Tradescantia, also known as wandering Jew or spiderwort, is a tender perennial plant that is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala. It is not known for being particularly cold hardy and is typically grown in mild climates where it does not freeze. In colder regions, it is often treated as an annual plant or grown as a houseplant.
In USDA hardiness zones 9-11, where temperatures rarely drop below freezing, Tradescantia can be grown outdoors year-round without much concern for winter damage. It thrives in these mild climates and can be used as a colorful groundcover or as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or containers.
However, in colder regions where winter temperatures regularly dip below freezing, Tradescantia is not reliably cold hardy and may not survive the winter. Frost can damage the leaves and stems, and prolonged freezing temperatures can kill the plant entirely.
I live in the Midwest, where winters can be quite harsh, and I have found that Tradescantia does not survive the cold temperatures outdoors. I have tried growing it in my garden as a groundcover, but it always dies back in the winter and does not return in the spring. This experience has led me to conclude that it is not cold hardy enough for this region.
If you live in a colder climate and still want to enjoy the beauty of Tradescantia, you can grow it as an annual plant. Simply plant it in the spring after the danger of frost has passed and enjoy its vibrant foliage throughout the growing season. You can then replace it with new plants the following year.
Alternatively, if you have a frost-free indoor space or a greenhouse, you can grow Tradescantia as a houseplant. It thrives in bright, indirect light and can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. Just be sure to bring it indoors before the first frost and provide it with the appropriate care and conditions to keep it healthy.
While Tradescantia is not known for its cold hardiness, it can be grown outdoors in mild climates where freezing temperatures are rare. In colder regions, it is best treated as an annual or grown as a houseplant.
