): Whoa! I saw a difference almost immediately. The colors started popping! Those purple stripes became way more intense.
- Week 5: It was like a whole new plant. It looked so much healthier and fuller. Even started getting some new growth.
- Week 6: Seriously, this thing is loving life! The leaves are vibrant, it’s not leggy anymore, and it just looks… happy.
My Conclusion
Turns out, my Wandering Jew definitely needed more sunlight than I initially gave it. That “bright, indirect light” is a bit of a myth, at least in my experience. Direct morning sun, and then bright, indirect light for the rest of the day? That’s the sweet spot. My plant’s thriving now, and I’m pretty proud of my little experiment!
So, if your Wandering Jew looks a little sad, don’t be afraid to give it some more sun! Just keep an eye on it and make sure it doesn’t get too dried out. You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
