Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) Indoor Care, Propagation and Growing Problems

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Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) prospers in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.

Tradescantia virginiana also called Common Spiderwort or Spider Lily is one of the popular Tradescantia varieties and bears blue, purple, magenta or white flowers which are borne in summer.

Common Spiderwort is a perennial herbaceous plant with alternate, simple leaves, on tubular stems. It bears long, erect or arching bright green leaves. The plant is a prolific bloomer with each flower lasting only a day.

Virginia Spiderwort spreads by means of underground stolons forming clumps and grows 2-3 feet tall by 1 foot wide.

On account of its striking foliage and striking flowers, Spider Lily is one of the best plants for the office space as it will brighten up any space.

Botanical name: Tradescantia virginiana
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Virginia Spiderwort, Common Spiderwort, Spider Lily

Origin

Tradescantia virginiana is native to the eastern and central USA.

Toxicity

Tradescantia virginiana is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling this plant.

Tradescantia virginiana Care Indoors

Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) performs best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-27⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Tradescantia virginiana requires repotting only when extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, to encourage a bushy, compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Virginia Spiderwort grows best in bright indirect light (dappled light). Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Common Spiderwort can be grown under grow lights if the natural light is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights available on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent leggy growth.

Watering

Water Virginia Spiderwort thoroughly during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil consistently moist.

Water less during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and loss of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth of 16-27⁰C is ideal for Virginia Spiderwort. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperatures as they can cause reduced growth and leaf drop.

Virginia Spiderwort has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this plant. However, if the temperatures are too high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to increase humidity.

Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean and discourage pest and disease infestations. Ensure that there is proper circulation to reduce fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Virginia Spiderwort with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Stop feeding in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Potting Mix

The best soil for Virginia Spiderwort should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal.

Repotting

Repot Virginia Spiderwort during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Virginia Spiderwort involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestations.

To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cutback leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) can be propagated during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings.

How to propagate Virginia Spiderwort by plant division

Water the Virginia Spiderwort thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.

Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the pot with loose, free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.

Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.

Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Spider Lily is well established after which you can begin routine care.

How to propagate Virginia Spiderwort from stem cuttings

The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Virginia Spiderwort of about 4-6 inches and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.

Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.

Fill a rooting container with loose, free-draining soil to a depth of about 4 inches. Lightly moisten the soil.

With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the cutting. Carefully insert the cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 inches.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.

Allow the new Common Spiderwort to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.

Tradescantia virginiana Problems

Virginia Spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) problems include leggy growth, loss of leaf color, plant dying, dropping leaves, yellowing leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Plant dying

Virginia Spiderwort is dying due to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil (excess water in the soil). Make sure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.

Diseases

Another common disease in Virginia Spiderwort is leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease.

Pests

Common pests in Virginia Spiderwort are mealy bugs, aphids and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat it appropriately for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Limp stems, yellow leaves

Limp stems and yellow leaves in Virginia Spiderwort are due to underwatering. This results in too little moisture in the soil. Underwatering means that there is not enough water in the soil for the plant to take up. As such, the stems become limp and the leaves begin to die.

Water the Common Spiderwort liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil consistently moist. Lessen watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Read more on how to water indoor plants the right way.

Leggy growth (elongated stems)

There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Virginia Spiderwort. One possible cause is too little light. Position the plant in a brighter spot as it requires bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural lighting is not adequate for this plant. Check out this post on understanding light for houseplants.

The second cause of leggy growth in Common Spiderwort is underwatering resulting too little moisture in the soil and thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth. Water the plant thoroughly to maintain the soil moist at all times during the growing season and reduce watering in the cold season but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third cause of leggy growth in Spider Lily is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the plant every 4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Do not feed in the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to feed houseplants.

Dropping leaves

Virginia Spiderwort will readily drop its leaves if the light is inadequate (too little). Ensure to position the plant in a brightly lit place where it can receive bright indirect light. If the lighting in your home is not adequate, consider investing is a grow light to supplement it.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color in Virginia Spiderwort is caused by inadequate light (too little light). Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if you do not have enough light in your home.

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