Biological Name:
Tradescantia ohiensis
Natural Habitat:
Ohio-Spiderwort: This plant is native to eastern North America, and can be found in moist meadows, along streams, and in other damp areas.
Description:
Ohio-spiderwort is a type of flowering plant that is commonly found in fields and other grassy areas. It is a member of the Commelinaceae family which also includes plants such as dayflowers and wandering Jews. Ohio-spiderwort is an annual or perennial plant that produces small blue or purple flowers and clusters of seeds. The plant is often used as a cover crop to improve soil health and suppress weeds. It is also known for its ability to tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet or dry soils. In some areas Ohio-spiderwort is considered a weed because of its ability to invade cultivated areas and cause allergies and other health problems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is Ohio spiderwort invasive?
A: Spiderwort is invasive and tough to eradicate.
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Q: How fast does spiderwort spread?
A: Outdoors spiderwort is considered an overly aggressive grower. It grows equally fast indoors, but it can be contained. It grows about an inch a week, which is why it’s also called an inch plant. Expect a full-grown plant in about six months after it’s planted as a seedling.
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Q: Are spiderwort flowers poisonous?
A: Minor skin irritation if touched. Symptoms include skin irritation with redness and itching, but of low risk. Toxic Principle: Unidentified, possibly oxalate crystals.
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Q: Does Ohio spiderwort need full sun?
A: Also known as Bluejacket, Tradescantia ohiensis will tolerate very light shade, but flowers best in full sun. Very adaptable and easy to grow in a wide range of soils, it will self-seed readily under ideal circumstances.
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Q: Where is the best place to plant spiderwort?
A: Spiderworts typically grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil, though I have found the plants to be quite forgiving in the garden and tolerant of many soil conditions. Spiderwort plants do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist.
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Q: How quickly does spiderwort spread?
A: Outdoors spiderwort is considered an overly aggressive grower. It grows equally fast indoors, but it can be contained. It grows about an inch a week, which is why it’s also called an inch plant. Expect a full-grown plant in about six months after it’s planted as a seedling.
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Q: Is spiderwort toxic to dogs?
A: Two toxic perennial spring-flowering plants are lily-of-the-valley and daffodils, and both are toxic to humans and pets. An alternative to lily-of-the-valley is Virginia spiderwort, and instead of daffodils, plant spring crocuses. Avoid fall crocuses, though, which are highly toxic.
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Q: Should spiderwort be deadheaded?
A: Deadheading may be necessary to encourage repeated blooming of your spiderwort. As a native wildflower, spiderwort does not have any serious pest or disease problems.
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Q: What to do with spiderwort after it blooms?
A: A: Spiderwort usually ends up looking pretty ratty by mid-summer after it’s done blooming. This is a tough enough perennial that you can cut the whole plant back to the ground, and within a few weeks, it’ll push up fresh new growth and look so much better the rest of the season.
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Q: How do you keep spiderwort blooming?
A: Spiderwort demands constantly damp soil if it is to bloom continually. You can not put this plant in the full sun and allow the surrounding soil to dry out. It will quickly stop blooming if you do.
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Q: How tall does Ohio spiderwort get?
A: The branched, erect stems of bluejacket or Ohio spiderwort are tinged purple and bear grass-like leaves from up to eight nodes. The total height is from 2-3 ft. Showy clusters of blue, three-petaled flowers top the stems.
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Q: How does Ohio spiderwort spread?
A: Being a self-seeding perennial, with the right conditions, it can be somewhat weedy. It can also spread by offshoots. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious issues. Clumps can become quite large, division may be necessary.
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Q: Does spiderwort come back every year?
A: Growing Season Pruning Spiderworts will often bloom again in late summer to fall if you cut them back in midsummer after their first flush of bloom. The Missouri Botanical Garden recommends cutting back the plant hard, almost to the ground, after the foliage fades and the temperatures get hot.
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Q: Is Ohio spiderwort toxic?
A: The leaves are similar to grass blades, and the flowers are small, making them somewhat difficult to detect in small numbers. Problems (minor): Snails may harm young foliage. Capable of self-seeding, can spread aggressively. Poisonous: The sap may irritate the skin, causing dermatitis.
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Q: Is spiderwort poisonous to dogs?
A: Two toxic perennial spring-flowering plants are lily-of-the-valley and daffodils, and both are toxic to humans and pets. An alternative to lily-of-the-valley is Virginia spiderwort, and instead of daffodils, plant spring crocuses. Avoid fall crocuses, though, which are highly toxic.
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Q: Is spiderwort good for anything?
A: Tradescantia ohiensis also has medicinal properties. The plant’s crushed leaves are purported to alleviate the sting of insect bites while a tea made out of boiled roots has use as a laxative. It has been an eye-opening experience to learn so much new information about a familiar garden face.
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Q: Should spiderwort be cut back after blooming?
A: Once they have ceased blooming in the summer, they can be cut back severely, and other plants, perhaps annuals, can be interspersed to keep the area attractive. Since they are perennials, they will come back and, of course, spread.
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Q: How do you stop spiderwort from spreading?
A: Controlling Tropical Spiderwort This should be done by removing the weeds as soon as they emerge from the soil. Not only will this make removing the plant much easier, but it will also ensure that it does not have the opportunity to multiply.
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Q: How do I get rid of spiderwort in my lawn?
A: Tropical spiderwort can be dug up, plowing, mulching, raking and prescribed fires. However, physical control is difficult because it can re-establish from remaining plant fragments.
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