To be care healthy growth Spiderwort plant, it requires bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, regular watering, proper temperature and humidity.
Introduction
Spiderwort has simple foliage and small flowers with three petals. Many types of Spiderwort plants are found in tropical climates. This plant is a wildflower characterised plant and has grass like long strappy leaves and three petaled flowers that open in morning and close in afternoon.
However, if you can provide the appropriate growing conditions, your plant may survive up to 2 to 3 years. I have shared the steps taken to grow this plant care in this article which will guide you.
Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Monocots
- Clade: Commelinids
- Order: Commelinales
- Family: Commelinaceae
- Subfamily: Commelinoideae
- Tribe: Tradescantieae
- Subtribe: Tradescantiinae
- Genus: Tradescantia
Prefers
- Light – Bright, indirect light
- Soil – Well draining
- Soil pH – 6.8 to 7.2
- Temperature – 65–75°F
- Humidity – 40-80%
- Blooming time – Spring and Summer
- Flower colour – Blue, purple
- Native area – United States, Canada and South America
- Toxicity – Human and pets
Spiderwort plant care
Adequate amounts of water, light, soil, temperature and fertiliser should be obtained for the plant to grow. The problems and benefits of the plant have also been shared in this article. This article will help you with all the essentials you need to grow your plant.
If you want to know Parlor plam care.
Light
Spiderworts plant are flexible for their growing conditions that including light exposure. This plant prefers bright, indirect light conditions and also tolerate full sun to medium light. If you notice difference in the amount of blooms so choice the sunnier spot and move your plant.
Water
This plant is drought tolerant and does best in moist soil. Get water your plant weekly in the Summer and reduce water in winter.You can check the moisture level of the soil a few inches down in the pot to determine if it needs watering. Avoid watering when the foliage can cause brown spot. This plant is sensitive to overwatering and can develop root rot if their roots stay too wet.
Soil
Spiderwort prefers moist, well draining with slightly acidic soil and pH level is 6.8 to 7.2. The best potting mix like a balance of peat moss, perlite and compost is essential.You can improve the drainage of your soil by mixing in some sand or perlite.
Temperature & humidity
This plant prefer temperature between 65° and 75° Fahrenheit. Spiderwort plant can tolerate warm temperature and should not be kept in temperature below 50 degree Fahrenheit. The temperature below can damage or discolour the leaves. The ideal humidity range is between 40-70%. It has adapted humidity to a range of hardiness zone and allowing from early spring to last summer.This plant appreciate of extra humidity but doesn’t need additional moisture if grown in a dry climate.
Fertiliser
If you want to your plant grow quickly then apply a balance fertiliser monthly. If your soil is fertile then extra feeding is not necessary. Excessive amount feeding can cause the plant’s leaves to lose their variegation. The balance NPK ratio is 10-10-10 with grow a healthy plant.
Propagation of Spiderwort plant care
Propagation is the process when you want to grow up another plant. The best way to propagate your plant is to divide large clumps in early Spring.The best time to take your plant cutting for propagation is growing season when the plant actively grow healthy.Use a sterilised scissors to cut the part and place it in containers with proper care.
Pruning of Spiderwort plant care
Pruning is the essential part of its care that keeps your plant healthy and encourage growth. Trimming your plant for new growth to produce more new branches. Make sure to trim just above a set of leaves and regular pruning will also increase the chances of the plant producing its stunning, fragrant flowers.
When the foliage becoming yellow then cut back to 8-12 inches high and promote more blooms. Identify the leggy or overgrown stems. It is good idea to divide the plants in Spring.
Types of Spiderwort plant
- Tricolour : Another variety of Spiderwort plant is tricolour, it has stripy foliage with green and cream blush. It can tolerate different light conditions.
- Green Ghost : This plant is the variety of Spiderwort, it has lance shaped leaves with lush, vibrant green colour leaves.
- Green glow : Another variety of Spiderwort plant, it grow best in hanging baskets and they thrives in a location with indirect light.
- Purple Profusion : This variety has multiple buds and purple tinged foliage. It is drought tolerant plant.
Repotting of Spiderwort plant care
When the signs of Spiderwort needs repotting include root crowding, slow drainage. Repot your plant every growing season when you notice roots coming out of the top of soil. Choose a larger container with well draining potting mix such as a cactus mix, or a standard potting mix with additional peat moss. Select a pot that is at least 1 to 2 inches wider than the current container.
The best time to repot your plant in early spring. Prepare a new container adding some layer of soil, to remove the palm from its old container. Carefully remove the excess amount of soil from the root before placing this plant in a new container.
Common problem of Spiderwort plant
- The most common problem is overwatering. Spiderwort plant is sensitive to soggy soil conditions. Overwatering will lead to root rot and damage.
- Low humidity can causes brown tips and yellow foliage is deficiency of light.
- Aphids and Spidermites can causes to curl and fall off.
Benefits of Spiderwort plant
- The leaves and roots of this plant is used in medicine as an antidiarrheal, analgesic and anthelmintic.
- It is natural air purifier plant which can remove toxin like formaldehyde, toluene and benzene.
- This plant is easy to care and low maintenance. It produce flowers for 4-6 weeks from Spring to early Summer.
Spider wort plant faq
1. Is the plant easy to care?
Ans. Yes, Spiderwort is easy to care and a good choice for beginners.
2. Should I cut back Spiderwort?
Ans. Cut back this plant in Summer after finishing the blooming.
3. How did spiderwort get its name?
Ans. Spiderwort gets its name from the thick, sticky secretion that is present when a stem is cut.