Spiderwort: Flower or Invasive Pest

[@maryk1668]

Such a pretty flower. A wolf in sheep’s clothing! Working for years to get rid of it. Digging out, roundup after a fresh cut and pulling out when ground is wet. After 6 years it’s almost gone. Plant is so ugly after it blooms. I have seen it at nurseries and restrain myself from warning patrons that are buying it! Spreads like crazy in between my other flowers and plants.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Agreed!

[@DIYwithKristi]

I thought they were invasive weeds too, but I did some thorough research on the Ohio Spiderwort, and it turns out they're edible 'n have loads of medicinal value. I couldn't help appreciating such beauty. They may be pricey, but God gifted me a whole garden full of them. They come in handy for salads, grilling as well as having a natural gel-like substance to treat wounds.

[@efahrenholz]

I have to pull out close to 100 pounds of these things EVERY year. They grow everywhere, super invasive. I HATE them.

[@phaedrabacker2004]

I think they're beautiful. Let nature be. 😊

[@slayqueen5996]

You should do voiceovers. You have an amazing voice. Thanks for the video. I live in Florida and am looking for anything that will grow. Think I’ll pass on these 🤣

[@jt659]

For me it's free food. They are everywhere in Louisiana

[@ruinsane100]

Spiderwort is edible and medicinal. You can eat the leaves and flowers in a salad and pan fry the stalks like asparagus. It's also medicinal.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Suddenly a lot of people are telling me that. Hmph! I may have to try it now. Thanks!

[@williammay2332]

I have some on both sides of the bottom of steps. I also delayed cutting the back yard because bees are swarming all over these in the morning. Some bee keeper nearby is befitting from the pollen. He should be eating the dandelions also. Reward yourself by making dandelion wine.

[@Aroforceyeah]

I tried some yesterday it tasted like strawberry, cooking it makes it taste really good.

[@staceygianoplos6381]

Spiderwort is a very important native plant. It is critical for our native bees, while foreign plants from other countries do nothing for our ecology.

[@sislertx]

Hint..i learned a decade ago when i could dig to put a tarp down...any tiny root laying in top of the ground ...even all shriveled and dead looking will sprout.

[@HomesteadDIY]

That's a very good hint! Thanks!

[@CoralVictoriaful]

We have a 1/4 acre and of yard and have had spiderworts for years. I have no idea how to get rid of them. The issue is our dogs are having skin allergies from it. I don’t garden, I just want the spiderwort gone because our poor dogs paws and stomachs get so irritated and sore.

[@dustyflats3832]

Ugh! Spiderwort! That and those hideous plaintan hostas with purple flower. I’m battling both from former owner and a sedum called steppables! They all spread by the tiniest of root!! I have to dig SW today- I’ve had it! They look like quack grass. None of the ones I’m dealing with should be sold! They were choking out my Rugosa.

[@jeansandhoodiegardengal2975]

🍺🤷🏼‍♀️ beer in hand and watching your video…..after I purchased a sh*t ton of the “sweet Kate” variety ……now I’m like “well for fu*k sake where the hell am I gonna put them now!” Bawrahahhahaha BUT This plant, Sweet Kate is not invasive and stays in a nice mound. Bright chartreuse foliage turns darker green over winter. New subscriber!! Your wife’s rose looks fabulous

[@HomesteadDIY]

Lol! Is there really any better way to be watching videos? Good luck with your Sweet Kate!

[@jeansandhoodiegardengal2975]

I’m still nervous about planting it for the first time and not knowing how it will actually grow in my garden…..not just what the tag says etc. …last thing I want is something that’s like lily of the valley!!!!! 🍺🍻👩‍🌾🌷🌼 And there’s definitely no better way to watch videos! Let me know if you find anything about that sweet Kate 😜

[@AvaT42]

Do those spiderworts grow in pots?

[@calabashqueen]

Probably would be beautiful in a 1/2 wine barrel pot. Its pretty bushy.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Agree with Maine Island Girl. I don't see any reason they couldn't grow, but as I've noted, the roots can grow quite substantially so they would likely need a good sized container. Good luck if you try it.

[@savvyvenus]

Yes, they can be houseplants too

[@efahrenholz]

These damn things will grow in the vacuum of space. Even if you cut them back, they pull nutrients from the ether and just keep growing back.

[@JaniceCrowell]

I wouldn’t be getting rid of edible and medicinal plants that are kind enough to plant themselves.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Every plant you don't want is a weed, even good ones. And spiderwort for me is highly invasive, despite its benefits.

[@erincrone8036]

​@@HomesteadDIY Invasive species ecologist here, just wanting to interject that the word "invasive" has a very specific definition. I'd encourage you to say something along the lines of fast-spreading, or personally undesired instead. For example, spiderwort can't be compared to something like wintercreeper or garlic mustard . Those plants are invasive in North America, meaning they both spread rapidly and are harmful to the ecological community. The problem with using "invasive" to mean undesirable is that it gives the idea that whether something is invasive depends on your personal perception. For instance, whether they like it or not, no one should plant invasive wintercreeper as a ground cover because it is very damaging to native plant communities and very easily escapes planted areas. Something like spiderwort, which is native in the, US, has ecological value, and won't damage native ecosystems here should not be called invasive.

[@HomesteadDIY]

@@erincrone8036 Thank you? :)

[@HomesteadDIY]

@@erincrone8036 I hear ya! But not being a scientist, I fall back to the vernacular and what most people would understand. I don't think the nuances of "invasive" vs. "fast spreading" would be picked up by most. They'd just know both soon become an unwanted menace. As the saying goes, any plant you don't want is essentially a weed, though obviously there are technical differences between the two

[@mikej5079]

Soak the soil surrounding the plant beforehand and you'll have a much easier time pulling these up. Not to mention, you'll be more likely to remove all the roots.

[@chickadeeacres3864]

I laughed at this because, I learned this when moving my spiderwort to a "better" area where they never came up the following year. Meanwhile rhizomes left behind in my flower bed were popping up all around! Now I hear they’re edible? 😂😂😂

[@blueskies6475]

Does the rose bush have pink blooms and no thorns?? I have a cutting and trying to figure out where to place it cause I know it can get massive.

[@HomesteadDIY]

Pink blooms yes, and thorns yes. Annoying af and very difficult to get rid of because it spreads underground by its roots

[@blueskies6475]

@@HomesteadDIY Is this the Peggy rose bush?

[@HomesteadDIY]

@@blueskies6475 Not sure. It was already growing on the property when I bought it and my wife liked it and saved a wisp of it when I was clearing the area. She replanted it in its existing spot and it has really taken hold, almost to the point it is invasive. If any of the brambles touch the ground or get covered by leaf litter they root and start a new plant. Keeping it contained has been...fun.

[@calabashqueen]

I just saw a great video about how it's edible. Gamechanger lol.

[@HomesteadDIY]

A few people have told me that recently too. I dunno, but they're sprouting up all over my neighbor's yard. Maybe I'll test it out

[@letsdothis3332]

Is they are all over my backyard. I mean they're pretty but ugly at the same time

[@HomesteadDIY]

Agreed!

[@tavi265]

ayo I have small leaf spiderwort the roots for it look like balls with legs that grow next to my giant rose bush that grows to 6ft

[@mynjgarden]

This is great! Thanks for posting this! I have a good idea where I want to put them now. I definitely want them as flowers and food in my yard. Have you noticed if pollinators are very attracted to them?

[@HomesteadDIY]

I don't recall seeing many bees or other pollinators around them all that much, though I imagine they do attract them. Their location is pretty much out of the way of my normal travels in the garden so I don't pay them much mind until they start taking over a spot, so my observations on that aspect probably aren't worth much.

[@robinparker1271]

We have a large patch of spider wart. I was pulling up horse weeds that was around them and I noticed several bees in my spider wart. I live in KY

[@skyangel6336]

Bees cover them love them!

[@skyangel6336]

I think some people just don't like them cause they do reseed and will pop just about anywhere they decide. They are a perennial but we don't mind them and like others said their edible We've even moved them all together before if they come up where we don't want them.

[@calabashqueen]

Bees love them!

[@efahrenholz]

My yard is completely infested with these things. You *must* remove the entire root ball. They are prolific growers, worse than bamboo.

[@HomesteadDIY]

lol! I haven't quite had that bad of an experience but if you don't get every bit of root out you will definitely have a new plant growing.

[@tiffyg39]

Eat them

[@myterracegarden1067]

Osm👌👌👌👌

[@oldbattleaxe]

Flame thrower

[@karunald]

IMO the ugliest garden plant ever. I pulled mine out ages ago.