How to Care for a Spiderwort Plant
What is a Spiderwort Plant
The spiderwort plant is a perennial herb. It is a native of North America, and in the spring, it produces purple blooms and seed-like fruit.
The leaves surrounding the blooms are long and resemble tall grass. They are light green in color and droop in a downward position as they grow.
The blooms from the spiderwort plant have three heart-shaped petals that form into one flower.
In the center of the bloom, six dark green threads protrude out. On the ends of these threads are bright yellow tops.
This plant grows quickly, but it is a smaller plant. It can grow to reach one foot in height, but it spaces out nicely.
It can accent a garden area, as a ground cover, or even as a perennial bordering plant.
Spiderworts are commonly found growing in gardens, meadows, and woodlands. These plants have narrow, pointed leaves and small clusters of three-petaled flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white.
They attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies to the garden.
How to Care for a Spiderwort Plant
1. Climate
If you consider keeping a spiderwort plant in your garden, you must ensure you have the right climate.
This type of plant cannot handle colder weather. In fact, you shouldn’t place it outside if the temperatures go below 40 degrees for a long time. Fortunately, you can keep this plant indoors.
2. Watering
The spiderwort plant is very easy to maintain. But it requires a lot of water. Most flowering plants can have trouble with root rot due to too much water.
But you really cannot water this plant too much because, in the wild, it is known to live by streams, ponds, or lakes. It likes being in wet, moist soil. It can tolerate drier soil types, but the plant might not produce as many blooms or fruit in the springtime.
Water your spiderwort plant regularly, keeping the soil moist but not wet.
3. Deadheading
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming and prevent self-seeding.
4. Sunlight
Spiderwort plants need plenty of sunlight. Place your plant in a spot where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily.
5. Soil
Spiderwort plants prefer soil that is light and sandy. Amend your soil with some sand if necessary.
6. Fertilizer
Feed your spiderwort plant once a month with diluted liquid fertilizer.
To make a diluted liquid fertilizer, mix one-part fertilizer with nine parts water.
The best fertilizer to use is a 10-10-10 fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer with water at a 1:9 ratio before feeding your spiderwort plant.
A 10-10-10 fertilizer contains the following ingredients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
7. Cutting
You should start your spiderwort plant by using cutting or divisions. You can start it from seed, but it is difficult to grow this way.
You can use a single note stem late in the season. Or you can divide the roots and plant them in the early spring.
For a healthier plant, you should also divide the leaves. Spiderwort plants that already exist will self-sow.
8. Staking
The roots on this plant are a bit shallow, so it might be a good idea to stake the young plants.
Depending on the location, you may have to do this for 2 to 3 years. To avoid this, you can place your plant in an area that is sheltered from windy conditions.
But even if you have done that, you should stake the plants for the first few months of growth. Use a wooden or metal pole and insert it behind the plant.
You can use sectioned cotton cloth pieces to tie the plants to the stake. Tie them up loosely and ensure the plant can grow without being strangled by the cloth.
You will have to check them frequently to ensure they are loose enough. When the plant can stand up by itself, you should be able to remove the ties safely.
The roots on this plant are a bit shallow, so it might be a good idea to stake the young plants. As they grow, the stalks should become sturdy enough to stand independently.
9. Pruning
Prune your spiderwort plant regularly to encourage new growth and prevent it from becoming leggy. Cut back the stems just above a pair of leaves.
You should clip back the plant’s long leaves to have a more uniform appearance. If the stems are removed after the first blooming, you can enjoy a second blooming that happens in late summer.
Because this plant grows so rapidly, you may also have to divide and remove a few of the roots to avoid overcrowding.
10. Propagation
Spiderwort plants can be propagated by dividing clumps in spring or by taking stem cuttings in summer. Plant the divisions or cuttings in moist, sandy soil and keep them in bright indirect sunlight until they are established.
Spiderwort plants can be propagated through division or by seed. To propagate by division, carefully divide the root ball of a mature plant and replant the sections.
To propagate by seed, sow seeds in the soil and keep them moist until germination occurs. Start seeds indoors in the late winter and transplant them outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.
Remember that plants propagated from seed may not have the same characteristics as the parent plant.
Types of Spiderwort
- The Tradescantia ‘Amethyst Kiss’ is a beautiful type of spiderwort that has deep purple blooms. This variety is popular for gardens, and it’s easy to see why! Its blooms are stunning and add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
- The Tradescantia Concord Grape is another beautiful type of spiderwort. This variety has light purple blooms that are tinged with pink. Its blooms are delicate and add a touch of elegance to any landscape. The Tradescantia Concord Grape is a popular garden choice, and it’s easy to see why!
- The Tradescantia Red Grape is a beautiful spiderwort with deep red blooms. Its blooms are stunning and add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
- The Tradescantia Sweet Kate is a beautiful spiderwort with light pink blooms. This variety is popular for gardens, and it’s easy to see why! Its blooms are delicate and add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
- The Tradescantia Purple Profusion is a beautiful spiderwort with deep purple blooms. This variety is popular for gardens, and it’s easy to see why! Its blooms are stunning and add a touch of elegance to any landscape.
These are just a few of the many types of spiderwort that can add beauty to any garden. With their lovely blooms and easy care, it’s no wonder why these plants are popular choices for gardeners. So consider adding some spiderwort to your own landscape for a touch of elegance and beauty!
Spiderwort Plant Tips
Make sure to keep an eye out for snails around your spiderwort plants. They will consume the leaves if they are not addressed, and you should purchase insecticide to stop the infestation.
This plant is very strong, but the two things that can kill it quickly are a lack of water and a snail infestation.
It is important to note that all parts of the spiderwort plant are toxic if ingested and may cause skin irritation, so use caution when handling or pruning the plant. Additionally, spiderwort can spread aggressively through rhizome spreading and self-seeding, so consider containing it in a pot or planting it in an area where spreading is not a concern.
Final Thoughts On How to Care for a Spiderwort Plant
How to Care for a Spiderwort Plant, Overall, care easy to care for with regular watering, sunlight, proper soil, occasional fertilizer, pruning, and propagation techniques. Enjoy their beautiful purple blooms all season long!
