prairie wildflower
Longbract Spiderwort
Tradescantia bracteata
Also known as Bracted Spiderwort, Long-bract Spiderwort
1 of 3Native to the Great Plains, the Midwest, and the Rockies
Wisconsin to southeastern Montana, south to Arkansas and Oklahoma
- Light Partial shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 4–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jun–Jul Flowering time
- Height up to 18 in to 46 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie wildflower for partial shade and evenly moist soil. At up to 18 in, it suits meadows and sunny borders. Hardy in USDA zones 4–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Common Eastern Bumble Bee
also Western Honey Bee, Brown-belted Bumble Bee, Two-spotted Bumble Bee +2 more
Ligated Furrow Bee, Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee - Flower flies Margined Calligrapher also The Merodon equestris Group, Eurimyia stipatus
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Great Plains, the Midwest, and the RockiesUnited States (13): AR, IA, IL, KS, MN, MO, MT, ND, NE, OK, SD, WI, WY. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Wisconsin to southeastern Montana, south to Arkansas and OklahomaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Partial shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 4–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Moist to dry soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 18 in (to 46 cm)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jun–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.