Wandering Jew

Tradescantia fluminensis

Houseplant
Invasive risk (outdoors, warm climates)

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Toxic to pets

Hazardous parts

sap: contact irritant, foliage: irritant if ingested

Preparation

not applicable: this plant is not a food crop

Hazard type

contact dermatitis, mouth/stomach irritation if ingested

Hazard route

skin contact with sap, or ingestion

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

Causes contact dermatitis in humans and pets from handling the sap, and mouth/stomach irritation if ingested. Also flagged as an invasive groundcover outside cultivation in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and the southeastern United States: a landscape-management concern distinct from its toxicity.

Patent / trademark

not applicable

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Look-alike warning

Could be mistaken for Tradescantia zebrina (PlotAndPetal's separate entry), which also carries the common name 'Inch Plant'. To tell them apart: Leaf pattern: this species has plain green leaves; T. zebrina has distinctive silver-striped leaves.. A plant labeled 'Inch Plant' at a nursery could be either species: check the scientific name or leaf pattern before assuming which guide applies.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: Specific USDA hardiness zone range not given in the source used; grown as a houseplant or, in frost-free/warm climates, outdoors as groundcover.
Water needs: moderate moist, well-drained soil; tolerates full sun with afternoon shade or bright indirect light
Mature size: 6-9 in tall, 9 in-2 ft wide; trailing and creeping evergreen herbaceous perennial groundcover.
Family: Commelinaceae (spiderwort family)
Where it comes from: Southeast and Southern Brazil to Northern Argentina; also Paraguay and Uruguay.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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