Wandering Jew Plant: How to Propagate

I bought 2 wandering jews. They died in the middle but still have stringers that are pretty healthy. I’ve cut them off now what do I do with them? Do I put them in water to root or put root stimulator on them and put them in dirt. Your advice would be very much appreciated. Thank you, Terry

Hi Terry,

 
Wandering Jew plants are propagated using stem cuttings. Be sure to remove all leaves within two inches of the bottom of the 4”- 6” cutting. Try to locate a node on the stem and cut right below it. A node is a small bump on the stem where a new leaf will grow. During propagation, this is where the new roots develop. Sometimes you can’t locate the node, so just be sure you are taking the cutting from a mature, healthy stem.
 
Wandering jew plants are easily propagated in water. Remember to remove any leaves at the bottom of the stem that might get into the water. I like to use a clear glass jar so I can watch the roots develop; once the roots are a few inches long it’s time to plant the cuttings in soil. It usually takes about 2-5 weeks for roots to appear. Keep the water level steady, refilling the water when necessary. Using several rooted stem clippings per pot helps the new plant become bushy and full. 
 
I find that rooting the plants in water is usually more successful and certainly easier than planting the clippings directly into soil. If you do want to plant directly in soil, use a 3 or 4 inch pot with drip holes in the bottom. Again, use 4”-6” clippings that have had their bottom leaves removed. Dip the cut ends in a very small amount of rooting hormone. Once planted and watered, place the container in a clear plastic bag and seal the top. This create a mini greenhouse effect. You won’t have to water and new growth should develop in about 4 weeks. Once you see the new growth, you can remove the plastic bag and place your new plant bright indirect light.
These plants are considered poisonous and should be kept away from pets and children. Read more about common houseplants that are poisonous in Don’t Feed Me To Your Cat! A Guide to Poisonous Houseplants.