Annuals – Purple Spiderwort

Purple spiderwort 

Botanical name: tradescantia pallida

Beginner friendly?: yes

Average size at maturity: about a foot and a half in height and in width 

Bloom time:  summer 

Hardy zone: zones 9-11 

Flower color: pink/purple/white 

Foliage color: green/purple/blue

Growth rate: can reach fully mature size in first growing season 

Pruning instructions: deadhead and remove dead or dying foliage as needed

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: can be used as groundcover or as a trailing plant in a hanging basket

Light needs: about 4 hours of sun per day 

Special features: acts as a pain and itch relief 

Watering instructions:  allow soil to partially dry between watering sessions

Fertilizing instructions : use a slow release liquid fertilizer in the early spring

Best time to plant: spring 

Best type of soil:  loam, sand 

Companion plants: aster, coreopsis, gardenia

Toxicity level: potentially mildly toxic if ingested 

Invasive species: no