They will grow rapidly and can becomeinvasivein their outdoor environment if left to their own devices.
However, indoor plants remain more contained.
Some types ofTradescantiamay be mildly toxic to humans and animals.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Spiderwort plants are virtually carefree.
One of the only difficult aspects of growing spiderwort plants as houseplants is achieving the right moisture level.
These plants liken consistently moist soil but don’t like being soggy or waterlogged.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
You will also notice the plant normally produces many dead leaves as fast as it produces new growth.
For plant hygiene, you might go over the plant every so often and pick out the dead leaves.
Light
Spiderwort plants do best inbright but indirect sunlight.
Amphawan Chanunpha / Getty Images
If it’s dry, it’s time to water your plant.
When it comes to humidity levels, spiderwort plants love above-average moisture.
Start by keeping them in a typically humid area of the home, like a bathroom or kitchen.
Pierre-Yves Babelon / Getty Images
you could also mist the plant lightly every few days or invest in a small humidifier.
Fertilizer
Spiderwort plants don’t require much, if any, feeding.
At most, use a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength bimonthly.
More aggressive feeding can cause the plant’s leaves to lose their variegation.
To avoid legginess, regularlyprune or pinch backthe stems by at least 25 percent.
Outdoors spiderwort is considered an overly aggressive grower.
It grows equally fast indoors, but it can be contained.
It grows about an inch a week, which is why it’s also called an inch plant.
Expect a full-grown plant in about six months after it’s planted as a seedling.
Even with the best of care, spiderwort houseplants have a somewhat short lifespan of just a few years.
Tradescantia.North Carolina State Extension.
Tradescantia fluminensis.North Carolina State Extension.
