Zigzag spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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Zigzag spiderwort

Tradescantia subaspera

Also known as: Wide-leaved 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.

5 to 9

Hardiness Zones

More Info

Plant Type

Herb

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Early fall

Leaf Color

Green

Black

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Spiderworts and allies

Family

Spiderwort

Genus

Spiderworts

Species

Zigzag spiderwort

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Distribution Map

Habitat

Rich woods along streams and on slopes and bluffs, dry woods, roadsides, fields, along railroads

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Zigzag spiderwort

Watering

Sunlight

Temperature

What is the best way to water my Zigzag spiderwort?

When watering the Zigzag spiderwort, you should aim to use filtered water that is at room temperature. Filtered water is better for this plant, as tap water can contain particles that are harmful to its health. The reason that the water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer is that the Zigzag spiderwort comes from a warm environment, and cold water can be somewhat of a shock to its system. Also, you should avoid overhead watering for this plant, as it can cause foliage complications. Instead, simply apply your filtered room temperature water to the soil until the soil is entirely soaked. Soaking the soil can be very beneficial for this plant as it moistens the roots and helps them continue to spread through the soil and collect the nutrients they need.

What should I do if I water my Zigzag spiderwort too much or too little?

Both overwatering and underwatering will be detrimental to the health of your Zigzag spiderwort, but overwatering is a far more common issue. When this species receives too much water, its stems and leaves may begin to wilt and turn from green to yellow. Overwatering over a prolonged period may also lead to diseases such as root rot, mold, and mildew, all of which can kill your plant. Underwatering is far less common for the Zigzag spiderwort, as this plant has decent drought tolerance. However, underwatering remains a possibility, and when it occurs, you can expect to find that the leaves of your Zigzag spiderwort have become brittle and brown.

It is crucial that you notice the signs of overwatering as soon as possible when caring for your Zigzag spiderwort. Some of the diseases that arise from overwatering, such as root rot, may not be correctable if you wait too long. If you see early signs of overwatering, you should reduce your watering schedule immediately. You may also want to assess the quality of soil in which your Zigzag spiderwort grows. If you find that the soil drains very poorly, you should replace it immediately with a loose, well-draining potting mix. On the other hand, if you find signs that your Zigzag spiderwort is receiving too little water, all you need to do is water more regularly until those signs have subsided.

How often should I water my Zigzag spiderwort?

If your plant is in a pot. The most precise way to decide whether your Zigzag spiderwort needs water is to plunge your finger into the soil. If you notice that the first two to three inches of soil have become dry, it is time to add some water.

If you grow your Zigzag spiderwort outdoors in the ground, you can use a similar method to test the soil. Again, when you find that the first few inches of soil have dried out, it is time to add water. During the spring and early fall, this method will often lead you to water this plant about once every week. When extremely hot weather arrives, you may need to increase your watering frequency to about twice or more per week. With that said, mature, well-established the Zigzag spiderwort can show an admirable ability to withstand drought.

How much water does my Zigzag spiderwort need?

When it comes time to water your Zigzag spiderwort, you should not be shy about how much water you give. With the first two to three inches of soil dry, this plant will appreciate a long and thorough watering. Supply enough water to soak the soil entirely. The amount of water you add should be enough to cause excess water to flow through the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. If you don’t see excess water draining from the pot, you have likely underwatered your plant. But do not let the water accumulate inside the soil, which will be very dangerous to the plant as well. Alternatively, a lack of water draining through the pot could indicate poorly draining soils, which is detrimental to the health of this plant and should be avoided. If the plant is outside, 1 inch of rain per week will be sufficient.

How should I water my Zigzag spiderwort at different growth stages?

The water needs of the Zigzag spiderwort can change depending on growth stages as well. For example, when your Zigzag spiderwort is in the first few years of its life, or if you have just transplanted it to a new growing location, you will need to give more water than usual. During both of those stages, your Zigzag spiderwort will put a lot of energy towards sprouting new roots that will then support future growth. For those roots to perform their best, they need a bit more moisture than they would at a more mature phase. After a few seasons, your Zigzag spiderwort will need much less water. Another growth stage in which this plant may need more water is during the bloom period. Flower development can make use of a significant amount of moisture, which is why you might need to give your Zigzag spiderwort more water at this time.

How should I water my Zigzag spiderwort through the seasons?

The Zigzag spiderwort will have its highest water needs during the hottest months of the year. During the height of summer, you may need to give this plant water more than once per week, depending on how fast the soil dries out. The opposite is true during the winter. In winter, your plant will enter a dormant phase, in which it will need far less water than usual. In fact, you may not need to water this plant at all during the winter months. However, if you do water during winter, you should not do so more than about once per month. Watering too much at this time will make it more likely that your Zigzag spiderwort will contract a disease.

What's the difference between watering my Zigzag spiderwort indoors and outdoors?

It is most common to grow the Zigzag spiderwort indoors for any gardener that does not live in temperate and tropical regions. Those gardeners should consider the fact that soil in a container can dry out a bit faster than ground soil. Also, the presence of drying elements such as air conditioning units can cause your Zigzag spiderwort to need water on a more frequent basis as well. if you planted it outside. When that is the case, it’s likely you won’t need to water your Zigzag spiderwort very much at all. If you receive rainfall on a regular basis, that may be enough to keep your plant alive. Alternatively, those who grow this plant inside will need to water it more often, as allowing rainwater to soak the soil will not be an option.

What is the optimal temperature for Zigzag spiderwort?

The best temperature for Zigzag spiderwort depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Zigzag spiderwort has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Zigzag spiderwort may be able to survive with some help.

During the warmer parts of the year, Zigzag spiderwort will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Zigzag spiderwort. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Zigzag spiderwort to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!

Temperature requirements for first year or seedling Zigzag spiderwort

If this is the first year of your Zigzag spiderwort outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Zigzag spiderwort, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Zigzag spiderwort inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage.

It’s also a good idea to plant Zigzag spiderwort in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Zigzag spiderwort should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.

How can I protect Zigzag spiderwort from extreme temperatures?

If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Zigzag spiderwort from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Zigzag spiderwort in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Zigzag spiderwort is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind.

For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Zigzag spiderwort to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.

Dormant season temperature recommendations for Zigzag spiderwort

During the cold winter months, Zigzag spiderwort needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Zigzag spiderwort, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine.

An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Zigzag spiderwort. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Zigzag spiderwort will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.

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Add to My Garden

Zigzag spiderwort

Tradescantia subaspera

Also known as: Wide-leaved spiderwort

5 to 9

Hardiness Zones