Species spiderwort
blue flowers with dark-blue filaments, yellow anthers, green buds, lime-green leaves and stems

spiderwort

Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Purple Profusion'

Spiderwort is an intriguing and colorful perennial plant that is easy to grow and care for. It forms a dense mound of dark green foliage with large, lance-like leaves. The most striking feature of the plant is its abundance of bright, star-shaped lavender to purple blooms. It often grows in clumps, reaching a height of around 20 to 30 inches. It enjoys full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-drained soil. Spiderwort is an excellent cut flower, as well as a great accent for gardens, borders, and containers. With its long bloom period from spring through summer, it can add a vibrant and cheerful touch to any landscape.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Deep purple Flowers

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

purple

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Indoors:

Yes

Care Level:

Moderate

watering

Spiderwort plants don't require a lot of water to thrive. Watering should be done once per week, or when the top inch (2.5 cm) of soil is dry. It is best to water the Spiderwort deeply, giving it a thorough soaking about twice a month. When watering Spiderworts, it is important to try to keep the foliage as dry as possible to help prevent the growth of fungal diseases. If the foliage does become wet, it should be allowed to dry out fully before watering again.

sunlight

Spiderwort plants usually require full sun to part shade for 6 to 8 hours per day. When given adequate sunlight, these plants will produce purple flowers along the length of its upright stems. When grown in more sun, plants may even develop a purple blush on the foliage. If given too much sunlight, the leaves may become scorched, so it is important to provide adequate shade in warmer climates. As for specific times, the best window to receive sunlight would be from 10am to 4pm with a few hours of shade in the afternoon if temperatures are high.

pruning

Pruning should be done to remove dead, diseased, and injured stems, as these can spread diseases and weaken the plant. Pruning can also be done to shape the plant, as well as to encourage new growth. Generally, only about 1-third of each stem should be removed. This will promote fuller, bushier growth and keep them looking their best. If the plant is looking overgrown, then more aggressive pruning can be done to reduce the size and shape. However, it is important to pay attention to the time of year when pruning. Too much pruning done in late summer or fall can cause the plant to go dormant earlier than necessary. To ensure that your spiderwort plants stay healthy and vibrant, it’s best to wait until late spring/early summer to perform any heavy pruning.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Purple Profusion' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group) 'Purple Profusion' typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map

FAQ

Do spiderwort plants require a specific soil type?

Spiderwort plants generally grow best in soils that are rich in organic matter and have good drainage. Sandy soils with a pH of 6-7 and plenty of added compost or manure are ideal for spiderwort. Spiderwort can tolerate poor soils, but optimal growth will be achieved in softer, loamy soils with more organic content. It is important to avoid overly wet soils as this can cause root rot or other problems with the plant.

Do spiderwort plants have any unique growth patterns?

Spiderwort plants have a unique growth pattern, called "spiderlings," where many small, baby-like plants grow out of the stems, just above the soil line. As the baby plants get bigger, they drop off and take root on their own. This helps the parent plant spread and propagate quickly and easily. Spiderworts also have pointed leaves with veins that run in a web-like pattern which is quite unique.

Are spiderwort flowers fragrant?

No, spiderwort flowers are not typically fragrant. The flowers have a small, star-like shape and can be found in a variety of colors, including purple, white and lavender. The flowers are known for their long-lasting beauty, but are not typically considered to be fragrant.

Could spiderwort be used as a border plant in a garden?

Yes, spiderwort can be used as a border plant in a garden. These bright and vibrant plants make ideal borders because they can grow up to two feet in height and have a mound-like shape. Additionally, when the purplish-blue flowers bloom, they create a stunning effect that attracts pollinators and beautifies any garden. Spiderwort is also known to be a hardy plant that can tolerate a range of soil and lighting conditions, which makes it an ideal choice for garden borders.

Could spiderwort be grown as a houseplant?

Yes, spiderwort is a great option for a houseplant! Spiderwort is a tiny, low-maintenance perennial that is native to North America. It has small clusters of three-petaled flowers that come in various shades of blue, purple, pink, and white. This plant grows quickly and has the potential to bloom multiple times throughout the year when given the right environment. It can easily be grown as an indoor houseplant with shallow pots, a bright location, and moist soil. With proper care, spiderwort will happily add a pop of color and texture to any indoor room or office space.

Do spiderwort plants spread rapidly?

Yes, spiderwort plants spread rapidly. They are considered to be somewhat invasive and are capable of quickly taking over an area. The flowers of the spiderwort plant can self-pollinate, creating more flowers and more seeds, which helps the plant spread. Spiderwort plant roots also help it spread by growing deeper than those of regular plants, allowing them to capture nutrients from further down in the soil. Additionally, the spiderwort plant spreads through rhizomes, which is an underground stem that sends up shoots above the ground. All of these mechanisms combined make spiderwort a very fast spreading plant.

Is spiderwort suitable for rooftop gardens?

Yes, spiderwort is suitable for rooftop gardens because it is drought tolerant and easily adaptable to a wide range of soil types. It grows best in partial shade, does not require much fertilizer or maintenance, and is tolerant of cold temperatures. Spiderwort is also a low-maintenance flowering plant, meaning it will add color and interest to a rooftop garden with minimal effort required.