Texas Spiderwort
Tradescantia humilis
Last reviewed: October 2026
Texas spiderwort is a low-growing forb that blooms from March through May, producing purple flowers that attract bees and other nectar-seeking insects.
Toxicity unknown
Texas Spiderwort (Tradescantia humilis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
part sun
Water
medium
Size
12"–24" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
TX
Pollinators
bees, nectar insects
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaPicture natives in your own yard
Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Texas Spiderwort.
Browse plants for this ecoregion
Texas Spiderwort produces clusters of three-petaled purple or blue flowers on slender stems above grass-like foliage. This native wildflower blooms from March through May and goes dormant in summer heat, returning each spring from underground roots.
Growing Texas Spiderwort
Grow Texas Spiderwort in part sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 12 to 24 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Texas Spiderwort is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 2 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The flowers attract native bees and other nectar-feeding insects during the spring blooming period. Bees particularly value this early-season nectar source when few other flowers are available.
Common questions
- When does Texas spiderwort bloom?
- Texas spiderwort typically flowers from March through May, with each bloom opening in the morning and closing by afternoon.
- What pollinators visit Texas spiderwort?
- Bees and other nectar-feeding insects visit the flowers of Texas spiderwort for pollen and nectar.
- How much sun does Texas spiderwort need?
- It grows best with part sun, and it can also handle full sun to part shade depending on soil moisture and heat exposure.
- How much water does Texas spiderwort need?
- This plant does well with medium moisture but can tolerate drier conditions once established, especially in sandy or well-drained soils.
- Is Texas Spiderwort HOA-friendly?
- Texas Spiderwort is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Texas Spiderwort? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.