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Tradescantia ohiensis is often confused with:
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Purple Profusion' Tradescantia 'Purple Profusion'
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Trillium pusillum Close up of flower
Viola pedata Viola pedata
Viola sororia Viola papilionacea
Tradescantia ohiensis has some common insect problems:
Slugs & Snails on Ornamental Plants

Smooth Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Tradescantia canaliculata
  • Tradescantia foliosa
  • Tradescantia incarnata
  • Tradescantia ohiensis var. foliosa
  • Tradescantia reflexa
Phonetic Spelling
trad-es-KAN-tee-uh oh-high-EN-sis
Description

Smooth spiderwort is a clump-forming perennial in the Commelinaceae (dayflower) family native to central and eastern North America.  This native perennial grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and a width of 2 feet and is best known for its purple to rose-blue, 3-petaled flowers.  In the wild, it is found growing in meadows, along roads, and along woodland margins. 

Each flower blooms for a single day, typically opening in the morning and in the heat of the day, the flowers will shrivel when touched. Its grass-like leaves are long with a lengthwise fold or groove. It can be grown in shade, however, the blooms will not be as profuse as when placed in full sun.  While it grows in a variety of soils, it will be at its most attractive when located in moist, sandy soil.  

Cutting back in mid-summer to a height of 6 to 12 inches may lead to a fall bloom, and will also encourage growth.     Being a self-seeding perennial, with the right conditions, it can be somewhat weedy.  It can also spread by offshoots.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious issues.  Clumps can become quite large, division may be necessary.  Snails sometimes damage this plant.  Deer and rabbits occasionally eat the foliage.  By mid-summer, the foliage can become somewhat unattractive due to its tendency to sprawl.

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#drought tolerant#native perennial#shade garden#NC native#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#self-seeding#grass-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#edible leaves#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#larval host plant#food source summer#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#edible stems#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#walkway planting#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#roadside#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#heat intolerant#perennial#weed#patio#meadow#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#purple#drought tolerant#native perennial#shade garden#NC native#herbaceous perennial#long bloom time#self-seeding#grass-like#cutting garden#pollinator plant#edible leaves#native wildflower#clumping#naturalized area#larval host plant#food source summer#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#edible stems#food source nectar#food source pollen#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#walkway planting#rocky soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#bee friendly#roadside#Audubon#shallow soil tolerant#heat intolerant#perennial#weed#patio#meadow#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tradescantia
    Species:
    ohiensis
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and central North america
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC. NE, NH, MNJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
    Wildlife Value:
    Attractive to native bees. Butterflies are also attracted.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Colorful
    Wildlife Larval Host
    Edibility:
    The leaves and stems are edible.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    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
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Green
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    The fruits are a light green capsule that displays from May to August. They are surrounded by 3 green bracts and will mature 2-3 weeks after flowering.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are 3 petaled, have 6 bright yellow anthers and fine violet hairs near the base. Deep blue to rose blue with yellow stamens, 1.5" showy blooms from April to July. They typically open in the morning hours.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Waxy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The dark blue-green leaves are grass like in form. They form a groove with their lengthwise fold. The foliage can become less attractive later on in the summer. The base of the leaf wraps around the stem.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Branched and erect, the hairless stems have a purple tinge.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rain Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy