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.
History & Origin
Origin: Ontario to Central and Eastern United States
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Drought, Dry Soil
- +Attracts: The leaves and stems are edible, fresh or cooked.
- +Wildlife value: Attractive to native bees and butterflies.
- +Edible: The leaves and stems are edible, fresh or cooked.
Companion Plants
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