Widow’s tears have been used to relieve itching associated with insect bites.
Widow’s tears (Tradescantia virginiana), more commonly known as Virginia spider lily, spider lily, or trinity flower, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to the central, eastern, and southern United States. Usually found growing in moist grasslands, meadows, and forests, the plant grows vigorously in the wild and in cultivation. Widow’s tears also produce lightly scented flowers that are bright blue, purple, violet, or white. The flowers do not last more than two days before wilting, but new flowers appear every day during the growing season.
The plant grows in an upright clump that reaches up to 36 inches (91.44 centimeters) tall and produces rounded stems that are simple or branched at the base. Widow’s tears have a widespread, although not invasive, growth habit. This makes it ideal for planting in areas that need informal cover, such as between shrubs and large ornamentals, or under trees. The plant spreads through underground stems to form large colonies. The smooth, strap-like leaves are similar to those of the iris and arouse interest in the garden when the flowers are no longer in bloom.
Native American tribes, including the Cherokees, used widow’s tears for various medicinal purposes and as food. They ate the young leaves of the plant as salad greens or boiled them with the young leaves of other native plants. The whole plant was crushed and sprinkled on insect bites and other superficial wounds to relieve itching, and a paste made from the crushed roots of the plant was used as a treatment for cancer. Tea made from the leaves and stems of the plant has been used to treat constipation, stomach ailments, reproductive and kidney problems. Today the plant is most commonly used for ornamental purposes.
Widow’s Tears prefers a growing environment that receives partial shade to full sun, and consists of poor to medium acid soil. It adapts to drier areas if necessary, but thrives in moderately moist, well-drained soil. Due to its native temperate habitat, the plant can tolerate temperatures as low as -30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34.44 degrees Celsius). Although relatively free of pests and diseases, young snails sometimes eat the shoots of the plant.
Blooming vigorously, Widow’s Tears produce flowers throughout the spring and summer months. It sometimes blooms again in fall if the stems are removed in late summer after the first blooming period has subsided. Established wild and garden plants will self-seed under ideal conditions, and any stems left in the ground will take root quickly. Dividing the plants every two to four years and removing stems from the ground before they can take root will help prevent the plant from growing vigorously.
