Ignore the creepy name. Spiderwort is one of the most forgiving, cheerful natives you can grow. It shoots up in spring with grassy leaves and tall stems topped with clusters of blue-purple flowers that bloom for weeks. Each flower lasts just a day, but new ones open daily, giving the plant a long flowering season from spring into early summer. Easy to grow in sun or part sun, clay or loam, dry or moist soils—spiderwort is the definition of beginner-friendly. Plant it where you’ll see it often, because the flowers are little daily surprises.
Spiderwort is one of those native plants you often see in landscaping and gardens, hiding in plain sight. Its shape looks so similar to that of other non-native plants like daffodils and bulbs that you might think it’s non-native. Surprise! Spiderwort has been growing in North America for thousands of years. In this article, we’ll explore its name, how to grow it, and introduce a few cultivar options.
Let’s start with a basic question:
Is spiderwort a good choice for my yard?
Yes, if…
- You want early-season blooms that fill the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials. Spiderwort flowers from late spring into early summer, bridging a tricky time in the garden.
- You have clay soil, compacted ground, or otherwise “difficult” dirt. Spiderwort does not care. It handles clay, loam, sand, and everything in between.
- You are a beginner. This is one of the most forgiving native plants you can buy. Sun or part shade, dry or moist. You almost have to try to kill it.
- You want pollinators. Bumble bees, sweat bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds all visit.
- Deer are a problem. They leave spiderwort alone.
- You like daily surprises. Each flower opens for just one morning, and a new batch appears every day for weeks.
New to native?
Before lawns and landscaping, native plants were here. They’ve fed birds, bees, and butterflies for thousands of years—and they’ll do the same in your yard. The best part? They’re easier to grow than you think.
Skip it if…
- You want tidy, compact plants. Spiderwort can get a little floppy and unkempt by midsummer, especially in rich soil or heavy shade. Cutting it back fixes this, but it is not a plant that looks sharp without a mid-season trim.
- Your soil stays waterlogged. Spiderwort handles a lot, but standing water will rot the roots.
- You want flowers all summer long. Spiderwort peaks in late spring to early summer. By July or August, the first round of flowers is done (though cutting back can trigger a second flush). Pair it with later bloomers for season-long color.
- You are not in its native range. Check the USDA range maps (below) for Ohio spiderwort and Virginia spiderwort to make sure at least one species is native to your state.
Why spiderwort matters
It’s a pollinator buffet.
Spiderwort is a workhorse for pollinators, especially native bees. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, the flowers are visited by bumble bees, sweat bees, syrphid flies, and butterflies throughout their long bloom period. The pollen is particularly interesting: spiderwort’s bright yellow stamens are covered in fuzzy hairs that attract bees. Some native bee species are especially drawn to these pollen-rich flowers, visiting them repeatedly throughout the morning hours when the flowers are open.
It flowers during a gap.
Beyond pollinators, spiderwort matters because it fills a critical gap in the garden calendar. Most big native perennials (coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, asters, goldenrods) do not start blooming until June or later. Spiderwort picks up where spring ephemerals and bulbs leave off, keeping the garden alive with color and the pollinators fed during a window when not much else is open.
It is perfect for beginner gardeners.
It is also one of the toughest plants you can grow. The USDA Plant Guide for Virginia spiderwort notes that spiderwort thrives in a wide range of soils, from dry to moist and clay to loam. It handles full sun and part shade equally well. For beginning native gardeners who have been burned by fussy plants in the past, spiderwort is a confidence builder.
Spiderwort is deer-resistant
Deer do NOT normally eat Spiderwort. If you’re worried about deer nibbling your garden, planting Spiderwort is a good native gardening choice.
Where is spiderwort native?
It depends on the species. At least 10 species of Tradescantia/spiderwort are native to North America. There are spiderworts native to just Texas, and other species native to the eastern half of the United States.
Ohio spiderwort (T. ohiensis) and Virginia spiderwort (T. virginiana) are the two you’ll most often find at nurseries, both with massive native ranges:
Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
Ohio spiderwort is native to a vast part of North America, from Maine to Texas.
Virginia Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
Virginia spiderwort is also native to a large part of North America, from Maine to Louisiana and California.
Now you’re probably wondering—which one should I plant? Does it matter?
The two species look nearly identical in a garden setting. Both have grassy leaves, both grow 1 to 3 feet tall, and both have blue-purple flowers that bloom from late spring into early summer.
The best way to pick between them is not to stress about it. Buy whichever species is grown closest to you. The more local the source, the better the plant is adapted to your soils, weather, and pollinators.
Plant ‘provenance’ is a secret advantage for gardens
As you can imagine, a Virginia spiderwort with a family tree from New Hampshire will have much different DNA than a spiderwort from Georgia. The area where a plant’s DNA originates is called its provenance. Provenance takes hundreds or thousands of years to establish. Multiple generations of a plant must grow, cross-pollinate, and evolve for the DNA to build resilience and knowledge of its home area.
To briefly sum up plant provenance:
Plants and seeds grown close to home are tuned to your soil, weather, and pollinators. Stay within 500 miles—or about a day’s drive—to help your garden thrive naturally.
Where spiderwort shines in your yard
- Pollinator garden: Early-season nectar and pollen that bridge the gap between spring ephemerals and summer perennials. Bumble bees love it.
- Front yard border: Plant it along a path or walkway where you can enjoy the daily parade of morning blooms.
- Cottage garden: Mixes beautifully with early perennials, iris, and native penstemons. The relaxed habit fits right in.
- Clay soil garden: One of the best native perennials for heavy clay. Where fussier plants fail, spiderwort thrives.
- Fence line or foundation planting: Fill a sunny or partly shaded strip along a fence with a mass of spiderwort for low-maintenance color.
Why is it called spiderwort?
The “spider” part comes from what happens when the stem is cut. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, a “viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening (like a spider’s web).”
It’s named for something that no one even sees—unless the plant is cut open.
Thanks for nothing, whoever came up with this sad common name! We’ve added spiderwort to our round-up of Beautiful Native Plants with Terrible Common Names. Let’s change this plant’s common name to cobalt fireworks in our lifetimes.
How to plant spiderwort
Full sun to part shade. According to NC State Extension, spiderwort grows well in full sun but also performs in part shade. Sunnier spots mean more flowers and more pollinators; shadier spots mean the plants stay a bit more compact and the flowers last longer into the afternoon.
When to plant
Transplants go in spring or fall. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors in fall (the cold winter helps break dormancy) or started indoors in late winter. Transplants from a native plant nursery will give you flowers the first year.
Spacing
Give each plant about 1 to 1.5 feet of room. Plant in groups of at least 3 for the best visual effect. Spiderwort looks best in clusters rather than single plants scattered around.
1-2 ft wide
Watering
Water regularly during the first growing season while roots get established. After that, spiderwort is drought-hardy in most conditions. It prefers average to moist soil but handles dry spells without complaint.
Fertilizer
None needed. Rich soil can actually make spiderwort floppy. Average garden soil is perfect.
The mid-season cut-back
This is the one spiderwort trick every gardener should know. When the first round of flowers finishes (usually by mid-July), cut the entire plant back to about 6 inches above the ground. It sounds dramatic, but the Missouri Botanical Garden recommends this approach. Fresh, tidy growth will return within weeks, and you will often get a second round of flowers in late summer or early fall.
FAQs
Does spiderwort spread?
Yes, slowly, by stolons (underground runners) and self-seeding. It is not aggressive, but a single plant will gradually form a wider clump over several years.
To keep them from spreading, dig them up, divide the plant (give the extra plant bits to neighbors and friends!), and replant the smaller pieces.
Can I grow spiderwort in a pot?
Yes! Use a container at least 12 inches wide with drainage holes. Spiderwort will bloom well in a pot, though you may need to water more frequently than you would in the ground. Bring the pot to a sheltered spot (like an unheated garage) over winter in cold climates.
Why do the flowers close in the afternoon?
Each spiderwort flower is a one-day bloom. It opens in the morning and closes (or melts away) by early afternoon, especially on hot days. This is perfectly normal. A fresh set of flowers opens the next morning. To enjoy them at their best, visit your spiderwort patch in the morning.
What are good pairings for spiderwort?
Pair spiderwort with native flowers that bloom at other parts of the season, like native penstemons and fall-blooming asters.
Pairs well with
Spiderwort is one of the easiest native plants you can grow. Let’s put this dreadful common name aside and plant this native flower in our gardens. Pair it with flowers that bloom throughout the rest of the summer into fall so that your garden looks amazing and pollinators always have something to snack on. Since spiderwort is so forgiving of soils—clay, loam—and sunshine—full sun, part sun—it is a perfect native flower for beginner gardeners. Want more fuss-free recommendations? We recommend stopping by our Beginner’s Guide to Native Trees for Front Yards and our Beginner’s Guide to Native Asters. Or laugh at some other plant naming fails with our Terrible Names, Beautiful Native Plants. Happy planting!
Sources
- Holland, Jonah. Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Spiderwort: Why is it called that anyway? June 6, 2014.
- Missouri Botanical Garden, Spiderwort
- USDA Plants Database, Spiderwort
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