2 named cultivars

perennial

Small-leaf Spiderwort

Tradescantia fluminensis

Same species

2 named cultivars

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

7 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Southern Brazil to northern Argentina

Toxicity

Sap irritates skin

The Story

Plant Bio

Tradescantia fluminensis, wandering dude or small-leaf spiderwort, is a fast trailing evergreen perennial from southern Brazil and northern Argentina. Succulent stems root at every node and run two feet or more, carrying glossy oval leaves in plain green, white-striped or purple-flushed forms, with small three-petalled white flowers appearing through the season. Indoors it is one of the easiest plants there is; outdoors in frost-free regions it is a serious invasive, smothering forest floors in Florida, Hawaii and beyond because every broken fragment roots. Keep it in a container, never plant it out where winters are mild, and bin cuttings rather than composting them. The sap irritates skin.

Uses & Benefits:

Fast trailing stems of glossy green, white-striped or purple-flushed leaves for baskets and shelves.

Among the easiest houseplants to grow and propagate — cuttings root in a glass of water within days.

Negative outdoors in warm climates, where it smothers native ground flora and is very hard to remove.

Planting

How to Grow

Grow it in a hanging basket or container, not open ground.
Give it bright indirect light for the strongest colour.
Water when the top inch of compost dries.
Pinch the tips regularly to keep it bushy.
Bin all cuttings and prunings rather than composting.
Never plant it out in a frost-free climate.

Pro Tip

Pinch the tips hard and often — an unpinched plant goes bare at the centre with all the leaves at the ends of long bare stems.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Keep it in a container or basket 🪴
Pinch the tips to keep it full ✂️
Give it bright indirect light 🪟
Bag cuttings for disposal 🗑️

Don't

Plant it outdoors in a mild climate ❌
Compost the prunings ❌
Let it sit in soggy compost ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pinch
Restart

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Hanging baskets and indoor containersTrailing over shelves and windowsillsNot recommended for outdoor planting

Companion Plants

Pothos Spider Plant Philodendron Peperomia Prayer Plant

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Small-leaf Spiderwort questions

What zones can Small-leaf Spiderwort grow in?

Small-leaf Spiderwort is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Small-leaf Spiderwort deer resistant?

Yes — Small-leaf Spiderwort is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Small-leaf Spiderwort bloom?

Small-leaf Spiderwort typically blooms in spring to fall through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Small-leaf Spiderwort need full sun?

Small-leaf Spiderwort does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.