Question
Hi, I have a large wandering jew plant that is @ 2 years old and it looks like the leaves underneath the long flowing arms(thats the only way i know to describe it.) on the plant are starting to die. Is there any way i can prune it to make it look healthier? I love my plant and I want it to be as healthy as can be. Thank You, Jill

Answer
The Bachmans website (http://www.bachmans.com/retail/tipsheets/indoor_plants/TradescantiaandRelatives....) lists many basics for growing the easy-as-pie Wandering Jew ("Tradescantia" to botanists).

Having cared for 2 years for your Tradescantia, you are seeing that it has something wrong - but you're not sure.

Note please Bachmans' advice on "repotting" and I quote:  "After a year or so, Tradescantias usually become leggy and less attractive."

Sound familiar?

Bachmans puts the solution this way: "You can either cut your old plant back to within 3 inches of the container and let it regrow or start a new plant with tip cuttings from the old plant."  These are VERY easy to root in water; on a scale of 1 to 10 they are in the NEGATIVE integer category, that's how foolproof they are.  Cut, put in a glass, and just add water.  Place on windowsill and wait for roots to come.

Or you can take the whole plant out of the pot and use a scissors to cut around the rootball and soil.  Re-pot in new soil.  Keep this moist for the next 3 days at least - do not forget or it will wilt and never be the same.  And I will feel awful.

Any questions?