Spiderwort plants are popular additions to many gardens due to their vibrant foliage and delicate, three-petaled flowers. These resilient perennials exhibit a vigorous growth habit, often forming attractive clumps that can spread in various garden settings. Their rapid growth means that regular cutting back is an important part of their care, ensuring they remain healthy and visually appealing throughout the growing season.
Why Cut Back Spiderwort
Cutting back spiderwort benefits their growth and appearance. This practice promotes a bushier, more compact habit, preventing leggy or straggly growth. Removing spent flower stalks and older stems redirects the plant’s energy into new shoots, leading to a denser foliage display.
Pruning also encourages a second flush of blooms, extending the flowering period. Additionally, cutting back helps prevent excessive self-seeding, especially for vigorous varieties. Removing faded or damaged growth improves air circulation, contributing to overall plant health and reducing fungal issues.
When to Cut Back Spiderwort
The optimal time to cut back spiderwort depends on your goals, from encouraging rebloom to preparing for dormancy.
Early Summer
The first significant cut is ideal immediately after the initial flush of blooms, typically in early summer. Removing spent flower stalks encourages new flower buds. This early summer cut can involve trimming the entire plant by about one-third to one-half of its height.
Mid-to-Late Summer
In mid-to-late summer, spiderwort plants can become leggy or unkempt from rapid growth. A second, more aggressive cut can rejuvenate the plant, promoting bushier foliage and another round of blooms before the end of the growing season. This mid-season trim helps maintain the plant’s shape and vigor.
Late Fall and Early Spring
In late fall or early winter, once foliage yellows and dies back, a final cut prepares the plant for dormancy. Cut the entire plant down to 2-3 inches from the ground. This tidies the garden and reduces overwintering pest sites. In early spring, before new growth emerges, remove any remaining dead or damaged foliage. This cleanup promotes healthy new growth and provides a fresh start.
How to Cut Back Spiderwort
Cutting back spiderwort requires correct tools and precise cuts for plant health. Sharp, clean bypass pruners or sturdy scissors are suitable tools, creating clean cuts that heal quickly and minimize plant stress. Sanitize tools with rubbing alcohol or a bleach solution to prevent disease spread.
For general maintenance and deadheading, make cuts just above a leaf node or a new side shoot. This encourages branching and fuller growth. For aggressive cutbacks, like in mid-summer or late fall, trim the entire plant by one-third to one-half, or even to a few inches from the ground. Always cut stems cleanly, avoiding ragged tears that can invite disease or pest issues.
Caring for Spiderwort After Cutting
After cutting back spiderwort, proper care helps the plant recover quickly and encourages new growth. Immediately after pruning, ensure adequate moisture, as new growth requires hydration. While spiderwort tolerates some dry periods, consistent watering is important to support the regeneration of foliage and flowers.
Consider applying a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer at half strength a week or two after a substantial cutback, especially to encourage a second flush of blooms. This provides nutrients for new development. Monitor the plant for pests or fungal diseases, as fresh cuts can make plants temporarily vulnerable. Applying a thin layer of organic mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature, further supporting recovery.