Quick answer: Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is native to 2 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 register 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.
Also listed under
Get the full buying guide
Every pick worth knowing across pollinators, shade, drought and more, in one PDF, with the tradeoffs spelled out. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.