Also known as Spiderwort · 346 gardener saves
Tradescantia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Tradescantia, the genus most gardeners know as spiderwort. We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Tradescantia varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSweet Kate Spiderwort
Tradescantia occidentalis 'Sweet Kate'
#2 most savedVirginia Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
#3 most savedVariegated Wandering Jew
Tradescantia pallida 'Variegata'
Carmine Glow Spiderwort
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Karminglut'
Leonora Spiderwort
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Leonora'
Concord Grape Spiderwort
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Concord Grape'
Osprey Spiderwort
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Osprey'
Ohio Spiderwort Mrs Loewer
Tradescantia ohiensis 'Mrs Loewer'
JC Wecquelin Spiderwort
Tradescantia x andersoniana 'JC Wecquelin'
Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida
Inch Plant
Tradescantia zebrina
Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart'
Browse all 21 Tradescantia varieties →
How to grow Tradescantia
What the Tradescantia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Tradescantia year
- PruneJune and July67% of varieties
Pinch or cut back leggy stems to encourage bushier growth
- PropagateApril–August52% of varieties
Easily root stem cuttings in water or soil for new plants
- FertilizeApril–August48% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, especially for container plants
- DivideMarch and September48% of varieties
Divide clumps every 3-4 years to rejuvenate vigor
- Winter PrepSeptember and October43% of varieties
Take cuttings or move container plants indoors before the first hard frost.
- Pinch TipsApril–August33% of varieties
Pinch back stem tips regularly to encourage fuller, bushier growth.
Do
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Prune to shape and remove dead stems
- Fertilize monthly during active growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Ignore pruning, which keeps plant tidy
What goes wrong with Tradescantia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted new growth | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White cottony clusters on stems | Apply insecticidal soap and remove manually |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage, reduce watering, and repot if necessary |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply fungicide |
Making more Tradescantia
Cuttings
- Select healthy stems and cut 4-inch sections.
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone.
- Plant in moist soil or water to root, taking 4–6 weeks.
Division
- Divide clumps in early spring.
- Replant divisions in prepared soil.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Tradescantia questions
How many types of Tradescantia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Tradescantia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 346 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Tradescantia grow in?
Across its varieties, Tradescantia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tradescantia bloom?
Most Tradescantia varieties bloom in late spring to mid-summer, late spring, summer, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tradescantia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Tradescantia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
