Dichorisandra musaica
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Dichorisandra mosaica
- Dichorisandra reginae
- Tradescantia reginae
- Description
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Queen's Spiderwort is a tropical perennial plant native to wet, tropical regions of Columbia and Peru with showy purple flowers that bloom from summer into fall and dark green evergreen leaves. At maturity, it will reach a height of 1 foot. It is often used as a houseplant in interiorscapes. In the landscape, the plant has an upright, branching form. The genus name is from the Greek dis (twice) and chorizo (to part), and anther referring to the two-cleft flowers. The species name means queenly.
Queen's Spiderwort prefers partial shade and moderately moist soil. The plant is not cold hardy and tolerates temperatures down to 20 degrees F. To propagate the plant, divide in the Spring and take stem cuttings in the Summer.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests. If grown indoors, avoid over watering.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dichorisandra
- Species:
- musaica
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western Columbia and Nothern Peru
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees, butterflies, and birds.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Small, dense raceme spikes of very pale purple three-stellate flowers from June to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- The dark-green, simple leaves are alternate and purple, flecked with silver, on the underside. They are linear with entire margins and parallel venation.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Songbirds
