Planta Discover

How to Water a Purple heart Spiderwort

Published November 20, 2025

How to Water a Purple heart Spiderwort

How to water

Feel the soil, the top layer (about 2 inches) should be dry before giving more water. If the soil is still wet you risk giving the plant too much water and it can rot.

If the soil is wet - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

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Water over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

  3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water

  4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

The Purple heart Spiderwort are sensitive against root rot and symptoms might be: limp, wilted stems. So make sure that it's planted in a pot wight drainage holes and good draining soil.
— Planta tip

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Bottom watering

  1. Fill the plant tray with water

  2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

  3. Wait for about 10 minutes

  4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

  5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray

  6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

  1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

  2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

  3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

  4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

  5. Put the plant back in the cachepot or on the tray

  6. After 1 hour, check that the plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

Frequently asked questions

How do I know when my Purple heart Spiderwort needs water?

Feel the soil to check its moisture level; the top two inches should be dry before you water your plant again. If the soil is still wet, it's best to wait a couple of days to prevent overwatering.

What happens if I overwater my Purple heart Spiderwort?

Your Purple heart Spiderwort (Tradescantia pallida) is sensitive to root rot, which can cause symptoms like limp or wilted stems. Always make sure it's in a pot with drainage holes and good draining soil to help prevent this issue.

Should I always bottom water my Purple heart Spiderwort?

While bottom watering is an effective method for your Purple heart Spiderwort, it won't wash away accumulated salts and other minerals from the soil. For this reason, you should also water over the soil occasionally to help flush these out.

How long should I let my Purple heart Spiderwort soak when bottom watering?

When bottom watering, allow your plant to sit in the water-filled tray for about 10 minutes initially. If the soil is still dry throughout, you can add more water and wait another 20 minutes before removing any excess water from the tray.

How do I give my Purple heart Spiderwort a water bath?

Fill a bucket or vessel with lukewarm water and carefully lower the entire pot into it, submerging all the soil but stopping where the plant's stem begins. Wait for the bubbles to stop, then lift the pot and let all the excess water drain off before returning the plant to its cachepot or tray.

How to water a Purple heart Spiderwort by pouring over the soil

  1. Check the soil to ensure the top two inches are dry before watering.

  2. Pour water directly over the soil, using a watering can or by placing the plant under a tap.

  3. Continue adding water until you see it begin to run out from the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

  4. If you have a tray under the pot, immediately remove any collected water; never let your plant sit in standing water.

  5. If you watered under a tap, ensure no water is still running from the bottom before returning the plant to its spot.