Ohio spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis
Ohio spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Commelinaceae family, native to Prairies, roadsides and open woods of the eastern and central United States. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -32 °C (-26 °F). Space plants about 40 cm (16 in) apart.
Plan Ohio spiderwort in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Ohio spiderwort at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Commelinaceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 40 cm (16 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -32 °C (-26 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Prairies, roadsides and open woods of the eastern and central United States |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇨🇦 Canada, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Ohio spiderwort toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap
The sap can irritate skin in sensitive people and pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Ohio spiderwort
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Ohio spiderwort
- How far apart should I plant Ohio spiderwort?
- About 40 cm (16 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Ohio spiderwort need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Ohio spiderwort need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Ohio spiderwort?
- It tolerates about -32 °C (-26 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Ohio spiderwort flower?
- From about May for 6–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Ohio spiderwort poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The sap can irritate skin in sensitive people and pets.
- What grows well with Ohio spiderwort?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Ohio spiderwort. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- Illinois Wildflowers (descriptions and insect-visitor records), John Hilty, illinoiswildflowers.info
Notes and assumptions
- Arching, grassy blue-green leaves and clusters of three-petalled blue flowers that each open for one morning and melt away by afternoon, in late spring and early summer. Its stamen hairs change colour from blue to pink under low doses of radiation, so it has been used as a biological radiation detector.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Inch plant (silver inch plant, wandering dude) Tradescantia zebrina
- Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) Tradescantia spathacea
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea