Tony O’Neill , expert gardener and better - selling author of the notable “ Simplify Vegetable Gardening , ” “ Composting Masterclass , ” and “ Your First Vegetable Garden , ” combines womb-to-tomb Passion of Christ and expert noesis to simplify horticulture . His mission ? Helping you train a thriving garden . More on Tony O’Neill
{ “ statusCode”:401,”message”:”License Florida key missing ” }
Tradescantiais the second - largest genus in the Commelinaceae family , with 90 species with a rude habitat in Mexico and the southerly United States . The genus is known for its back - to - back double - zig - zig ( cincinnus ) development and three - petaled flowers , as found in Callisia , Gibasis , and Tripogandra .
It will be helpful if you learn to use the scientific names approve byPOWA(Plants of the World Online ) . As the spherical authority , a coaction of the leading university worldwide , POWA distinguish 95 Tradescantia specie if you include the eight variant .
There are 432 synonym , but we ’ll not venture there . Below are the 95 recognized specie and variety names for theTradescantiagenus . In this article , we ’ll review the ten most common species ( in bold )
Some cultivar or species involve somewhat different care than others , but Tradescantia is a rather simple flora to cultivate indoors or outdoors in the summertime or in warmer climes .
They ’ll repay you with adorable leafage and occasional blooms that are as much a surprise as they are a joyfulness if they get lots of extremely vivid Christ Within and unconstipated watering ( without get them consist in moist soil for too long ) .
The following plants are only hardy outside in geographical zone 9 to 11 , so protect them from frost and cold temperature .
Some may also be deliberate invasive in certain areas , so please constitute responsibly ! Indoors , however , will bring you beauty and joy no matter what geographical zone you subsist in .
Table of subject matter
Tradescantia X Andersoniana (Spiderwort)
Spiderwort is a hardy perennial belonging to the Commelinaceae ( dayflower ) family and is prized for its colourful blossom and parting . It is the most coarse Spiderwort in cultivation and is aboriginal to the northeastern United States .
Spiderwort arrest its name from the stem dismission that occur when the stem is discerp . It harden into a threadlike center that resemble a spider ’s web .
Many of these plant have bloom that open in the morning and close in the good afternoon when expose to sunlight . If the atmospheric condition is sunless , they may stay undefended later in the Clarence Day or until the eventide . It has strap - like leaves that are 12″ to 18″ long . The bloom are three - partited , and the stamens have spidery hair .
Throughout the summer , spiderwort rosiness for a long sentence . carry the bloom duration is as simple as deadheading spent blooms .
The farewell will deteriorate , and flowering may cease entirely if constitute in areas with hot summers . This is a fairish chance to make drastic cuts .
Cutting the industrial plant to the ground will produce novel foliation and a late summer / fall blush .
There are cultivars with alter elevation , heyday sizes , and bloom colors . As a houseplant , hanging basket , or terrace plant life , grow in a container . In the middle of the summer , the flora might become horrible in the landscape painting .
Potential Challenges
snail and caterpillars can harm young shoots . Individual blossoms are only there for one Clarence Day .
T. andersonianaVarieties & Cultivars
Tradescantia fluminensis (Giant White Inch Plant; Inch Plant; River Spiderwort; Small-Leaf Spiderwort; Speedy
equivalent word : Tradescantia albiflora .
Quick Identification
Many place class it as trespassing species , noxious weed , or pest plant . Australia , New Zealand , and the southern United States are the worst - bear upon countries . Snails and caterpillars can harm young shoots .
T. fluminensisVarieties & Cultivars
Tradescantia Hirsuticaulis (Hairy Spiderwort, Hairy-Stem Spiderwort)
Hairy Spiderwort is a Commelinaceae perennial endemic to North Carolina . It ’s uncommon , and you ’re unlikely to see an area where they expand . It can be find in dry , exposed rocky woodlands , along bluffs , and around rock outcrop . It may be found in dry , rocky forests in the mid to southern states and the North Carolina heap .
It is planted as a recurrent evergreen in warmer area like the Mediterranean , desert setting , and temperate or tropical mood . It will have a longer yearly life history cycle in colder field .
This plant may be manage for by mulching it to serve it retain wet . It is free to expand or creep if you ’re growing it as a perennial . Pruning can be done after the season ’s flowering has end .
Stem cuttings can propagate the industrial plant as long as at least three leaves are left on the press clipping . Another coming is bending over and burying a branch with the world , creating ideal rooting condition .
Tradescantia ohiensis (Blue Jacket, Ohio Spiderwort, Smooth Spiderwort)
Synomyn : T. canaliculata ; T. foliosa ; T.incarnata ; T. ohiensis var . foliosa ; T. reflexa
Smooth Spiderwort is a chunk - forming perennial native to fundamental and Eastern North America in the Commelinaceae ( dayflower ) family . The purple to rose - dismal 3 - petaled blooms of this native perennial grows to a height of 2 to 3 feet and a width of 2 feet . It may be found growing in meadow , along highways , and forest edges in the wilderness .
Each flower blooms for a unmarried day , unremarkably opening in the morning and shriveling when come to in the day ’s heat . It has recollective dope - alike leave with a longitudinal fold or vallecula . It may be domesticate in the shade , although the blooms will be less plentiful than when plant in full sun . While it may grow in various soils , it will thrive in dampish , flaxen soil .
Cutting to a top of 6 to 12 inch in mid - summertime might result in an fall flower and stimulate maturation . Because it is a self - seed perennial , it may become weedy under the veracious term . offshoots can also broadcast it .
There are no major concerns . clod can grow to be reasonably tremendous , necessitating division . Snails occasionally harm this flora , and deer and bunnies occasionally nibble the leaf . Due to its tendency to unfold , the foliage can become unsightly by mid - summer .
Tradescantia Pallida (Moses In The Basket, Purple Heart, Purple Queen, Purple Spiderwort)
Synonyms : Setcreasea pallida , S. pallida , and S. purpurea .
The stunning purple leaf of Tradescantia pallida , a flimsy evergreen repeated native to northeast Mexico ( from Tamaulipas to Yucatan ) , is plant as an ornamental .
Joseph Nelson Rose call it Setcreasea pallida in 1911 , but D.R. Hunt of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew categorize it in the genus Tradescantia in 1975 . S. pallida or S. purpurea is still a common name for this coinage .
On thick stem , drear purple spear - forge leaves up to 7″ long are produced alternately . The whitish pilus cover the fleshy leave of absence , which produce a sheath around the fore .
The stems are rather soft and will pronto snap off if brushed or sound off too forcefully . In cold climates , it will die back to the ground in the wintertime but reappear in the bounce from the roots .
The rambling plant grow to be close to a foot tall but can spread out out much more .
At the ends of the stalks , very small pinkish or pale purple blooms with lifelike yellow stamens bloom from midsummer to descend and intermittently at other periods .
The flowers are 12″ in diam and have three petals , as is characteristic of this species .
The majestic gist is a various plant that may be used as a ground cover , in baskets , as a trailer in assorted containers , or as a houseplant .
They ’re best utilise in large groups for in - ground plantings and spread swiftly . Purple leave stand out against Au , chartreuse , or variegate foliage and work well with pink , light purpleness , or Bourgogne flower on other plants .
Combine it with complementing hues like chartreuse coleus , orange marigolds , or red begonias for a strong look .
The juice from the leaf and stems can occasionally have skin redness and irritation in man and dog ; however , this way out is rare .
Tradescantia Sillamontana (Cobweb Spiderwort; White Gossamer Plant; White Velvet)
equivalent word : Tradescantia pexata
Tradescantia sillamontana , often eff as cobweb spiderwort , is a low - growing perennial groundcover works endemic to arid areas of Mexico . This easy - to - rise plant enjoys moderate shade but will thrive in full sun if the grime is keep soaked . The leaves might burn if they are in direct sunshine during the hottest part of the day .
It may grow in various ground and pH conditions but favors acidulous , loamy soils with good drain . Pinching the tips back will encourage a bushier appearance . If the tips are not pull , it might develop a trailing habit .
They perform well in container ; insure to water them on a regular basis but not too . Between tearing , allow for the soil to dry out a little .
Overwatering , as well as too much shade and atomic number 7 , can make the plant seem unsightly . Watering from above should be avoided .
cut down the works after it has blossom can encourage a second bloom while avoiding self - seeding .
During the winter , stop watering your plants . Although it is relegate as a tropic perennial , it may acquire yearly in colder hardiness geographical zone . More light and less urine will produce a more silvern and compact works .
Reseeding is a problem that may be prevented by pruning the plant back once it has complete blooming .
Tradescantia Spathacea (Boat Lily; Moses In A Basket; Moses-In-The-Cradle; Oyster Plant)
equivalent word : Rhoeo spathacea
A tropic sculptural herbaceous perennial plant of the Commelinaceae syndicate , the boat lily is a tropical sculpturesque herbaceous perennial plant .
The gravy boat lily is prized for its unique inflorescence and appeal leaf . To recognize this industrial plant from other bromeliads , look for the purplish underside of the leaf and the distinctive bract - enclosed peak .
It ’s usually train as a houseplant , but it may also be used as a terrace plant take on deep down during the wintertime . Plant in a well - drain potting medium with lots of indirect light .
If the plant does n’t get enough light , it will stretch out and become gangling , or its purple leaves will turn green . If you keep it alfresco in the summertime , ensure it gets some midday shade .
Allow the top 1 - 2 inch of territory to dry out out between waterings and reduce the water used in the winter .
This easy - to - raise industrial plant flower throughout the year and is well distribute by theme cuttings , division , or seed .
This plant may be grown as a houseplant or in a container that can be actuate indoors when icing is a worry . Because this is the onlyTradescantiathat develop upwards rather than down , it will not function in a hanging hoop .
It may be develop outdoors in zones 9 and above , where it will educate a impenetrable lusterlessness ground cover , but be aware that it is quick naturalized .
T. spathaceaVarieties & Cultivars
Tradescantia Subaspera (Spiderwort; Wideleaf Spiderwort; Zigzag Spiderwort)
Tradescantia subaspera is a recurrent herb that may also be used as a houseplant or interiorscape plant . The leaves are arranged in an switch pattern and fasten at the al-Qa’ida , and they ’re introductory , green goddess - like , and extended .
The axils of the parent leaf can occasionally bring out secondary stems and leave . The fuzzy leaves , which resemble the leaves of a Indian corn husk , contain clear-cut parallel veins .
Its aboriginal habitats include deciduous timberland and borders , ravine , cliff cornerstone , and suspect stream when growing in the wild .
Tradescantia subaspera is exclusively find in the easterly side of the United States , where Spiderwort may farm wild in most res publica .
The Zigzag Spiderwort gets its name from the shape of its fore . At the leaf node in the half of the industrial plant , the shank break focus slightly . The leaves of Wideleaf Spiderwort are broader than those of the rest of the metal money .
In the morning time , the flowers bloom , and in the afternoons , they close . On overcast days , they may stay unfastened for a longer amount of time .
The root construction of this plant is a tangle of unchewable roots , and offsets are occasionally create from the roots . Although it may be grown in various grunge , it thrives in rich , loamy grime .
It does best when not exposed to direct sun for long periods . apprise the tad from the conspicuous midday heat .
There are no severe illnesses or pest hazard . The leaves are eaten by deer , box seat turtles , and wood rabbit rabbits .
Tradescantia Virginiana (Common Spiderwort; Spider Lily; Virginia Spiderwort)
Virginia Spiderwort is a clump - forming herbaceous perennial in the dayflower sept endemic to the eastern and primal United States and find in the Piedmont of North Carolina .
The plants develop clusters and grow 2 - 3 feet tall by 1 metrical foot wide thanks to subsurface stolons . It grow in wet grassland , profuse forests , undefended Wood , hayfield , hillsides , jolty bluffs , stream bank , and roadside ditch .
The 3 - petaled blooms develop in the spring and endure for a day , but smart ones look daily in last bunch .
Flowers come in various people of color , from blue to purple to pink . Cut the stems back once they ’ve done flowering .
The leaves may exit back in the summer heat , but it reappears in the later summer and often reblooms in the drop .
Virginia Spiderwort favors moist to stiff , rich domain , although it may grow in various garden dirt in sunlight and nicety . During dry seasons , provide supererogatory water . employ in a naturalized or forest setting , by a stream or pool , in a rain garden , or along the edge of a native / pollinator garden .
Tradescantia Zebrina (Inch Plant)
equivalent word : Tradescantia pendula ; Zebrina pendula
Tradescantia zebrina is a herbaceous perennial often grow as a houseplant . It has interesting variegated leafage striped unripened , white , and grey leaves with purple undersurface . The leaf are ovate and clasp the base at the base .
Tiny three - petaled lavender - purple flower infrequently appear indoors . leafage nodes on the stem are supposed to be 1 inch asunder , hence the common name column inch plant life . It bear various produce conditions but does serious in permeate sun , fair room temperatures , and moist but well - debilitate grunge . Reduce watering in the winter .
cabbage back to encourage bushy ontogeny . Plants can be pruned back firmly every leap and taken outside on a protected patio in the summer . It is ordinarily maturate in a hanging plenty .
This plant is synonymous with Tradescantia pendula and Zebrina pendula .
When located in full sun , the greatest colour chroma can be appreciate . However , the Sunday can lave out the coloring in more southern locations . In areas with dispirited lighting , the stems can miss their lower leave of absence , and the remaining leaves can miss some beautiful coloring .
reduce hold this creeper contain as well as promotes denser foliage . Removed leggy increment also allows for cuttings that can be used for generation . Although typically grow as a perennial , the cutting can be used to
There are no severe dirt ball or disease take . Soggy territory can induce root rot and root rot . Aphids , mealybug , scale , whiteflies , and spider speck can become a problem if leave untreated . Some hoi polloi develop skin irritations after come into liaison with flora sap .
Known for its spectacular , colourful leaves and speedy growth , it is ofttimes cultivated inside in a hanging basket or as a groundcover in interiorscapes ; each blossom hold out only one twenty-four hours .
T. ZebrianaVarieties & Cultivars
T. zebrina‘Burgundy.’
Burgundy is a plant that present a wide range of mountains of colors according to the ignition and phase of evolution . It can resemble Red Gem or have smaller leaves and more distinct grade insignia .
T. zebrina‘Silver Plus.’
One of the most unwashed zebrinas , this gorgeous potpourri features deep purple tips that transition to silvery unripe over time . This is a basic designation that should not be problematic for you . cutting take very little time to root in grunge ; they can even be placed on top of the dirt and left to ego - theme .
T. zebrina‘Red Gem.’
Red Gem seems to have scarlet - red leaves with weak stripe when strained by the Dominicus . It ’s a pretty deep deep red burgundy when grow in thoroughgoing conditions , with splendid filtrate lighter and frequent water only when the stain is dry .
Red Gem and Silver Plus might appear exchangeable in some lighting . When you make press cutting , it ’s always a good idea to tag them cautiously .
T. zebrinaMulti-Color Discolor
This is one of the most colourful zebrina varieties and one of the few that does n’t command full , direct sun . The ashen variegation can easily burn up in direct temperateness , but the flora thrives with as much igniter as potential .
This type is commonly misguided for Quadricolor but is n’t as static . It ’s also a little less pictorial and shimmering , with muddy hues .
T. zebrina Quadricolor
Quadricolor is a colorful works that comes in a sort of hue . As it grows , the pink and white-hot stripes and variegation will form on theme that appear “ reverted ” and count interchangeable to Silver Plus .
It ’s less colored in the winter ( though it may still create lovely variegation ) , then as the days become longer , the visible light improve , and the flora matures , grow color stripes amid the silver medal and purple .
Color will also appear in raw outgrowth ; quadricolor variegation is carried in the radical , not the parting , and is considered static .
There is no such thing as a reversed quadricolor ; every piece has the potency to generate diversification . Starting with extremely variegate sections will leave in a weak works ; to give the industrial plant the most energy to work with for future growth , limit the lily-white or pink areas to a minimum .
Conclusion
With so many species there is a Tradescantia to suit any part of the home plate . I am sure you will regain one to beseem you . Just consider the pros and inmate of each and you are good to go .
