What is spiderwort good for?
The plant was mashed and rubbed onto insect bites to relieve pain and itching. A paste, made from the mashed roots, was used as a poultice to treat cancer. A tea made from the plant was used as a laxative and to treat stomachaches associated with overeating. Virginia spiderwort, Tradescantia virginiana, is a hardy native wildflower to some and a hard-to-control weed to others. All plant parts are edible but the most used parts are the leaves and flowers. Leaves can be used in salads, in soups or for teas while flowers can be candied or used in salads.Initially, place the plant in full shade and gradually increase the plant’s exposure to sunlight. Spider plants can handle 3 to 4 hours of sunlight when acclimated. Water the plant when the top few inches of potting soil are dry.The First Peoples used Virginia spiderwort as food and medicine. The young leaves are edible. Mashed roots were made into a paste to use on itchy insect bites. A tea made from the roots was also used as a laxative and to treat stomachaches.Spiderwort as an Indoor Plant You should also pinch out the growing tips to encourage bushier growth. Allow it to spend warm spring and summer days outdoors, if feasible. During its active growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every four weeks. Water sparingly in winter.Spiderwort is a perennial wildflower that spreads easily by reseeding, and thrives in both sun and shade. However, the plant blooms less prolifically in shade.
Can spiderwort be an indoor plant?
Tradescantia, or spiderwort, is a beautiful and easy to care for houseplant. It’s known for its bright foliage and colourful blooms. Tradescantia are a great choice for anyone looking for a low-maintenance plant that will add a pop of colour to their home. Native to both tropical and temperate climates, some spiderwort plants are regarded as noxious weeds; some are prized as garden plants; and some, like Tradescantia zebrina, are grown primarily as indoor houseplants for their bold patterns and dazzling foliage.Spider Plant A common carcinogen, formaldehyde, which is found in many household products, is removed by spider plants making it a perfect bedroom plant. Spider plants will also emit a lot of oxygen, helping you breathe more naturally in the evening while you sleep.Spiderworts typically grow in moist, well-drained, and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil, though I have found the plants to be quite forgiving in the garden and tolerant of many soil conditions. Spiderwort plants do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist.Spiderwort spreads by sending roots outward and having plants grow up from there—these are called stolons. This is how strawberries spread, too. Plant a few Ohio or Virginia Spiderworts and watch them slowly spread in your garden over the years.That being said, spiderwort is commonly found in disturbed areas such as along railroad tracks, and in moist meadows, prairies, and thickets. In areas where the plant is happily situated, it can become quite aggressive and self-sow readily.
Is spiderwort poisonous?
The Virginia spiderwort is reportedly both edible and poisonous. Most species of Tradescantia are mildly toxic to humans and pets, if ingested. They also tend to cause skin irritation upon contact. Exercise caution before eating any part of a wild plant and wear protective glove when handling this plant. While not toxic, the Spider Plant can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested in large quantities. However, it’s generally safe and often a pet’s favorite toy to bat at due to its long, arching leaves.Spider plants are not poisonous, so your loved ones and pets are safe if they consume any part of it. Although consuming the plant will not harm your child or pet, over-eating may cause an upset stomach, and this plant is not considered a food source.Touching the plant is safe because there are no sharp or pointy surfaces, and the plant does not produce harmful sap. It is best to teach young children to leave houseplants alone, but they will be safe if they touch or eat a spider plant.Nearly every part of spiderwort has been used for food or medicine. The root was once mashed and turned into a paste to treat wounds. The seeds, though bitter, were roasted and eaten. The flowers were powdered and used as a snuff to treat nosebleeds, and they can still serve as an edible garnish on a salad.Toxicity: The plant is posed as non-toxic, but it can potentially be harmful to cats and if eaten can lead to an upset stomach and vomiting. Pests: Spider plants are tough when it comes to pests, but they are susceptible to some pest infestations.
Where does spiderwort grow best?
Spiderwort grows best in shade and moist soil but will do well in sun if the soil is moist enough. It also likes acidic soil (pH 5 to 6). It is possible to amend your soil for pH, but it can be difficult. Improper Watering (Too Much or Too Little) Both overwatering and underwatering can cause brown tips in spider plants. Dry soil deprives the plant of moisture, while soggy soil can lead to root rot, preventing proper water absorption.Spiderworts thrive in dappled sunlight but can also do well in full sun if the soil is kept moist. Ensure the soil is well-draining but retains some moisture.It is possible for them to suffer from fungal leaf rot and fungal root rot. Root rot can usually be traced to too much watering and/or soil that doesn’t drain freely enough. In fact, most spider plant problems can be traced to environmental issues rather than disease.Some are purple, pink, or even white. Some will change color according to soil pH, like a hydrangea. There are spiderworts which take full sun to part shade and others which grow in part to full shade. All will multiply freely.
Can I eat spiderwort?
Common Spiderwort petals are edible and can be tossed into a salad. Many folk remedies include cooking the leaves in soups, and using the roots in teas. Spiderwort grows fast and spreads quickly, so make sure to maintain it in your garden. This plant has three blue-purple petals and dark green, grass- looking leaves and blooms from spring to early summer. Spiderwort can grow in almost any soil type and prefers sunny spots; making it easy to plant almost anywhere!Best of all, cutting stems back at the end of the spring blooming season will help to promote a second blooming during the fall. Spiderwort is adorned with beautiful showy flowers that are usually purple. Still, there are some blue and pink varieties as well.Spiderwort is pretty hardy, easy to transplant! With our current dry conditions, I recommend WATERING deeply: * a day or two before digging them up * a day or two before the move, in the new location as preparation * Just after planting.Its unusual blue-green soft foliage and tendency to bloom in the morning sun and close from mid-day heat make this an attractive addition wherever it is found. A stand of Spiderworts can be in bloom from May through July due to this afternoon closing habit.Spiderwort is a clump-forming, upright perennial that’s native to Florida. It blooms in spring with one-inch flowers that have three petals and come in either white, pink, blue, or violet. Each flower lasts less than a day, but the plants put out new flowers for six to eight weeks.
What is the magic of spiderwort?
Spiderwort, whose leaves resemble a spider’s legs, is first a balm to help heal the emotional scarring and pain after attack. It then works to seal the wounds in the etheric body. The name refers to what happens when you cut into the plant. According to the Missouri Botanical Garden, when spiderwort is cut, a “viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening (like a spider’s web). Regardless of its somewhat sinister name, please consider it for your garden!Dividing spider plants The best time for dividing or splitting spider plants is when they need repotting. This type of propagation does require a bit more tact than the others, as the fleshy roots are fragile and can break off easily. For this reason, large plants are better for this method.The Spiderwort grows two to three feet tall and a foot wide. Since it is a clumping plant, it is easily moved into gardens by digging up a group, dividing it into a smaller group, and then re-planting. Once flowering is finished for the spring, the stems will need to be cut back.