Tradescantia longipes typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.
spiderwort
Tradescantia longipes
Spiderwort is a perennial wildflower native to Central America. It has narrow, lance-shaped leaves and tall, branching stems topped with three-petalled, star-shaped flowers. The flowers come in colors ranging from bright purple to near-white, often with striped petals. It grows best in moist, loamy soil and full sun, and blooms from late spring through summer. It is a good choice for wild gardens, cottage gardens, and naturalized areas. Its long-blooming flowers add attractive color and texture to garden beds and borders, and it is also attractive to the pollinators it supports.
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
4 - 9
Flowers:
Purple, bluish-purple Flowers
Sun:
part shade,full sun,part sun/part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,purple
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Indoors:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Spiderwort (Tradescantia longipes) prefers to grow in moist, but not waterlogged soil in order to thrive. It should be watered regularly once or twice a week in the summer months and once a month in the winter months. The amount of water depends on the soil and humidity—in dry conditions, for example, you may need to water more frequently—but a general rule of thumb is to water the soil until it is moist but not soggy in order to avoid salt build-up and root-rot. Avoid constantly damp soil, as it can lead to fungal problems.
sunlight
Spiderwort is a species of plant that places a great emphasis on direct sunlight. As such, it is ideal for areas that receive full sun between 6 and 8 hours of direct sunlight each day. While spiderwort can tolerate some shade, ideally, it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day to thrive. The more sun it has, the better it will grow.
pruning
Spiderwort plants generally do not require much pruning and can usually thrive without it. If desired, pruning may be carried out in early spring or late winter before the plant begins actively growing. Pruning can be carried out using sharp pruning shears to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged stems and leaves. Spiderwort plants can also be thinned to promote better air circulation or to control their size and shape. Always make sure to remove no more than 1/3 of the total plant.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Starts Flowering
Tradescantia longipes 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.
