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
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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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
