4. A Temperature too High or too Low
The wandering dude feels at home in tropical and temperate climates, preferring warm weather and humidity. Sudden fluctuations stress the plant out, leading to leggy growth. A consistent temperature range between or around 60-75°F (15-24°C) will ensure healthy growth.
While this tough plant can tolerate extreme temperatures below 32 F (0 C) and above 100 F (38 C) for a while, it’s best to maintain a steady range. Start caring for your tradescantia when your thermometer dips below 50 F (10 C) or hits over 85 F (29 C).
Avoid placing the plant near drafts, heaters, or air conditioners. You can also use a thermometer to monitor the temperature around your plant and make adjustments as needed to ensure a stable environment.
This nomadic species mostly cannot tolerate frost; this is why if you live in a cold climate, it’s best to overwinter it indoors.
5. Maybe it is Rootbound
Famous for its aggressive growth, at some point, your wandering dude will likely outgrow its container, making it root-bound and hindering its nutrient uptake, thus making it leggy. Simply re-pot to a larger, spacious container with a well-draining, organic-rich potting mix to promote a lush growth habit.
If you want to utilize the same pot again, divide the rootball of your mother plant into 2 to 4 portions, providing each section enough roots and top growth equally, and plant them back in separate pots. It’s a nice way to have more of this amazing plant in your home.
6. Aging causes Leggy Growth
If your wandering dude becomes scraggly and lanky, it’s clearly time for a good haircut, as it can be due to aging; old growth in this popular plant often loses lackluster, and a strategic prune may help put back the bounce in your dude.
Identify the stems that are old and aging, excessively long or sparse, and make clean cuts just above a node (the point where leaves attach to the stem). This will help stimulate the plant to produce new shoots and leaves from the node, leading to fuller foliage.
Don’t forget to sterilize or thoroughly clean your pruning shears to prevent disease transmission, and read our comprehensive post that will guide you on growing a bushier wandering dude.
If you follow these steps, your wandering dude will come back to life handsome and happy! Don’t forget to share your own stories with this roving plant via the comment section bel
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