Spiderwort Flowers – Tips For Growing And The Care Of Spiderwort Plant

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Tradescantia virginiana

Virginia Spiderwort is a herbaceous clump-forming perennial in the dayflower family that is native to the eastern and central USA and is found in the Piedmont of NC. The plants spread by underground stolons forming clumps and grow 2-3 feet tall by 1 foot wide. It can be found in moist prairies, fertile woodlands, open woods, meadows, hillsides, stony bluffs, stream banks, and along roadsides.

In spring the 3-petaled flowers appear and last for a day but new ones are produced daily in terminal clusters. Flower colors range from blue to purple to pink. Once they have finished blooming cut back the stems. The foliage may die back in the heat of the summer but returns in late summer to fall and often reblooms.

Virginia Spiderwort prefers moist to wet fertile sites but adapts to average garden soils in sun to shade. Provide additional water during dry periods. Use in a naturalized or woodland area, along a stream or pond, in a rain garden or the border of a native/pollinator garden.

• Attributes: Genus: Tradescantia Species: virginiana Family: commelinaceae Uses (Ethnobotany): Native Americans used the plant medicinally. Life Cycle: Perennial Country Or Region Of Origin: Eastern and central United States Distribution: AL , CA , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Wildlife Value: Flowers attract bees. Edibility: Leaves can be eaten raw mixed in salads. Teas can be made from the plant. Dimensions: Height: 1 ft. 5 in. – 3 ft. 0 in. Width: 1 ft. 0 in. – 1 ft. 6 in.

• Whole Plant Traits: Plant Type: Native Plant Wildflower Habit/Form: Arching Clumping Spreading Growth Rate: Medium Maintenance: Medium Texture: Medium

• Cultural Conditions: Light: Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours) Soil Texture: Clay High Organic Matter Loam (Silt) Sand Soil Drainage: Good Drainage Moist Occasionally Wet NC Region: Coastal Mountains Piedmont USDA Plant Hardiness Zone: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

• Fruit: Display/Harvest Time: Summer Fruit Type: Capsule Fruit Description: The seed capsules split open into 3 parts, each releasing seeds.

• Flowers: Flower Color: Blue Pink Purple/Lavender White Flower Inflorescence: Cyme Flower Bloom Time: Fall Spring Summer Flower Petals: 2-3 rays/petals Flower Description: 3-petaled flower with delicate spider web-like filaments surrounding the anthers in terminal clusters. Blooms in spring and again in fall.

• Leaves: Leaf Color: Green Leaf Arrangement: Whorled Leaf Shape: Linear Leaf Margin: Entire Hairs Present: No Leaf Length: > 6 inches Leaf Width: 1-3 inches Leaf Description: Up to 12 inch long and 1 inch wide dark to olive-green leaves have parallel venation. They are linear with a wide base and pointed tip. Margins are smooth.

• Stem: Stem Color: Green Stem Is Aromatic: No Stem Cross Section: Round Stem Surface: Smooth (glabrous) Stem Description: The rounded stalks are either single or branched at the base and glabrous, although scattered long hairs may occur where the leaves wrap around the stems

• Landscape: Landscape Location: Naturalized Area Pond Woodland Landscape Theme: Native Garden Pollinator Garden Rain Garden Design Feature: Border Attracts: Bees Butterflies Pollinators

Tradescantia virginiana

NC State University and N.C. A&T State University work in tandem, along with federal, state and local governments, to form a strategic partnership called N.C. Cooperative Extension, which staffs local offices in all 100 counties and with the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status.

Spiderwort Flowers – Tips For Growing And The Care Of Spiderwort Plant

Yet another wildflower favorite and must-have for the garden is the spiderwort (Tradescantia) plant. These interesting flowers not only offer something different to the landscape but are extremely easy to grow and care for.

So how did such a lovely plant get such an unusual name? While no one may know for certain, some people think the plant was named for the way its flowers hang down like spiders. Others believe it comes from its medicinal properties, as it was once used to treat spider bites.

Regardless of how the plant got its name, spiderwort is well worth having in the garden.

About Spiderwort Flowers

The three-petaled spiderwort flowers are usually blue to purple, but may also be pink, white, or red. They only remain open for a day (blooming in morning hours and closing at night), but the multiple flowers will continually bloom for up to four to six weeks in summer. The plant’s foliage consists of arching grass-like leaves that will grow about a foot or two (0.5 m.) in height, depending on the variety.

Since spiderwort plants grow in clumps, they’re great for use in borders, edging, woodland gardens, and even containers. You can even grow spiderwort as an indoor plant if garden space is limited.

Growing Spiderworts

Growing spiderworts is easy and you’ll find the plants to be quite resilient. They’re hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9 and will tolerate more than what one would expect. Spiderworts typically grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil, though I have found the plants to be quite forgiving in the garden and tolerant of many soil conditions. Spiderwort plants do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist.

Spiderworts can be grown from purchased plants or propagated through division, cuttings, or seed. Plant them in spring about 4 to 6 inches (10-15 cm.) deep and 8 to 12 inches (20.5-30.5 cm.) apart. Stem cuttings in summer or fall will easily root in the soil. Seeds can be sown outdoors in either fall or early spring and should be lightly covered.

If starting spiderwort seeds indoors, do so about eight weeks prior to transplanting outside. It should take anywhere from 10 days to six weeks for germination to occur. Hardened seedlings can be transplanted outdoors about a week after the last spring frost.

Spiderwort as an Indoor Plant

You can grow spiderwort indoors too as long as suitable conditions are given. Provide the plant with either a soilless mix or loam-based potting compost and keep it in bright filtered light. You should also pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth.

Allow it to spend warm spring and summer days outdoors, if feasible. During its active growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every four weeks. Water sparingly in winter.

Care of Spiderwort Plants

These plants like to be kept fairly moist, so water regularly, especially if you’re growing them in containers. Cutting the plants back once flowering has ceased can often promote a second bloom and will help prevent re-seeding. Cut the stems back about 8 to 12 inches (20.5-30.5 cm.) from the ground.

Since spiderwort is a vigorous grower, it’s probably a good idea to divide the plants in spring every three years or so.