Ohio spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis · Commelinaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant ohio spiderwort: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- Spring to summer (May-July)
- Adult size
- 30-60 cm tall, spreading habit
- Growth
- Rapid
- Hardiness
- Low hardiness (zone 9-11, frost-sensitive)
- Origin
- United States (Midwest, Ohio and adjacent regions)
- Soil type
- Well-draining, fertile and fresh, slightly acidic
Care
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but without creating waterlogging. Reduce watering in winter or if the plant enters dormancy. Prefer watering at the base rather than spraying to prevent foliage diseases.
Light
Place your Ohio spiderwort in bright light, ideally in partial shade in warm regions. It tolerates light shade but flowers better with at least a few hours of indirect sun daily. Protect it from intense afternoon sun in summer.
Pruning and maintenance
Pinch young stems in spring to encourage a bushier habit. Remove dead or damaged stems as needed throughout the seasons. Cut back lightly after flowering to stimulate branching.
Fertilizing
Apply a balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or similar) once or twice a month during the growing period (spring-summer). Reduce applications in autumn and stop in winter if the plant enters dormancy.
Soil preparation
Prepare a substrate rich in organic matter (potting soil, compost) with added sand or perlite to ensure good drainage. Check the pH: spiderwort prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Diseases and pests
Watch out for powdery mildew and downy mildew if humidity is excessive or air circulation is poor. Regularly inspect leaves for spider mites or scale insects. Ensure good air circulation around the plant and avoid wetting the foliage.
Did you know?
Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) is called 'Spiderwort' in English because its flowers resemble small spider webs. For many years it was used in phytotoxicology as an indicator plant for radioactive pollution: its chromosomes change color under radiation exposure, making it an educational tool in school laboratories.
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
- SpiderwortTradescantia fluminensis
- Commelina diffusaCommelina diffusa
- Commelina cyaneaCommelina cyanea
- Commelina benghalensisCommelina benghalensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.