Illustration of spiderwort
spiderwort
noun
spi·der·wort
ˈspī-dər-ˌwərt 
-ˌwȯrt
plural spiderworts
: any of a genus (Tradescantia of the family Commelinaceae, the spiderwort family) of American monocotyledonous, usually trailing or creeping plants with narrow leaves and often short-lived white, rose, blue, or violet flowers and that includes some (such as the inch plant) grown as houseplants especially for their ornamental usually striped foliage : tradescantia
Examples of spiderwort in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Virginia spiderwort needs consistently moist soil and additional watering during dry spells.
—
Lauren David,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Jentz recommends cutting spiderwort back after the first flush of flowers—this will encourage it to rebloom in late summer and early fall.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
The current mix of foliage includes spiderwort, baptisia, witch hazel, cranesbill geraniums, and Solomon’s seal, to name a few.
—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 May 2026
Summer sees purple spiderwort and orange butterfly milkweed, abuzz with grasshoppers, bees, and butterflies.
—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Native Americans used most parts of spiderwort for food and medicine.
—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
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Lauren David,
Southern Living,
4 June 2026
Jentz recommends cutting spiderwort back after the first flush of flowers—this will encourage it to rebloom in late summer and early fall.
—
Helena Madden,
Martha Stewart,
30 May 2026
The current mix of foliage includes spiderwort, baptisia, witch hazel, cranesbill geraniums, and Solomon’s seal, to name a few.
—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 May 2026
Summer sees purple spiderwort and orange butterfly milkweed, abuzz with grasshoppers, bees, and butterflies.
—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
20 Apr. 2026
Native Americans used most parts of spiderwort for food and medicine.
—
Sheryl De Vore,
Chicago Tribune,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Spiderwort.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spiderwort. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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