Spiderwort Plant Guide: How to Grow Spiderwort Plants

Spiderwort is an herbaceous perennial wildflower belonging to the genus Tradescantia within the Commelinaceae family. Spiderwort is also known by the common names inch plant and spider lily. The name “spiderwort” comes from the leaf arrangement of the plant, which some say resembles a spider.

Spiderwort blooms usually appear as vivid purple flowers or blue flowers but they may also be pink, white, or red. During the bloom time of late spring to early summer, spiderwort flowers display bright yellow stamens. You’ll only see spiderwort flowers in daylight, as the blossoms open in the morning and close at night. During the day, spiderwort flowers attract pollinators like butterflies.

Explore the most common types of this petaled houseplant.

1. 1. ‘Sweet Kate’: Noted for its vibrant yellow foliage, ‘Sweet Kate’ is a popular cultivar. ‘Sweet Kate’ does not spread uncontrollably and yields clusters of purple flowers through late summer.
2. 2. Ohio spiderwort: A showy, native plant type that grows up to three feet tall, Ohio spiderwort does well in sandy, loamy soil. The flower color is indigo to purple.
3. 3. Virginia spiderwort: Native to the eastern US and similar in size to Ohio spiderwort, Virginia spiderwort attracts butterflies and bumblebees. Flowers may appear lavender or even white and begin to bloom in early spring before ceasing by mid-summer.
4. 4. ‘Purple Heart’: The ‘Purple Heart’ cultivar features deep purple stems and leaves. It makes a good ground cover plant for outdoor gardens but also does well as a houseplant.

Spiderwort plants grow best in USDA hardiness zones three through nine and are excellent plants for novice gardeners. Spiderwort plants grow easily, but they can also become unruly. In some regions, spiderworts are considered invasive plants because they grow so much.

1. 1. Choose the right grow medium. Spiderwort grows easily in most types of soil, but ideally, aim for a slightly acidic pH. Outdoors, plant your spiderwort in moist soil that drains easily. Indoors, plant your spiderwort up to six inches deep in a large container with similarly moist, well-draining soil.
2. 2. Plant spiderworts in a sunny spot. A spot in your garden or home that receives a mix of full sun and partial shade is ideal for spiderwort plants.
3. 3. Space your spiderworts apart. To avoid tangled clusters of spiderworts, allow enough room (about a foot or more) between each plant. Proper space will also facilitate fresh air circulation, preventing mold and mildew from growing.
4. 4. Water your plant weekly in the summer. During the sunny summer months, water your spiderwort plant once a week and reduce the watering frequency in fall and winter. Gauge if your plant needs watering in the cooler seasons by checking moisture levels in the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
5. 5. Fertilize your spiderwort with care. Spiderwort plants don’t require much plant food to thrive, so keep fertilizing to a minimum. Feeding your spiderwort every two months should be sufficient, although some growers forgo plant food completely.
6. 6. Prune your spiderwort frequently. To keep spiderworts from overtaking your garden and manage the plants’ lush growth, prune them often.
7. 7. Get rid of pests naturally. Spiderworts are resistant to many common garden pests like aphids; however, slugs and snails can be problematic for spiderwort plants. Remove them from your garden manually to keep your spiderwort healthy.
8. 8. Divide your spiderwort over time. After a few years, pruning may be insufficient, and dividing your spiderwort plant may become necessary to avoid overgrowth. Cutting and transplanting your spiderwort ensures that it will survive without becoming invasive.

The propagation of spiderwort plants is best accomplished through dividing, cutting, and transplanting. Cuttings can be made from any part of the spiderwort plant. Simply choose the healthiest specimens among your spiderworts and use clean garden shears to make cuts just below the nodes. Place the cutting in a jar of water to boost root formation or apply a rooting compound to stimulate root growth before planting it in a pot filled with soil.

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