Spider Lily Tradescantia virginiana

Virginia Spiderwort is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial native of Ontario to the east-central and eastern United States. It is found in the Piedmont region of North Carolina. This plant spreads by underground rhizomes forming erect clumps and grows 1.5 to 3 feet tall and 1 to 1.5 feet wide. It can be found in moist prairies, fertile woodlands, open woods, meadows, hillsides, stony bluffs, stream banks, and roadsides. It is a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). The specific epithet, virginiana, means "of Virginia." 

Virginia spiderwort prefers moist to wet fertile sites but adapts to average garden soils in sun to shade. Provide the plant with additional water during dry periods. Deadheading the faded flowers will encourage a second flowering in the late summer. The plant is winter hardy in zones 4 to 9. It can be propagated by division or seed. 

The leaves are arching, long, narrow, up to 1 foot long, 1-inch wide, dark to olive green, and they fold lengthwise and form a groove. The flowers are blue-violet, 3-petaled, 1-2 inches in diameter, and have yellow stamens. In the spring, the flowers begin to bloom and will appear in the morning and last only for a day. New flowers are produced daily in terminal clusters. This plant only produces a few flowers at a time, and occasionally white flowers can occur. The flowers will continue to bloom from March to early July. Once they have finished blooming, it is best to cut back the stems. The foliage may die back in the heat of the summer but returns in late summer to fall and often reblooms. After flowering, a seed capsule appears and contains tiny brown seeds.

This native species has become threatened by the destruction of its native habitats as well as by collection of these plants in the wild. They are becoming less common in the Carolinas. Gardeners should not collect these plants in the wild. The plants purchased for your landscape should be nursery propagated.

This long-blooming plant would add interest to a native garden, woodland setting, or shade garden. It may be used in naturalized areas. along a stream or pond, in a rain garden or the border of a pollinator garden.

Quick ID Hints:  

• the central stem is round, smooth, but it may have scattered long hairs where the leaf wraps around the stem
• linear, dark to olive green leaves, 12 inches long, 1-inch wide, entire margins
• two leaf-like bracts up to 6-inches long and 0.5 inches aide
• blue-violet, 3-petaled flower with 6 yellow stamens, spidery violet hairs

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The Virginia spiderwort does not have any serious insect or disease issues. Snails can sometimes damage the new growth. By summer, the foliage has a sprawling habit and is less attractive. This species can spread easily by seed and may need to be controlled. 

The Virginia spiderwort is reportedly both edible and poisonous. Most species of Tradescantia are mildly toxic to humans and pets, if ingested. They also tend to cause skin irritation upon contact. Exercise caution before eating any part of a wild plant and wear protective glove when handling this plant. 

More information on Tradescantia.