Spiderwort is also known as “Cow slobber” as it excretes a juice from its sap which stretches and is thread like and silky. It is of gooey quality and since it is silky as that of a spider web, hence the name Spiderwort. Spiderworts are native of America. They are of monocot class, which is short for monocotyledon, meaning “single seed” leaf. They are herbaceous perennial which bloom in full summer but also can color all season.
They are tender, and grown in tropical areas as houseplants or as groundcovers. They grow in height up to 45 to 60 cm. They are narrow and have strap-like leaves and have clusters of three-petaled flowers. The petals are triangular in shape and have six of the yellow stamens. The flowers are about 2.5cms across. They are short lived, about one day to last, but new ones are produced over a period. Each stem can produce up to 20 or more flowers. The petals quickly decompose after blooming. In north the bloom is usually in mid-summer and in south, the blooming is in early spring. To enhance blooming, they can be cut back. They are in blue, white and pink forms. The hybrids have been obtained by mix of the above forms and they include shades of blue, lavender, pink, purple and magenta and white. The foliage can vary from bright yellow to purplish. Zwanenberg Blue, Blue Stone, Leonara or Purple Dome, Purple profusion and Iris Pritchard are the given names of these flowers.
The other spiderworts on the Great Plains are T. occidentalis and T. tharpii
Growing Conditions of Spiderwort
• Sow the seeds of spiderwort in early spring or autumn.
• Cover the seeds with soil lightly.
• Based on size they need to space from 30-45cm apart.
• The pH of the soil needs to 5-6 and needs to be moist, rich and well drained.
• Provide the plants to partially shaded sun.
• If sunny keep the soil moist.
• Indoors, sowing needs to be seven weeks in advance.
• Germinate them from Ten days to six weeks
• The germination temperature needs to be 20 degree centigrade.
• Transplant them outdoors about a week after the last frost of spring.
Care for Spiderwort
• Full sun in north and shade from afternoon sun is recommended.
• Soil should be well-drained.
• Sun enhances blooming, but keeping the soil moist.
• Soil can be acidic or alkaline and clay or sandy.
• Cut back dead foliage.
• They can be regenerated for detached roots.
• Cutting back once they have flowered should result in a second bloom in the autumn.
• Spiderworts are self seeders so dead-heading is required to prevent spreading.
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