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Spiderwort Tradescantia

Phonetic Spelling
trad-es-KAN-tee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Spiderwort genus is a native herbaceous perennial of 75 species of wildflowers in the Commelinaceae (dayflower) family. It is native from southern Canada to South America. They have become naturalized throughout the world. Generally, they are weakly upright plants that grow in clumps in woodland areas and open fields. Spiderwort gets its name from the thick, sticky secretion that is present when a stem is cut.  This substance becomes thread-like and silky when it hardens, appearing similar to a spider web.  

Provide perennial plants with protection from the afternoon sun in NC.

This plant also works well mass planted along a slope, walkway or patio garden.  Its attractive foliage makes it a striking accent plant or a feature in a native or cottage garden.  Use in perennial beds of native and pollinator gardens. Tropical forms can be used as houseplants and in hanging containers but should be avoided in the landscape as they can become quite weedy.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Snails and caterpillars can damage young shoots. 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Flower Bonanza Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Pale Puma'
    Tradescantia pallida x sillamontana hybrid - Leaves Green in Shade Purple in Sun
'Pale Puma'
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#houseplant#fall flowers#purple leaves#native perennial#interiorscape#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#mass planting#hanging baskets#NC native#trailing#rock garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#border front#walkway planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#patio#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Pale Puma'
    Tradescantia pallida x sillamontana hybrid - Leaves Green in Shade Purple in Sun
'Pale Puma'
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#houseplant#fall flowers#purple leaves#native perennial#interiorscape#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#mass planting#hanging baskets#NC native#trailing#rock garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#border front#walkway planting#partial shade tolerant#container plant#patio#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tradescantia
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native American tribes used Virginia spiderwort for various food and medicinal purposes.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, U.S.A., South America
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Horizontal
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are often 3 petaled in white, blue, purple and pink
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves can be from green narrow and grass-like to purple and variegated oval leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Lawn
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Skin irritation. Itching and redness.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unknown, but possibly oxalate crystals.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves