Melinda Myers

Spiderwort

Botanical Name

Tradescantia spp.

Min Zone

3

Max Zone

9

Height

6 to 36 inches

Width

6 to 24 inches

Flowers

Late spring to mid summer: violet-purple, white, pink, red, blue, violet blue

Light

Full sun to shade - depends on species

Soil

Dry to moist to boggy - depends on species

Planting & Care

• Can self seed in ideal conditions
• Foliage declines by mid-summer and should be cut back

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Tradescantia virginiana - part to full shade, moist to boggy soils, 18 to 36 inches tall
• T. ohiensis - full sun to part shade, dry to moist soils, 2 to 3 feet tall
• Blue Stone - lavender blue flowers, yellow-green foliage, 16 inches tall
• Jeannene - purple flowers, 20 inches tall