Spiderwort
Tradescantia fluminensis · Commelinaceae
📷 Enrique Dans from Madrid, Spain · CC BY 2.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around spiderwort and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, green and white variegated
- Flowering
- Small white flowers, spring-summer
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm long, trailing habit
- Growth
- Very fast
- Hardiness
- Tropical plant, min. 10 °C
- Origin
- Brazil (Amazon basin)
- Soil type
- Light, well-draining, rich in organic matter
Expert tips
The key tip
Arrose régulièrement mais laisse le substrat sécher légèrement entre deux apports, c'est son équilibre optimal. En hiver, réduis drastiquement : deux arrosages par mois suffisent, car la croissance ralentit et l'excès d'humidité provoque des pourritures racinaires quasi irréversibles.
The common mistake
Les jardiniers noient cette plante en croyant bien faire. Elle meurt bien plus souvent d'excès d'eau que de sécheresse, surtout en pot sans drainage optimal. Un terreau qui reste mouillé pendant plus de 3-4 jours tue les racines.
The pro's trick
Rempote-la chaque printemps dans un mélange enrichi de perlite ou billes d'argile pour aérer le substrat. Ce simple geste double sa vigueur et élimine les problèmes de compaction qui ralentissent l'absorption hydrique et causent des stagnations.
Seasonal watch
En automne-hiver, surveille l'araignée rouge qui explose en intérieur chauffé et sec. Brumise le feuillage une fois par semaine ou pose la potée sur un plateau avec cailloux et eau, cela limite drastiquement les infestations et rajeunit le port.
Care
Watering
Keep the substrate constantly moist, without waterlogging. Water 2 to 3 times per week during the growing season, reduce in winter. Prefer soft water at room temperature. Allow to dry slightly between waterings.
Light and exposure
Place the plant in bright, indirect or filtered light. Avoid direct sunlight, which fades the foliage. It tolerates partial shade but thrives in bright conditions. An east or west-facing window is ideal.
Pruning and pinching
Pinch the tips regularly to encourage branching and densify the habit. Cut stems that grow excessively long to maintain a compact shape. Remove yellowed or damaged leaves as needed.
Fertilizing
Fertilize every 15 days during the growing season (April to September) with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. In winter, reduce to once a month or suspend temporarily if growth slows.
Substrate
Use a light mix based on leaf mold, peat and perlite or coarse sand to ensure drainage. Overly compact soil promotes root suffocation and rot.
Diseases and pests
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, especially in dry conditions. Yellowed and sticky leaves signal an infestation. Mist the foliage regularly to increase humidity and prevent attacks. Good air circulation reduces the risk of mold.
Did you know?
Tradescantia fluminensis owes its name to the Fluminense River in Brazil, near Rio de Janeiro. In the 19th century, it conquered European gardens as an easy houseplant, prized for its spectacular growth and variegated foliage. Its ephemeral flowers—hence its nickname 'Spiderwort'—last only one day, but renew continuously in spring.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Wooly SpiderwortTradescantia sillamontana
- Asiatic dayflowerCommelina communis
- Commelina diffusaCommelina diffusa
- Ohio spiderwortTradescantia ohiensis
- Commelina cyaneaCommelina cyanea
- Commelina benghalensisCommelina benghalensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.