Growing guide · Perennials

Tradescantia (Andersoniana Group)

How to grow Spiderwort 'Radtrad (Amethyst Kiss™)'.

Three petals, deep violet, every morning.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4–9
Size
12–18 in. tall and wide
Spacing
15–18 in. apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $34.99
Spiderwort with grassy green leaves and three-petaled violet-blue flowers

Light

Sun to part shade. Afternoon shade helps it stay neat in hot summers.

Water

Keep it evenly moist. It tolerates wet soil better than drought.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or early fall, crown at soil level.

Feeding

A little compost in spring.

Pruning

After the first bloom flush, cut the whole plant back by half; it regrows and reblooms.

Through the year

Up in mid-spring. Main bloom June to July, more after a cutback.

If something's off

Foliage gets sprawly in midsummer heat; the cutback fixes it. The sap can irritate skin, and it's not one for pets to chew.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Hosta 'Halcyon'
HostaHosta 'Halcyon' from $36.99
Turtlehead 'Hot Lips'
Chelone lyoniiTurtlehead 'Hot Lips' from $31.99
Jacob's Ladder 'Stairway to Heaven'
Polemonium reptansJacob's Ladder 'Stairway to Heaven' from $34.99

Why we stock it: Easy, steady color for moist, partly shaded spots.

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

Know someone with the right spot? Send them this.

Next
Find your next plant →
All perennials →How we label →

Kits with Spiderwort 'Radtrad (Amethyst Kiss™)'.

All plant kits →
The Rain Garden Rain garden kit The Rain Garden Turns the soggy spot into the best spot. SummersweetHibiscusBlue flag irisTurtleheadChokeberryAll 5 native or native varietyZones 4–911 plants · $519.894 × 8 ft low spot
The Sunday Tip · every Sunday

One good plant idea,
every Sunday.

What to plant this week in your zone, every Sunday. New ways to plant and odd tricks that actually work.