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Spiderwort Tradescantia

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Ephemerum
Phonetic Spelling
trad-es-KAN-tee-uh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Tradescantia is a genus of perennial plants that may have a sprawling or erect habit and belong to the spiderwort or dayflower family (Commelinaceae). There are 86 accepted species, and they are native from southern Canada to South America and have become naturalized throughout the world. Generally, they are weakly upright plants that grow in clumps in woodland areas and open fields. They can form a dense ground cover and in some areas are regarded as invasive weeds. The genus name, Tradescantia, is in honor of John Tradescant who was a plant collector and gardener for King Charles I of England. He and his son introduced these plants to Europe. 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.

These plants prefer bright, indirect light and moist, well-drained, acidic, humus soil or potting mix. They can tolerate full sun but need protection from the afternoon sun. Too much sun may cause leaf scorch. Water these plants when the top inch of the soil is dry. The hardy types can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, but the tropical and semi-tropical species are hardy from zones 9 to 12. The tropical and semi-tropical plants prefer temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Outdoor plants of this type need to be brought indoors before temperatures drop below 50 degrees. Pinching back the stems will encourage new growth and prevent leggy stems. These plants are easy to propagate from stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, division,and easily root at the stem nodes.

The stems and leaves of most of the species are somewhat succulent. The leaves are fleshy, mucilage-filled, and the leaf color ranges from purple, green, or variegated. The flowers are small, delicate, 3-petaled, saucer-shaped, and are found in shades of white, pink, purple, or blue. The blooms are short-lived, but the flowering season lasts 4 to 6 weeks. The fruit is a tiny, 3-valved capsule that splits open to release 2 or more seeds.

Species of Tradescantia are widely available and are frequently used as ornamentals or houseplants. This plant also work well mass planted along a slope, walkway or patio garden.  Its attractive foliage makes it a striking accent plant or a feature in a native or cottage garden.  They may be used in perennial beds of native and pollinator gardens. Tropical forms can be used as houseplants and in hanging containers but should be avoided in the landscape as they can become quite weedy. As a houseplant, they provide colorful foliage, delicate flowers. and cascading vines. They are easy to care for and fast-growing.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for spider mites, aphids, thrips, and mealybugs. Snails and caterpillars can damage young shoots. Too much direct sun can cause leaf scorch. Soggy and poorly drained soils can cause root rot. In cool and humid conditions, botrytis blight can occur causing a gray mold to grow on the leaves and flowers. Some species can be invasive. Choose the best variety for your climate and be aware of any invasive potential if used as a mass planting.

The leaves and sap of some species of Tradescantia can cause skin irritation or rash in people and pets. Ingestion can cause mouth or stomach irritation.  

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Flower Bonanza Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Pale Puma' (T. pallida x T. sillamontana), Tradescantia fluminensis (Inch Plant), Tradescantia hirsuticaulis (Hairystem Spiderwort), Tradescantia mundula, Tradescantia mundula variegata 'Tricolor', Tradescantia ohiensis (Smooth Spiderwort or Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart), Tradescantia sillamontana (Cobweb Spiderwort or White Velvet), Tradescantia spathacea (Boat Lily or Oyster Plant), Tradescantia subaspera (Zigzag Spiderwort), Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort), Tradescantia zebrina (Inch Plant or Zebra Plant)
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#houseplant#fall flowers#native perennial#interiorscape#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#mass planting#hanging baskets#NC native#trailing#rock garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#border front#walkway planting#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#patio#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Pale Puma' (T. pallida x T. sillamontana), Tradescantia fluminensis (Inch Plant), Tradescantia hirsuticaulis (Hairystem Spiderwort), Tradescantia mundula, Tradescantia mundula variegata 'Tricolor', Tradescantia ohiensis (Smooth Spiderwort or Ohio Spiderwort, Tradescantia pallida (Purple Heart), Tradescantia sillamontana (Cobweb Spiderwort or White Velvet), Tradescantia spathacea (Boat Lily or Oyster Plant), Tradescantia subaspera (Zigzag Spiderwort), Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia Spiderwort), Tradescantia zebrina (Inch Plant or Zebra Plant)
Tags:
#poisonous#small spaces#houseplant#fall flowers#native perennial#interiorscape#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#mass planting#hanging baskets#NC native#trailing#rock garden#pollinator plant#native wildflower#border front#walkway planting#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#container plant#poisonous if ingested#patio#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tradescantia
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Native American tribes used Virginia spiderwort for various food and medicinal purposes.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Leaf Cutting
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada, U.S.A., South America
    Distribution:
    Naturalized throughout the world
    Wildlife Value:
    The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Native Plant
    Poisonous
    Wildflower
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Mounding
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    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, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is tiny capsule that splits into when dry to release 2 or more seeds.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are small, delicate, saucer-shaped, 3-petaled with 6 yellow anthers. The inflorescences are terminal or terminal axillary. They appear as cymes and umbel-like. Depending on the species, the colors range from white, blue, purple or pink, and there are 6 yeloow anthers. Each bloom only lasts a day, but flowering lasts from 4 to 6 weeks during the summer.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Variegated
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Whorled
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are colorful and may be in shades of green, purple, pink, silver, or variegated. Depending on the species, the leaves may be long, narrow, blade-like, narrowly elliptic, or lanceolate. They may be spirally arranged or 2-ranked, They are rarely petiolate. The leaf surface may be smooth or hairy.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Zig Zags
    Stem Description:
    Most species have trailing or vining habit, and the stems are long, slender. Some species may grow upright and form clumps. The stems may be green or purple.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Contact with the leaves or sap of some species can cause minor skin irritation, itching and redness in humans and pets. If ingested, it may cause mild mouth and stomach irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Unidentified
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems