Quick answer: Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is native to 24 states. What's commonly sold under this name is the true wild species. No live listing of the true species was found as of 16 Sep 2026.
Photo: NPS Photo, Wikimedia Commons (PD)
Where it's native
Listed in the directory as native to these states. Click a state for its full native-plant guide.
Growing conditions
From the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database.
| Sun | Sun, Part Shade, Shade |
|---|---|
| Water | Low-Medium water, Dry-Moist |
| Soil | Humus-rich soil, adaptable to wide range - moist/dry, clay/sand, acid/alkaline |
| Bloom | Bloom Mar-Aug |
| Height | Usually 2 ft, up to 3 ft tall |
| Wildlife value | Attracts bees and butterflies, special value to native and bumble bees |
Leaves poisonous; minor skin irritation if touched
none noted formally; can spread rapidly by seed under favorable conditions
Buying it
No live listing of the true wild species was found as of 16 Sep 2026 — that means our last search didn't surface one, not that the plant is unavailable.
No live seed or plant listing found as of 16 Sep 2026. That means our last search didn't surface one — not that the plant is unavailable. Try a regional native-plant nursery.
Quick answers about Virginia spiderwort
Where is Virginia spiderwort native?
Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is native to 24 states across the Northeast, Midwest and South. Check your state's page in this directory for the full list of plants native where you live.
When does Virginia spiderwort bloom?
Virginia spiderwort blooms Mar-Aug. Exact timing shifts a few weeks with latitude and elevation.
What growing conditions does Virginia spiderwort need?
Light: Sun, Part Shade, Shade. Water: Low-Medium water, Dry-Moist. Soil: Humus-rich soil, adaptable to wide range - moist/dry, clay/sand, acid/alkaline. Mature height: Usually 2 ft, up to 3 ft tall.
Is Virginia spiderwort good for pollinators and wildlife?
Yes. Wildlife value: Attracts bees and butterflies, special value to native and bumble bees.
Is Virginia spiderwort deer-resistant or drought-tolerant?
Virginia spiderwort is drought-tolerant and tolerates shade.
Is Virginia spiderwort toxic?
Leaves poisonous; minor skin irritation if touched.
Where can I buy Virginia spiderwort?
We haven't found an online listing of the true wild species as of 16 Sep 2026. A regional native-plant nursery or native seed company is your best source; ask for Tradescantia virginiana by its scientific name.
Similar native plants
Native plants that share growing conditions or range with Virginia spiderwort.
- Steeplebush Spiraea tomentosa
- Fire pink Silene virginica
- Sweet-fern Comptonia peregrina
- Southern arrowwood Viburnum dentatum
- Jacob's ladder Polemonium reptans
- Smooth Solomon's seal Polygonatum biflorum
Also listed under
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