Just keep pinching and sticking them into the dirt.

More light, first of all. I can see by the color and habit that yours is in need.

Then, yes, pinching and returning the cuttings to the parent container.

Josh

If always inside, try a bit closer to a window &/or up, off of the floor.

More light it is! What are the things specifically that indicate the need for more light? Are the internodes too long? What color should it be if it is getting sufficient light?

Gabe

It's a bit etiolated, compared to a specimen in more light, & would be more purple in more light, ranging to almost solid red in tons of direct light. Not necessary for more light, depends on the look you want. This plant will adapt to anything. Tons of pics of it in various exposures here:

http://allthingsplants.com/plants/view/79304/Inch-Plant-Tradescantia-zebrina/

thanks for making me look up the word etiolated. Fantastic word =)

I'm in Florida and mine grows under a large oak tree. Gets full morning sun and very hot, bright afternoon. Very purple and grows like crazy. Pieces have grown out of the pot and rooted in the ground. They can take good light.

Jane

the one on the right is an east facing window with lots of morning sun. The other is a north facing window.

It would be even better if you could raise them to the window sill level, she wouldnt stretch for more sun.

i think it looks beautiful!

Your plant looks great! It's definitely on its way to becoming super lush. I personally don't understand how anyone is able to pinch the stems and put them in the soil. I never have luck with this; they always die. I have to cut them, root them in water, then add them to the soil. Not sure what I'm doing wrong...

Either way, your plant looks awesome!

I agree oxford_pictionary! I've lost so many cuttings by just pinching and putting in pot. I root them as well, then stick them in.

Thanks! When taking a cutting from this plant it's important to cut just beneath a node. The node is where the roots will come. I have never rooted anything in water. I have had pretty good success with rooting them in plain 'ol soil. Clip it, strip it, and stick it. Easy peeeezy =)

When the squirrels dig around in my pots, bits of this end up on the ground, taking root. Try laying cut pieces on the surface. If several nodes take root that way, like they can on the ground, you'll have several new tips growing, in addition to the tip already on the cut piece. Multiplies VERY fast when that happens.

Also, removing the newest growth at the tip will force a side branch to form, often more than 1, another way to increase the overall mass, number of growing tips.

Any updates regarding your WJ? I would love to see what it looks like a year later. Here is mine. It fell off of it's pedestal and was turned upside down when the storm hit so I am sitting it on this step ladder till the weather calms down. It appears to love all this sun and rain it's getting. The purple is showcasing more within the stripes. So I will possibly make a new home on the patio floor with a sturdy pedestal soon. I like when a few leggy pieces stick out.