Spiderwort Flowers - Tips For Growing And The Care Of Spiderwort Plant

Spiderworts typically grow in moist, well-drained and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil, though I have found the plants to be quite forgiving in the garden and tolerant of many soil conditions. Spiderwort plants do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist.

Should spiderwort be cut back after blooming?

A: Spiderwort usually ends up looking pretty ratty by mid-summer after it's done blooming. This is a tough enough perennial that you can cut the whole plant back to the ground, and within a few weeks, it'll push up fresh new growth and look so much better the rest of the season.

Should you deadhead spiderwort?

No deadheading is necessary to achieve repeated blooming on your spiderwort.

How does spiderwort spread?

Spiderwort is a perennial wildflower that spreads easily by reseeding, and thrives in both sun and shade. However, the plant blooms less prolifically in shade. Spiderwort propagates easily from root division and from stem cuttings. Once established, it thrives with little assistance.

Are spiderwort plants invasive?

Spiderwort is invasive! The plant self seeds and grows everywhere in the yard growing in tight bundles choking out other plants. The roots go down about 2-3 inches, and are tightly packed making it difficult to remove. The plant is a vigorous grower.

When can I divide spiderwort?

Divide plants in spring. Speedwell (Veronica species)—Divide in spring or late summer/early fall. Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)— Spiderworts are rapidly speading plants. Divide every 2 or 3 years in spring.

How do you winterize spiderwort?

In my garden I leave the foliage on perennials until the frost kills them back, and they wither and brown. It is important to leave the foliage intact while it is still green so the root system can store up enough food energy for the long hibernation.

How do you maintain spiderwort?

Care of Spiderwort Plants

These plants like to be kept fairly moist, so water regularly, especially if you're growing them in containers. Cutting the plants back once flowering has ceased can often promote a second bloom and will help prevent re-seeding. Cut the stems back about 8 to 12 inches (20-30.5 cm.)

Why does spiderwort fall over?

Their flowers open in the morning and close as the day goes on, so perhaps they are drooping over in protest against too much sunlight. Once they have ceased blooming in the summer, they can be cut back severely, and other plants, perhaps annuals, can be interspersed to keep the area attractive.

How do you control spiderwort?

As soon as the leaves decline and spent blossoms have been removed, cut the plant down. Do not mow over these plants as that just encourages more plants to form. Despite all your efforts to discourage germination of any seeds, you may still find some sprouting. Remove them and carefully weed the area.

Will vinegar kill spiderwort?

White Vinegar

A little excess spray won't hurt them, but accidentally pouring the same amount of vinegar on your flowers as your weeds could kill them.

Will deer eat spiderwort?

Spiderworts are prime eating for deer, and from the first of the month to the middle they might grow eight or ten inches in May.

What is spiderwort for?

The plant was mashed and rubbed onto insect bites to relieve pain and itching. A paste, made from the mashed roots, was used as a poultice to treat cancer. A tea made from the plant was used as a laxative and to treat stomachaches associated with overeating.

Can you root spiderwort in water?

Step 1: Snip four-to-six-inch cuttings from healthy stems of your spiderwort plant. Remove the bottom set of leaves from each stem. Step 2: Put your cuttings in a glass of water, ensuring that at least the bottom leaf node is submerged. You should see new roots begin to emerge within a week or so.

When can I transplant spiderwort plants?

Early spring is the best time to transplant most plants, including spiderwort. Pick a day when the weather is still cool and moist and the spiderwort is still dormant. In its new spot, the spiderwort will break out of dormancy and put on a quick flush of new growth that will help it get established.

How do you keep spiderwort from falling over?

With spiderwort, don't hold back with the pruning shears.

Trim out spiderwort flower stalks as each flower starts to die. ...
Cut back all the foliage and any remaining flower stalks after the last flowers wither. ...
Remove the second set of flowers at the base as they fade to keep spiderwort from spreading by seed.

How tall does spiderwort get?

Spiderwort

genus name	Tradescantia
plant type	Perennial
height	Under 6 inches 6 to 12 inches 1 to 3 feet
width	8 to 36 inches wide, depending on variety
flower color	Blue Purple White Pink

Are spiderwort plants poisonous?

This plant has low severity poison characteristics. Spiderwort is a native herbaceous perennial of 75 species of wildflowers.

Why is my spiderwort turning yellow?

As a grass-like plant, spiderwort is susceptible to fungal disease caused by a Puccinia species. Infected plants have yellow or reddish-orange, rust-colored, lesions on the leaves in circular spots. ... Low nitrogen and drought conditions can also make plants prone to fungal infection.

What does spiderwort look like?

Virginia spiderwort is a large but dainty perennial to 3 ft. with long, bright-green, narrow leaves. The thick clump of slender, branched stalks are topped by groups of blue or purplish, three-petaled flowers up to 2 in. across.

Should you cover perennials for winter?

Preparing Cool-Climate Perennials

After the ground freezes, spread a winter mulch over any bare soil in the garden. Spread evergreen boughs over beds. After frost, clean up perennial beds and borders.

Do bees like spiderwort?

Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) – Most will agree, when in bloom, spiderwort is a worthy garden plant, particularly in the spring. ... While spiderwort is without nectar, the pollen content is significant for a number of bees and pollen-feeding flies such as syrphids.