Tradescantia virginiana

RHS Plant Profile
common spiderwort

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common spiderwort visionspictures.com
common spiderwort visionspictures.com
common spiderwort visionspictures.com

Other common names

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

Herbaceous Perennial

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Clay, Chalk

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Clay Chalk
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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