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Herbaceous Perennial

Tradescantia virginiana

common spiderwort

An upright perennial to a height of 50cm with slightly succulent, narrow, green leaves that can reach 35cm long. In summer clusters of light purple, blue or purple three-petalled flowers are borne

Other common names

blue spiderwort
Moses in the bulrushes
see moreTrinity flower
Virginia spiderwort
Virginian tradescantia
bluebells
flower of a day
spiderwort
widow's tears

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Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1–2 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Sand

Loam

Clay

Chalk

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline, Acid

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing or South–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Commelinaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Spreading branched
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Tradescantia can be trailing or tufted perennials with usually fleshy, evergreen foliage and distinctive, 3-petalled flowers
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in moist soils, bog gardens, and well-drained soil in sun or part-shade. Can be untidy so may need staking. See staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division in autumn after flowering, or in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Wildlife gardens
Flower borders and beds
Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back all foliage back to ground level at the end of the season

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, vine weevil, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to fungal leaf spot and a rust

Get involved

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