// SPECIES PROFILE · PERENNIAL · NATIVE

Prairie spiderwort

Tradescantia occidentalis var. melanthera

Prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis var. melanthera) is a perennial in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, OK. Hardy in zones 6a–10a. Mature size 6"–3'. Blooms Jun–Jul.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: perennial
Native range: Native to 19 U.S. states, including AR, AZ, CO, IA, KS, LA…
USDA hardiness: Zones 6a–10a
Mature size: 6"–3'
Sun: Part shade
Water: Low · xeric
Bloom: Jun–Jul
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis var. melanthera) — *Tradescantia occidentalis var. melanthera* — Prairie spiderwort. Photo via iNaturalist — (c) Gordon C. Snelling, some rights reserved (CC BY).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Prairie spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis var. melanthera) is a perennial in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, OK. Hardy in zones 6a–10a. Mature size 6"–3'. Blooms Jun–Jul. Low water use makes it a strong candidate for xeric and drought-conscious plantings.

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, prairie spiderwort pairs naturally with: Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina), Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera), Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale).