Image of Tradescantia ohiensis
Source: Donna Bos
image of Flowering plant
Tradescantia ohiensis
Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantie d'Ohio

Obsolete Names

smooth spiderwort
éphémère d'Ohio
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Blue Bloom period: May - Jul
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 1.5 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolerates dry soil condition
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
does not spread Does not spread uncontrollably
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits: No ecological benefits information available.
Tolerates:
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
acidic soil Tolerant Tolerates acidic soil conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
plant endangered This plant is endangered
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: No

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Tradescantia ohiensis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Tradescantia ohiensis

No butterfly data available for this plant.

Specialized Bees Supported by Tradescantia ohiensis

No bee data available for this plant.

Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Pennisetum setaceum (Fountain Grass)
  • Hemerocallis (Daylily)
  • Baptisia (False Indigo)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow by December
  • Stratification duration: 120 days
  • Self-seeding
  • Notes: Best planted outdoors in fall in cool soil.

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator: Pods are slightly open and seeds inside are dark
  • Harvesting mean: Cut stem (including pods), let air dry in paper bag, then shake seeds off after a few days
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/8 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
  • Remove non seed material
  • No harvesting video available at this time.

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.