Tharp’s Spiderwort: A Hidden Gem for Native Plant Enthusiasts
If you’re on the hunt for native plants that fly under the radar, let me introduce you to Tharp’s spiderwort (Tradescantia tharpii). This perennial wildflower might not be as well-known as its spiderwort cousins, but it deserves a spot in your native plant collection—especially if you’re gardening in the south-central United States.
What Makes Tharp’s Spiderwort Special?
Tharp’s spiderwort is a true native of the American heartland, calling Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas home. As a herbaceous perennial, it’s built to last through multiple growing seasons, coming back year after year to grace your garden with its presence.
This plant belongs to the forb family—basically, it’s a flowering plant that stays soft and green rather than developing woody stems. Think of it as nature’s way of creating a low-maintenance, non-woody perennial that knows how to behave itself in the garden.
Why Consider Growing Tharp’s Spiderwort?
Here’s the thing about native plants: they’re like that reliable friend who just gets you. Tharp’s spiderwort has spent centuries adapting to the specific climate and soil conditions of its native range, which means it’s likely to thrive with minimal fuss once established.
As a member of the spiderwort family, this plant probably shares many of the appealing characteristics of its relatives—think delicate three-petaled flowers that open in the morning and charming, grass-like foliage that adds texture to your garden beds.
Where Does It Fit in Your Garden?
Tharp’s spiderwort works beautifully in:
- Native plant gardens where you’re showcasing local flora
- Naturalized areas that mimic wild prairie or woodland edges
- Low-maintenance landscapes where you want beauty without constant care
- Pollinator gardens (spiderworts are generally bee magnets)
Growing Tharp’s Spiderwort Successfully
While specific growing information for Tradescantia tharpii is limited, we can draw from the general preferences of spiderwort family members and its native habitat. Here’s what will likely make your Tharp’s spiderwort happy:
Location and Soil
Choose a spot with well-draining soil—soggy feet aren’t this plant’s favorite thing. A location that receives morning sun with some afternoon shade often works well for spiderworts, though many can handle full sun if given adequate moisture.
Hardiness
Based on its native range spanning from Kansas down to Texas, Tharp’s spiderwort likely thrives in USDA zones 5 through 9, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates.
Maintenance
The beauty of native plants is their low-maintenance nature. Once established, Tharp’s spiderwort should require minimal care. Like many perennials, it may benefit from cutting back old foliage in late fall or early spring.
A Word of Caution: The Rare Plant Reality
Here’s where things get interesting—and a bit challenging. Tharp’s spiderwort isn’t exactly common in the nursery trade, which could indicate it’s either rare in the wild or simply overlooked by commercial growers. If you’re lucky enough to find it available, make sure you’re purchasing from a reputable source that ethically propagates their plants rather than wild-collecting them.
The Bottom Line
Tharp’s spiderwort represents the kind of plant that makes native gardening exciting—it’s a piece of your local ecosystem that you can nurture in your own backyard. While we may not have all the growing details figured out yet (isn’t that part of the adventure?), its native status and perennial nature make it worth seeking out for gardeners in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
If you can’t track down Tharp’s spiderwort, don’t despair. Other native spiderwort species like Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio spiderwort) or Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia spiderwort) offer similar benefits and are more readily available. Sometimes the journey to find the perfect native plant teaches us as much as growing it does!
