

Spiderworts
Botanical name: Tradescantia
Spiderworts
Botanical name: Tradescantia


Description

Spiderworts include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Species of Spiderworts


Spiderworts 'Tricolor Minima'
Spiderworts 'Tricolor Minima' include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Purple heart 'Purpurea'
Purple heart 'Purpurea' include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Prairie spiderwort
Prairie spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Tradescantia Zebrina 'Purpusii'
Tradescantia Zebrina 'Purpusii' is a stunning and boldly-colored inchplant cultivar. Instead of sporting traditional all deep green to pale green leaves, these plants have dark purple or maroon leaves, which are only sometimes intermixed with green. In warm or temperate climates, tradescantia Zebrina 'Purpusii' can be grown outside as a handsome, distinctive groundcover or in hanging baskets.

White velvet
White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) is a perennial evergreen species native to northeastern Mexico. White velvet can grow in areas with very little water and is one of the most drought-tolerant species in its genus. This species won't flower if it is given too much water or too much shade. White velvet is a popular plant in ornamental rock gardens in subtropical regions and in Europe.

Purple heart
Tradescantia pallida is an evergreen perennial trailing plant, colloquially known as purple heart. This beautiful perennial is famous for its spectacular deep purple, pointed leaves. Purple heart is a common houseplant, but it is also often used in landscaping as a bedding plant.

Silver inch plant
The silver inch plant is a popular trailing plant known for its attractive foliage with zebra-like stripes of green, silver, and purple. Wandering jew is very easy to care for and can be hung or placed indoors. The plant grows fast; the creeping stems bear roots along the way, making it suitable as ground cover.

Spiderworts 'Quicksilver'
Spiderworts 'Quicksilver' include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Boatlily 'Sitara'
Boatlily 'Sitara' has eye-catching multi-colored foliage. The top sides of its leaves are green with pink variegation and margins, with darker pink undersides. This plant is popular as a houseplant due to its interesting foliage and low care needs.

Spiderworts 'Green Hill'
Spiderworts 'Green Hill' is a spiderwort plant with characteristic lush green leaves that are of a uniform color rather than variegated color, as is common with other spiderworts. It is an indoor vine that is popular for hanging baskets. Spiderworts 'Green Hill' typically grows up to 60 cm wide and high.

Small-leaf spiderwort
Tradescantia fluminensis is a ground cover plant that is most commonly found as a houseplant. This plant has oval leaves that are dark green and glossy. It will root anywhere a node is on the surface, which earns it some of its other common names, like wandering Willie and wandering gypsy.

Virginia spiderwort
Virginia spiderwort is called 'spiderwort' because its complex leaf formations have a spider-like shape. The fine hairs found on the plant’s stamen are frequently studied under the microscope in biology classes. The violet-blue flowers and elegant leaves make this North American native a popular ornamental plant.

Western Spiderwort
Western Spiderwort, or Tradescantia occidentalis, is a member of the dayflower family. This species of plant is an indicator of radiation. Its normally blue-colored stamens will turn pink in the presence of radiation. It is native to the central and western United States.

Zigzag spiderwort
Zigzag spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) is an herbaceous perennial flowering species native to the United States. Zigzag spiderwort can be damaged by snails when the plant's shoots are new. This species gives off a silky, threadlike stem secretion that resembles a spider's web, which is how it got its common name.

Oyster plant
Native to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, the oyster plant is widely cultivated as a garden plant and naturalized in the southeastern United States. Though there is no ecological damage observed, oyster plant is considered to be invasive in Florida and Louisiana due to its amount.

Ohio spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis is named after John Tradescant (1608 - 1662), the gardener to King Charles 1. This cheerful blue flowering plant is common along roadsides, in ditches and makes a great addition to any garden. It has a unique tendency to bloom in the morning and then close in the afternoon sun.

Flowering inch plant
Flowering inch plant include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.
Inch Plant
Inch Plant is cultivated from the Spiderworts genus and is easily distinguishable by its uniquely colored green, pink, purple, and silver leaves, which gives the cultivar its name. This fast grower is often used as a groundcover and is also a popular houseplant.

Leatherleaf spiderwort
Leatherleaf spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Pinewoods spiderwort
Pinewoods spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Trans-pecos spiderwort
Trans-pecos spiderwort (Tradescantia brevifolia) is so-named because it is native to the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and Northern Mexico, where it can be found growing on north-facing slopes. This is also a popular ornamental plant that spreads well as ground cover or makes an attractive container plant. However, care should be taken because it can spread aggressively.

Cohitre blanco
Cohitre blanco include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Long-bract spiderwort
It is grown for its purple flowers.

Tradescantia poelliae
Tradescantia poelliae include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Tharp's spiderwort
Tharp's spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Tradescantia andrieuxii
Tradescantia andrieuxii include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Reverchon's spiderwort
Reverchon's spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Plateau spiderwort
Plateau spiderwort include perennial wildflowers that are commonly cultivated as ornamental plants in North America and Europe. Some species are used as houseplants while other, more temperate species are used as ground covers in gardens. Because of their easy propagation, some species have become invasive in the Southern U.S., New Zealand, and Australia.

Care Guide for Spiderworts





Scientific Classification

Phylum
Vascular plants Class
Monocotyledons Order
Spiderworts and allies Family
Spiderwort Genus
Spiderworts