River Spiderwort Tradescantia fluminensis
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tradescantia albiflora
- Phonetic Spelling
- trad-es-KAN-tee-uh floo-min-EN-sis
- Description
-
Spiderwort or inch plant is an evergreen trailing herbaceous perennial groundcover in the Commelinaceae (dayflower) family. It is native to South America. 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.
Moist soil and shIt is grown for its foliage and each three petaled white flower lasts for 1 day. The stems are fleshy and hairless and Where it can be grown outdoors it will root at each node and become invasive. Variegated varieties are available.
In colder climates, it makes a good houseplant and its spreading form makes it attractive in a hanging basket though it will rarely flower. In warm climates alternatives should be considered as it is quite aggressive.
Quick ID
- Leaves are 2-ranked*, stems are trailing; sheaths closed
- Paired bracts enclose flowers that last 1 day each
- Green leaves with purplish undersides
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Considered an invasive species, noxious weed, or pest plant in many locations. Seriously affected areas include Australia, New Zealand, and the southeastern United States. Consider planting one of the native spiderworts in the left hand column. Snails and caterpillars can damage young shoots.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Albovittata'
White stripes on the top, purple underneath - ‘Lilac’
Lilac variegated leaves - 'Nanouk'
variegated foliage, green leaf has stripes of cream and pink, the undersides of the leaf are purple - 'Quadricolor'
bright green leaves striped with pale green, white, and pink - ‘Tricolor’
Pink, cream and green leaves - 'Variegata'
Variegated green and cream leaves - 'White Stripe'
bright green foliage with white variegation
- 'Albovittata'
- 'Albovittata', ‘Lilac’, 'Nanouk', 'Quadricolor', ‘Tricolor’, 'Variegata', 'White Stripe'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Albovittata'
White stripes on the top, purple underneath - ‘Lilac’
Lilac variegated leaves - 'Nanouk'
variegated foliage, green leaf has stripes of cream and pink, the undersides of the leaf are purple - 'Quadricolor'
bright green leaves striped with pale green, white, and pink - ‘Tricolor’
Pink, cream and green leaves - 'Variegata'
Variegated green and cream leaves - 'White Stripe'
bright green foliage with white variegation
- 'Albovittata'
- 'Albovittata', ‘Lilac’, 'Nanouk', 'Quadricolor', ‘Tricolor’, 'Variegata', 'White Stripe'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tradescantia
- Species:
- fluminensis
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. & S. Brazil to N. Argentina
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Cascading
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- 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:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Inflorescence is a one-sided cyme, terminal or axillary, <2 in peduncles, hidden by 2 leafy bracts. Flowers are white, <1 in, with 3 equal petals and 3 sepals, subtended by a pair of boat-shaped bracts. Rarely flowers as a houseplant.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 2-3 inch long leaves are alternate, distichate, simple, ovate-oblong, acute, blade sessile with a closed sheath. Green with purplish undersides.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stems are ascending, decumbent or trailing, rooting at nodes. Nodes are 1 inch apart, hence the common name.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
