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River Spiderwort Tradescantia fluminensis

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:
  • 'Albovittata'
    White stripes on the top, purple underneath
  • ‘Lilac’
    Lilac variegated leaves
  • ‘Tricolor’
    Pink, cream and green leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated green and cream leaves
'Albovittata', ‘Lilac’, ‘Tricolor’, 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#high maintenance#hanging baskets#fast growing#aggressive#trailing#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Albovittata'
    White stripes on the top, purple underneath
  • ‘Lilac’
    Lilac variegated leaves
  • ‘Tricolor’
    Pink, cream and green leaves
  • 'Variegata'
    Variegated green and cream leaves
'Albovittata', ‘Lilac’, ‘Tricolor’, 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#high maintenance#hanging baskets#fast growing#aggressive#trailing#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#weed
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy