Cobweb Spiderwort Tradescantia sillamontana
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Tradescantia pexata
- Phonetic Spelling
- trad-es-KAN-tee-uh see-yuh-MON-tah-nuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Cobweb spiderwort is a low growing perennial groundcover plant that is native to dry regions in Mexico and is a member of the spiderwort or dayflower family (Commelinaceae). It is densely branched, has prostrate and ascending stems, and grows 6 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. The specific epithet, sillamontana, means "of Cerro de la Silla." This references the mountain where this plant is native that is located in northeastern Mexico in the city of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon.
This plant is easy to grow and prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun with good soil moisture. When located in an area that receives full sun in the heat of the day, the leaves can burn. It can grow in a range of soil and pH conditions; however, it prefers well-drained acidic, loamy soils. As a houseplant, it should be grown in bright, filtered light, and preferably use a loam based potting mix. Water the plant moderately during the growing season and sparingly during the winter. It is winter hardy in zones 10 to 12. Pinching the tips back will promote a more bushy habit. It can take on a trailing habit if the tips are not pinched. After flowering, cutting back the plant will promote a second bloom, as well as preventing self-seeding. This plant is drought and humidity tolerant. It can be propagated by stem cuttings.
The cobweb spiderwort has stems that are densely branched, fleshy, and can grow up to 16 inches long. The stems and the leaves are covered with white hairs. The leaves are a dull olive-green to grayish-green, ovate, up to 2 inches long and 1 inch wide, and have a purplish hue in full sun. The undersides of the leaves are reddish-purple. The flowers appear in the summer and are solitary, bright purplish-pink, 3-petaled, and measure about 0.75 inches wide.
Although considered a tropical perennial, it can also be grown as an annual groundcover in locations that are in cooler hardiness zones.This plant works wonderfully in containers, hanging baskets,or as a garden accent.
Quick ID Hints:
- stems densely branched and covered with dense white hairs
- leaves are in a precise geometric shape, olive-green to grayish-green, ovate, 2 inches long, 1 inch wide, covered with white hair
- solitary pink-purple to magenta, 3-petaled bloom, less than 1 inch wide
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, spider mites, thrips, mealybugs, snails, and caterpillars. Root rot can occur from overwatering. Leaf scorch can result from too much direct sun. Reseeding can be an issue that is best avoided by cutting the plant back after flowering is completed.
Be aware that the Cobweb Spiderwort is toxic to humans and pets, if ingested. Keep this plant out of reach of children and pets. This plant can also cause skin redness and irritation from handling. Wear protective gloves.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Brown Hill'
green foliage with purple undersides, tinge of brown on the stems - 'Gold Stripes'
variegated foliage, dense silvery hairy foliage with creamy stripes, lavender flowers - 'Hogan's Hero"
10 inches tall, 18 inches wide, clumping, green leaves covered with thick white hairs, small lavender flowers in late summerr - 'Variegata'
bright green leaves striped with white and tiny white hairs
- 'Brown Hill'
- 'Brown Hill', 'Gold Stripes', 'Hogan's Hero", 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Brown Hill'
green foliage with purple undersides, tinge of brown on the stems - 'Gold Stripes'
variegated foliage, dense silvery hairy foliage with creamy stripes, lavender flowers - 'Hogan's Hero"
10 inches tall, 18 inches wide, clumping, green leaves covered with thick white hairs, small lavender flowers in late summerr - 'Variegata'
bright green leaves striped with white and tiny white hairs
- 'Brown Hill'
- 'Brown Hill', 'Gold Stripes', 'Hogan's Hero", 'Variegata'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tradescantia
- Species:
- sillamontana
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Mexico
- Distribution:
- Introduced: Italy and Spain
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Easy to Grow
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Perennial
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Prostrate
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Solitary
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are solitary, purplish-pink or magenta, three-petaled, and appear in the terminal leaf axils. Blooms occurs during the summer.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Variegated
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Velvety
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are olive-green to grayish-green and sometimes have a blush of purple. They are covered with dense, gray/white cobweb-type hairs making it appear almost silvery in the sunlight. The base of the leaf clasps the stem. The leaves measure 2 inches long and 1 inch wide. The leave are arranged in 2 ranks. Each leaf is 180 degrees across from the other leaf.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Hairy
- Stem Bud Scales:
- No scales, covered in hair
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The fleshy, succulent, thick stems that are covered with white hairs. The stems are densely branched and can zigzag.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested by humans or pets, it can cause mouth and stomach irritation. In cats, ingestion can cause diarrhea and lethargy. Contact with this plant can cause skin irritation and redness.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice