Tradescantia virginiana aka Virginia Spiderwort

Taxonomy

Tradescantia virginiana, also known as the Virginia spiderwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Commelinaceae. Native to the eastern United States, it is commonly found growing wild along roadsides and railway lines, as well as being a popular choice for gardens. This upright perennial can reach a height of 50cm and has narrow, slightly succulent green leaves that can grow up to 35cm long. During the summer, it produces clusters of light purple, blue, or purple three-petalled flowers. Tradescantia virginiana is known for being easy to care for and can be easily propagated by stem, allowing one plant to give rise to many new ones. It is often grown as a houseplant, trailing or creeping along the ground, but its succulent leaves make it susceptible to frost, so it should be brought indoors if winter temperatures drop below freezing.

Common names

Virginia Spiderwort, White Spiderwort, Widow's Tears

How to care for Virginia Spiderwort

Difficulty

With its straightforward care requirements, Virginia Spiderwort is a hassle-free plant that anyone can enjoy.

Water

Virginia Spiderwort should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Virginia Spiderwort loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Virginia Spiderwort prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Dormancy

During the wintertime, it is common for Virginia Spiderwort plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Virginia Spiderwort does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Virginia Spiderwort has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

The Virginia Spiderwort displays clumping growth habits, with new shoots arising from the soil close to the parent plant.

Region of origin

Virginia Spiderwort’s native range is the Americas.


More info:
Wikipedia