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Prairie Spiderwort

Tradescantia occidentalis

The western spiderwort, with grassy foliage and three-petaled blue-violet flowers that open each morning. Drought-hardy on sand and rock. Young shoots and leaves are edible raw or cooked as a potherb, and the flowers make an attractive edible garnish.

Family

Commelinaceae

Type

wildflower

Lifespan

perennial

Height

1.5–3 ft

Spacing

1–1.5 ft apart

Light

sun, part shade

Soil moisture

dry

Soil pH

acidic, alkaline

Bloom

June, July

Bloom colors

pink, purple

Wildlife value

pollinators

Landscape uses

border, naturalizing, rain garden

Native states

AR, AZ, CO, IA, KS, LA, MN, MS, MT, ND, NE, NM, OK, SD, TX, UT, WI, WY