Tradescantia subaspera

Common Names

Zigzag Spiderwort, Spiderwort, Wide-Leaved Spiderwort

Summary

Tradescantia subaspera, Zigzag Spiderwort, is a clump-forming, perennial herb native to the eastern United States with zigzag stems and leaves up to 12 inches long and 2 inches wide, it bears violet-blue to purple three-petaled flowers with six yellow anthers in terminal clusters that open in the morning and last a day, and has a fibrous root system that forms occasional clonal offsets, reaching about 2 to 3 feet tall, it prefers partial to full shade and moist, fertile loam or well-drained soils, is hardy in zones 5–9, and can naturalize in woodland or shade gardens, propagation is by division or self-seeding, with soil kept evenly moist to avoid root rot and periodic pruning to promote bushier growth and longer bloom, foliage may decline after flowering, so cutting back to the ground encourages new growth, it attracts native bees, especially bumblebees, and, while generally easy to grow, handling requires gloves due to saponins and potential toxicity if ingested

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-3 feet

Spread

24-30 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5a-9b

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Partial Shade, tolerates Partial Sun, Full Shade, Full Sun.

Soil Type

Loamy, well-drained soil rich in organic matter, pH 6.0–7.0

Soil Drainage

Well-drained, consistently moist soil (not waterlogged).

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Bloom Color

Blue to Purple

Bloom Time

May to September (Spring through Fall)

Foliage Color

Dark green

Fall Foliage Color

Bright green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees and syrphid flies