Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
A resilient native wildflower producing clusters of three-petaled blue to purple flowers that open in the morning and close by afternoon. This easy-to-grow perennial forms attractive clumps of grass-like foliage and self-seeds readily to create natural colonies. The mucilaginous stems and leaves were traditionally used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes.
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
2-3 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Spiderwort in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 native-wildflower →Zone Map
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Spiderwort · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
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: Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Dry, Occasionally Wet. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division, Seed, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
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. The mature capsule splits into 3-valved sections. Each capsule is 4 to 6 mm in size and releases 3 to 6 brown seeds.
Color: Green. Type: Capsule. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Harvest time: Summer
Edibility: The leaves and stems are edible, fresh or cooked.
Storage & Preservation
Fresh spiderwort leaves and stems are best stored in the refrigerator in a breathable container or damp paper towel, keeping them at 32-40°F with moderate humidity for 3-5 days shelf life. For preservation, dry the stems and leaves in a warm, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight for use in herbal infusions. Alternatively, freeze fresh sprigs in ice cube trays with minimal water, or prepare a simple herbal extract by steeping dried material in alcohol for long-term storage of the mucilaginous compounds traditionally valued for medicinal applications.
History & Origin
Origin: Ontario to Central and Eastern United States
Advantages
- +Attracts: Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators
- +Edible: The leaves and stems are edible, fresh or cooked.
Companion Plants
Wild Bergamot, Black-eyed Susan, and Purple Coneflower are the strongest pairings here — all three share spiderwort's preference for well-drained soil in the 6.0–7.5 pH range and bloom on an overlapping late-spring-to-summer schedule. That staggered succession keeps pollinators cycling through the bed past any single plant's peak, and the wasp and ladybeetle traffic that follows does real work suppressing the aphid flushes spiderwort attracts on its new growth. Wild Ginger earns a spot for a different reason: it spreads as a low groundcover under spiderwort's 2–3-foot stems, blocking weed germination without competing for vertical light or water at the same soil depth.
Mint is the clearest plant to exclude — its runners spread 12–18 inches per season and will crowd spiderwort's root zone before you notice it's happening. Black walnut is a harder constraint: it produces juglone in its roots and decomposing leaf litter, a compound toxic enough to kill black raspberry outright. Spiderwort isn't in the most sensitive category, but there's no upside to siting a new planting inside the root spread of an established walnut.
Plant Together
Wild Bergamot
Attracts beneficial pollinators and has similar moisture requirements
Black-eyed Susan
Complementary bloom times and both thrive in similar soil conditions
Purple Coneflower
Attracts beneficial insects and provides structural support in mixed plantings
Wild Ginger
Provides ground cover and shade for spiderwort roots in partial shade areas
Coral Bells
Similar shade tolerance and creates attractive foliage contrast
Astilbe
Thrives in similar moist, shaded conditions and provides vertical interest
Hosta
Compatible moisture needs and provides complementary foliage texture
Wild Columbine
Both prefer partial shade and moist soil with similar care requirements
Keep Apart
Mint
Aggressive spreading habit can overtake spiderwort colonies
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth of many understory plants
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds can inhibit growth of nearby native wildflowers
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Generally disease resistant, very hardy native plant
Common Pests
Generally pest resistant, may attract aphids
Diseases
Rarely affected by diseases, very robust native
Troubleshooting Spiderwort
What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.
Stems and leaf undersides coated in a sticky, shiny residue, with clusters of small soft-bodied insects visible, usually in late spring
Likely Causes
- Aphid infestation (commonly green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, or bean aphid, Aphis fabae) — spiderwort's soft new growth attracts them in flushes
- Lack of predator pressure, often because the planting is too isolated from other flowering natives
What to Do
- 1.Knock aphids off with a firm spray of water from a hose — do this in the morning so foliage dries before evening
- 2.Plant Wild Bergamot or Purple Coneflower nearby to draw in parasitic wasps and ladybeetle adults that feed on aphids
- 3.If the infestation is heavy, cut the affected stems down to about 6 inches; spiderwort re-sprouts aggressively and will push clean new growth within two weeks
Leaves browning and going crispy at the tips, whole plant looking ratty by midsummer even with adequate rainfall
Likely Causes
- Normal post-bloom senescence — Tradescantia ohiensis routinely looks rough after its main bloom period ends in July
- Excess heat and humidity causing the foliage to decline faster than usual, especially in zones 7–9
What to Do
- 1.Cut the entire plant back hard to 6–8 inches after bloom finishes — it will put up a flush of fresh foliage and often re-bloom in fall
- 2.Don't pull it; the crown is fine underground even when the top looks completely spent
- 3.If you want tidy foliage through summer, site the plant where it gets afternoon shade — 4 to 5 hours of direct morning sun is enough
Frequently Asked Questions
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Growing Guides from Wind River Greens
Where to Buy Seeds
Sources & References
External authority sources used in compiling this guide.
- ExtensionNC State Extension
See the Methodology page for how this data is sourced, what's AI-assisted, and known limitations.