Species prairie spiderwort

prairie spiderwort

Tradescantia bracteata

Prairie Spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) is a perennial herb native to the central United States. It is an example of one of the many species of the widely distributed spiderwort genus (Tradescantia). The plant features slender, succulent green stems covered in small, oval-shaped leaves with a bluish tinged cast. During its blooming season (spring and summer), this species features red, white, or purple flowers with impressive three-petal blossoms. Prairie Spiderwort is easy to grow and is drought tolerant, making it a fantastic landscaping choice for residential and commercial properties alike.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 9

Flowers:

Rose to purple Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,purple,pink,white

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The prairie spiderwort should be watered on a regular basis when the soil is dry to the touch. During the spring and summer months, water the soil every 5-7 days to keep it moist. During the fall and winter months, water the soil once every 10-15 days. It is important to avoid over-watering this plant, as this can cause root rot. To avoid this, allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out before watering again.

sunlight

Prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) is an herbaceous plant that requires between 4 and 7 hours of direct sunlight per day in order to flower and grow optimally. The best location for this type of plant is an area of the garden that receives full sunlight in the morning and early afternoon, and then a few hours of dappled shade in the late afternoon. In some cases, Prairie Spiderwort can tolerate full sun for the entire day, although this will typically deplete the soil’s nutrients faster and require more frequent watering. In regions with exceptionally hot summers, partial shade may be desirable during the hottest hours of the day.

pruning

Prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia bracteata) is best pruned in late winter or early spring just before the start of the growing season. Pruning should be done by cutting back the top of the plant to around 3 inches from the ground to promote a denser compact growth habit. The stems can then be divided to promote thicker foliage and minimize the possibility of wind damage. Depending on the severity of the pruning, the plant may flower again in the same season or take a few weeks to fill back in. To maintain the desired shape, deadheading spent flower stalks after flowering can help keep the plant looking its best.

Season

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

Tradescantia bracteata typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Tradescantia bracteata typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map