“Jon Zander (Digon3)" / CC BY-SA 3.0
garden
Spiderwort
Tradescantia
EdibleMedicinal
Overview
A native perennial whose three-petaled flowers in vivid blue, purple, and pink open fresh each morning and dissolve by afternoon, creating a constantly renewing display. Spiderwort is remarkably useful as a biological indicator — its stamens change color in response to radiation and chemical pollution. All parts are edible and were used as food and medicine by numerous Native American peoples.
Growing Conditions
LightPartial Sun
MoistureModerate
Hardiness Zones7 — 11
Height0.4m
Spread0.3m
Growth HabitForb/herb
Pollinator Valuemoderate
Companion Planting & Soil
Good Companions
Soil pH5.5 — 7.5
Soil TypeMoist, fertile, well-drained soil; adaptable to most conditions
Planting Calendar
When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.
| Zone | Action | Months | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold (1-2) | Transplant | May — Jun | Plant in spring; native perennial; three-petaled blue-purple flowers |
| Cold (1-2) | Bloom | May — Jul | Blue-purple flowers open mornings; each flower lasts one day |
| Cool (3-4) | Transplant | Apr — May | Plant in spring; adaptable to sun or shade; flowers open in morning |
| Cool (3-4) | Bloom | May — Jul | Spring/summer bloom; flowers close by afternoon; indicator of radiation exposure |
| Moderate (5-7) | Transplant | Mar — Apr | Plant in spring; cut back hard after first bloom for rebloom in fall |
| Moderate (5-7) | Bloom | Apr — Jul | Long bloom spring through summer; shear back for fall rebloom |
| Moderate (5-7) | Divide | Mar — Apr | Divide every 3-4 years in spring; easy to propagate |
| Warm (8-9) | Transplant | Feb — Mar | Plant in late winter; shade tolerant |
| Warm (8-9) | Bloom | Mar — Jun | Spring bloom; goes dormant in summer heat |
| Hot (10+) | Transplant | Nov — Dec | Plant in fall; needs afternoon shade in hot zones |
| Hot (10+) | Bloom | Feb — May | Late winter/spring bloom; dormant in summer |
Uses
Culinary
- Young leaves and stems cooked as a pot green
- Flowers as edible garnish
- Mucilaginous sap used to thicken soups (traditionally)
Medicinal
- Poultice from crushed leaves for insect bites and stings
- Traditional laxative and stomach remedy
Other Uses
- Biological pollution indicator (stamen hair cells change color)
- Low-maintenance native perennial for naturalized plantings
