Sweet Kate Spiderwort

Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'

Nature Hills Nursery

Golden Foliage Spiderwort Flower Plant Blooms Purple-Blue All Season Long
Thrives in Zones 5-8
Grows 1 ft Tall, 2-3 ft Wide
Native, Pollinator-Friendly - Attracts Bees and Butterflies
Perfect for Mass Planting in Cottage Gardens

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least six hours of direct sun to keep the chartreuse foliage vibrant. In hotter southern zones, afternoon shade is helpful to prevent the leaves from bleaching or scorching in the intense heat.
Soil: This perennial prefers rich, organic soil that retains moisture well. If you have sandy soil that drains too quickly, mix in compost or peat moss to help hold water near the roots.

Watering Requirements

During the first growing season, water twice a week to ensure the root system establishes deeply. Mature plants prefer consistently moist ground and will show stress by developing brown leaf tips if the soil stays dry for too long. Maintaining even moisture is the key to keeping the golden leaves looking fresh rather than crispy during the heat of July.

Pruning Tips

Sweet Kate blooms on new growth, so you should cut the entire plant down to about three inches above the ground once the first round of flowering finishes in midsummer. Think of this like a mid-season haircut that removes the older, leggy stems and encourages a flush of tidy new foliage. This practice often triggers a second bloom cycle in the fall and keeps the plant from looking messy in your landscape.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer once in early spring as the new green shoots emerge from the soil. Avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers late in the summer because this can result in weak, spindly stems that flop over. Excess nitrogen encourages rapid leaf growth at the expense of the sturdy structure needed to hold up those violet-blue flowers.

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Unlike the Elizabethan love song, this Sweet Kate will not run away and leave you plaining! The Sweet Kate Spiderwort (Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate') is a brightly colored and reliable perennial plant! This brilliant gold leaf form of Tradescantia. This new import from the UK is taking the gardening world by storm!

The brilliant golden long, arching grass-like foliage of Spiderworts looks very similar to a Daylily's. The clustered mounds quickly become highlighted with a procession of deep purple-blue flowers from late spring until fall! Sweet Kate flowers open broad and flat in the heat of the day, then wither and curl under to be replaced the next morning by a new batch of blooms! The three-petalled flowers are quickly replaced with new blooms and attract bees and butterflies!

When the stems of Spiderworts are cut, a viscous stem secretion is released which becomes threadlike and silky upon hardening, like a spider's web! That is how it got its name! Hardy perennials throughout USDA planting zones 5 to 8, these smaller plants grow just 12 inches tall but can mature 3 feet wide!

Planting and Application:

The clump-forming 'spidery' foliage is perfect as border plants along pathways and driveways, their fine-textured foliage sweeping the ground elegantly. Use as landscape bed edging and vibrant additions to Perennial and Cottage gardens!

Show off these brilliant plants for their bright foliage color by planting in rows or groupings to maximize their color! But you don't need to plant them in large drifts to enjoy their bright foliage. Spiderwort looks just as pretty as the thriller, spiller, and filler in container gardens and feature plantings alike!

Tolerating occasional wet soil, that tricky spot by the gutters or a Rain Garden are both fitting locations for these moisture-loving perennials! Brighten the shade and fill those high-moisture garden beds without worrying, Tradescantia are resilient and virtually indestructible, deer-resistant, adaptable, and long-blooming!

Deep Purple Blue Three-Petalled Flowers
Long Grassy Slender Bright Green-Gold Foliage
Flowers Last One Day - Quickly Replaced With New Spring til Fall
Pollinator-Friendly Brilliant Perennials
Fine-Textured Edging, Specimens, Container Plants & Rain Gardens

#ProPlantTips for Care:

The golden foliage is brightest in full sun, but they tolerate partial shade as well. Any well-drained soil that is enriched and mulched to keep the roots cool is ideal for these cheerful herbaceous perennials! In drier settings provide regular moisture access and a 3-4 inch deep layer of mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.

If flowering slows, 'behead' Sweet Kate, and it will start to regrow and flower all over again! In the early spring, clean away the dead foliage from the year before. Being a vigorous grower, each plant becomes a true masterpiece!

Partial Shade & Full Sun In Cooler Climates
Well-Drained Rich Soil
Moderate to Higher Moisture Needs
Deadhead For Rebloom & Prune Early Spring
Deer Resistant Perennials

Order the brilliant gold and deep blue power combo of this lovely and lasting perennial! Sweet Kate Spiderwort will not leave your heart's affections wanting. Order now at NatureHills.com and begin enjoying these pretty perennials today!

Botanical Name

Tradescantia 'Sweet Kate'
Class

Lamiales, Asparagales
Species

hybrid
Cultivar

Sweet Kate
Growing Zones

5-8
Height

1 ft
Width

2-3 ft
Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color

Blue, Purple
Leaf Color

Yellow, Green
Native

Yes
Bloom Period

Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT, PR

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

What USDA hardiness zones is Sweet Kate Spiderwort suitable for?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 8. This reliable perennial handles cold winters well and performs consistently across this range. Plant it in spring after your last frost date for best establishment.

How tall and wide does Sweet Kate Spiderwort grow at maturity?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort stays compact at just 12 inches tall but spreads to form impressive 3-foot-wide clumps. This makes it perfect for edging borders or filling wide spaces in zones 5-8. Plan adequate spacing when planting, available at naturehills.com.

Does Sweet Kate Spiderwort prefer full sun, partial shade, or full shade?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort thrives in partial shade to full shade conditions. This moisture-loving perennial is specifically noted for "brightening the shade" in garden beds. Plant it in areas that receive dappled sunlight or morning sun with afternoon shade for best results.

What type of soil does Sweet Kate Spiderwort need to thrive?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort thrives in moist, well-draining soil and tolerates occasional wet conditions. This adaptable perennial handles that tricky spot by gutters or rain gardens where other plants struggle. Plant it in areas with consistent moisture for best results.

How often should I water Sweet Kate Spiderwort after planting?

Water Sweet Kate Spiderwort deeply twice weekly for the first month after planting. This moisture-loving perennial tolerates wet soil well, so don't worry about occasional overwatering. Once established, reduce to weekly watering unless rainfall is adequate.

Is Sweet Kate Spiderwort considered a fast-growing or slow-growing perennial?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort is a moderately fast-growing perennial that forms clustered mounds quickly and can mature to 3 feet wide while staying just 12 inches tall. It blooms continuously from late spring through fall in zones 5-8. Plant in groupings for maximum impact, as individual clumps establish and spread reliably each season.

Is Sweet Kate Spiderwort deer resistant?

Yes, Sweet Kate Spiderwort is deer resistant. This hardy perennial's resilient nature makes it an excellent choice for gardens where deer browsing is a concern. Plant it confidently in zones 5-8 as border edging or in groupings without worrying about deer damage.

What are the best companion plants to grow with Sweet Kate Spiderwort?

Sweet Kate pairs beautifully with Hostas, Heuchera, and ferns in shade gardens where its golden foliage creates striking contrast. Since it spreads 3 feet wide and blooms spring through fall in zones 5-8, plant it with taller perennials like Astilbe or Japanese Painted Fern as backdrop plants.

Does Sweet Kate Spiderwort require any special fertilizing or feeding?

Sweet Kate Spiderwort is virtually maintenance-free and doesn't require special fertilizing. These resilient perennials thrive in zones 5-8 without heavy feeding. A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring will support their continuous blooming from late spring through fall.

Should Sweet Kate Spiderwort be cut back in fall or left standing for winter?

Cut Sweet Kate Spiderwort back to 2-3 inches in late fall after the first hard frost in zones 5-8. The golden foliage will naturally die back, and cutting it down prevents winter mess while allowing the hardy crown to overwinter safely. Leave a short stub to mark the plant's location for spring emergence.