Tahitian bridal veil is a flowering houseplant with trailing dark green leaves, thin purple stems, and delicate white flowers that resemble a bridal veil. This species comes from the tropical zones of Central and South America. It is a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). The species epithet means “translucent or clear,” but the reference is obscure. The plant prefers partial or filtered sunlight and does not tolerate direct sun. The excessive sun may cause the tops of the leaves to turn brown. Preferably, temperatures should not fall below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Excessive heat and dryness can stress the plant and make it susceptible to aphids. The soil should be moist and well-drained. Pruning of the plant may be done in late winter. Pinching the plant encourages flower production and increases denseness. They may be propagated easily via cuttings placed in water or moist soil. In tropical climates, this plant may be used as a climber or groundcover. Frequently, it is used in hanging baskets or containers. I nsects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs. It may cause mild gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested. The animals' direct contact with the plant may result in dermatitis.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (1-3 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading
Texture
Fine
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The leaves are dark green on the upper surface and purple on the lower surface. They are oval and pointed at the tip of the leaf.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
The small, showy flowers are white, and the bloom is less than 1-inch in diameter. They have 3 sepals and 3 petals with 6 stamens.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Stem color
Purple/Lavender
Stem detail
The thin purple stems are straight, climb, or hang downward.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Portions of Central and South America
Distribution
Native to Argentina Northwest, Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Panama, Peru, Trinidad-Tobago, and Venezuela. Introduced into the Azores.
Food & Medicine
Uses (ethnobotany)
Reportedly, it has been used for the treatment of unspecified medical disorders.
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Hanging Baskets; Houseplants
Design feature
Accent
Garden tags
#problem for dogs #problem for cats #tropical herbaceous perennial #houseplant #fantz
Problems & Resistance
Problems
Contact Dermatitis; Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs