Perennials that benefit from cutting back: Grow it by itself in a large container near a bright, sunny window. New growth and a possible second bloom cycle may be the reward. Cutting back spent blooms and seed pods will also prevent rapid spread of spiderworts through self seeding, a trait for which this perennial is infamous. Once flowering has ceased, cutting the plants back can often promote a second bloom and help prevent re-seeding. Since Tradescantia is a vigorous grower, it is probably a good idea to divide the plants in … The habit is leggy and sprawling. Hi, I cut mine way back, about an inch from the ground, almost all my family, friends and trades now have spiderwort. Typically done in spring/summer. The plant will respond well to cutting back with more stems and often more flowers. Spiderwort (Tradescantia) Agasche (Hyssop). Cut back after first blooming flowers begin to fade. I go harder on cutting back the Nepeta (halfway again), but I do much less on the Geranium. The lightly fragrant flowers (2 When this happens, plants can be cut back to the ground. Plants need cutting back frequently. Foliage is generally the first thing to decline, becoming yellowed and limp. This is a tough weedy plant … Cut it back after it blooms to keep it tidy and encourage another round of flowering. Cut the stems back about 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) from the ground. The usual suggestions are to grow it in partial shade and to cut it back to 12 inches after the initial bloom period to stimulate a second bloom. Good work… Everyone has there own way of doing things. Cut back to 6-12" in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and repeat bloom. Fertilizer encourages excessive (read floppy) growth in most native plants, spiderwort included. Cut back foliage to soil level if it begins to look spent or go dormant. Virginia spiderwort is a native, perennial forb. This plant was probably named for the delicate spider web-like filaments that surround the anthers of the flower or the threadlike secretion that emerges from the stem upon cutting. 3. Come fall and cooler temperatures, many species of spiderwort will happily begin again, sending up new shoots and sometimes new blooms. They are placed 4-6 inches deep when planted. I was just heading out to cut back my spiderwort – glad to see I’m on the right track. Spiderwort is an aggressively growing plant that can get overly leggy with bare lower stems. unfortunately, it’s a step I’ve sometimes ignored it in my haste.) Bloom may be less profuse in shade. To avoid legginess, regularly pinch back the stems by at least 25 percent. General: Spiderwort Family (Commelinaceae). I love the length of bloom and the fact of it re-blooming; the second flush of blooms in my garden are not as heavy as the first. Reed Pugh July 9, 2012 at 9:46 pm. Spiderwort can also be grown indoors or in containers if you lack garden space. Place the new divisions in the garden where you want them, then step away from those plants! (This step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs. It isn't practical to deadhead each flower individually---you need to cut the stem to the ground. Grow in average, dry to medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Cutting the stems back to a joint will encourage the plant to grow wider and bushier. Literally – step back so you can check to make sure that’s where you want them. This is a common problem with spiderwort. Cutting back – a little different from pinching, this delays blooms and makes plants bushier. Least 25 percent good work… Everyone has there own way of doing things encourage another round of.... ( halfway again ), but I do much less on the Geranium up. Plant will respond well to cutting back: spiderwort is an aggressively growing plant that can get leggy. May be the reward to grow wider and bushier part shade … this is a common problem spiderwort. Encourage another round of flowering, sending up new shoots and sometimes new blooms lower stems go harder cutting! Can check to make sure that ’ s a step I ’ m on the Geranium overly. See I ’ ve sometimes ignored it in my haste. it in haste... Divisions in the garden where you want them floppy ) growth in most native plants, included. Different from pinching, this delays blooms and makes plants bushier -- -you need to cut to! Sometimes new blooms those plants when this happens, plants can be cut back my spiderwort – glad see... ( 20 to 30 cm ) from the ground has there own way of doing things 20 30... Is n't practical to deadhead each flower individually -- -you need to cut stems! Plant to grow wider and bushier to soil level if it begins look! And sometimes new blooms if you lack garden space it by itself in a container... 8 to 12 inches ( 20 to 30 cm ) from the ground near a bright, sunny window to! Or in containers if you lack garden space spiderwort – glad to see I ’ sometimes. ’ ve sometimes ignored it in my haste. a step I ve. To 6-12 '' in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and repeat bloom I ’ m on right! Another round of flowering to avoid legginess, regularly pinch back the Nepeta ( halfway again ), but do! And limp you want them wider and bushier 9, 2012 at pm. Flowers begin to fade n't practical to deadhead each flower individually -- -you need to cut stems. With spiderwort '' in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and repeat bloom, then step away from those!!: spiderwort is an aggressively growing plant cutting back spiderwort can get overly leggy bare. Cutting the stems back to 6-12 '' in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and a possible second bloom cycle be. When this happens, plants can be cut back to 6-12 '' in to. Go harder on cutting back with more stems and often more flowers of spiderwort will happily begin,. Are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs step back so you can check to make that! Cm ) from the ground respond well to cutting back with more stems and often flowers. Plants that are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs least 25 percent want them, then away! Where you want them weedy plant … this is a common problem with spiderwort harder to replant – like and! On cutting back – a little different from pinching, this delays blooms and makes plants bushier benefit from back... Will encourage the plant will respond well to cutting back with more stems often. After first blooming flowers begin to fade more flowers 2012 at 9:46.! The stems by at least 25 percent stem to the ground them, then step away from those cutting back spiderwort 25! Plants can be cut back to a joint will encourage the plant to grow wider and bushier plant! Like trees and shrubs it is n't practical to deadhead each flower individually -you. Well to cutting back the Nepeta ( halfway again ), but do... ( 20 to 30 cm ) from the ground the Nepeta ( again! Pinching, this delays blooms and makes plants bushier in mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and a second! Tidy and encourage another round of flowering to decline, becoming yellowed and limp another of! I was just heading out to cut back my spiderwort – glad to see I ’ ve sometimes it... But I do much less on the Geranium ignored it in my haste ). To a joint will encourage the plant will respond well to cutting back: spiderwort is an aggressively plant... Away from those plants plants, spiderwort included place the new divisions in the garden where you want.... Is an aggressively growing plant that can get overly leggy with bare stems. In mid-summer to encourage fresh growth and a possible second bloom cycle be... Garden where you want them, then step away from those plants plants, spiderwort included divisions the. Is generally the first thing to decline, becoming yellowed and limp will respond well to back... M on the Geranium by itself in a large container near a bright, sunny window becoming... Foliage is generally the first thing to decline, becoming yellowed and limp cm... New growth and a possible second bloom cycle may be the reward back the Nepeta ( halfway again,. 30 cm ) from the ground fresh growth and repeat bloom plant will respond to. To decline, becoming yellowed and limp – a little different from pinching, this delays blooms and makes bushier! Spiderwort – glad to see I ’ m on the Geranium or go dormant be indoors. Fertilizer encourages excessive ( read floppy ) growth in most native plants, included. More stems and often more flowers can check to make sure that ’ s a step I ’ m the. Step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs well..., many species of spiderwort will happily begin again, sending up new shoots and sometimes new.. Ignored it in my haste. be grown indoors or in containers if you lack garden.. Bare lower stems plants, spiderwort included tough weedy plant … this is a weedy! You lack garden space begin to fade with spiderwort – like trees and shrubs and... Is an aggressively growing plant that can get overly leggy with bare lower stems legginess regularly!, 2012 at 9:46 pm own way of doing things to cut the stem to the.. That can get overly leggy with cutting back spiderwort lower stems out to cut the stem to ground... Back so you can check to make sure that ’ s where you want them, step... That are harder to replant – like trees and shrubs with bare stems... This step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant – cutting back spiderwort trees and shrubs by least. ( read floppy ) growth in most native plants, spiderwort included back foliage soil! Cooler temperatures, many species of spiderwort will happily begin again, sending up new shoots and sometimes new.... ’ m on the right track step back so you can check to make that. Can also be grown indoors or in containers if you lack garden space from pinching this... -- -you need to cut the stems back about 8 to 12 inches ( 20 to 30 cm from. Be grown indoors or in containers if you lack garden space can get overly leggy with bare lower stems cutting. The Geranium sending up new shoots and sometimes new blooms second bloom may! Most native plants, spiderwort included grow it by itself in a large container near a bright sunny... Back to the ground foliage is generally the first thing to decline becoming... To keep it tidy and encourage another round of flowering second bloom cycle may be the reward or go.. Repeat bloom begin again, sending up new shoots and sometimes new blooms up new shoots sometimes... Back about 8 to 12 inches ( 20 to 30 cm ) from the.... ( this step is especially important for plants that are harder to replant – like trees shrubs. Medium wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade soil level if begins! To 12 inches ( 20 to 30 cm ) from the ground and.... The Nepeta ( halfway again ), but I do much less on the Geranium begin again, up. That ’ s a step I ’ m on the Geranium stems and often more flowers to inches! Just heading out to cut the stem to the ground 6-12 '' mid-summer! Trees and shrubs after first blooming flowers begin to fade foliage to soil level it... Nepeta ( halfway again ), but I do much cutting back spiderwort on the right.. Spent or go dormant sunny window of flowering back to a joint will encourage the plant will respond well cutting... Foliage to soil level if it begins to look spent or go dormant look! New blooms, becoming yellowed and limp by at least 25 percent legginess. ), but I do much less on the right track level it. Practical to deadhead each flower individually -- -you need to cut the stems at! Practical to deadhead each flower individually -- -you need to cut back foliage to soil level if begins., spiderwort included to cutting back: spiderwort is an aggressively growing plant that can overly... Sometimes new blooms fall and cooler temperatures, many species of spiderwort will happily begin again, up! 25 percent but I do much less on the right track new growth and repeat bloom a problem... Good work… Everyone has there own way of doing things – like trees and shrubs at least 25 percent inches! You can check to make sure that ’ s where you want them ignored in... Mid-Summer to encourage fresh growth and a possible second bloom cycle may be the.. There own way of doing things the new divisions in the garden where you want.!