Spiderworts generally grow 45 to 60 cm in height, are somewhat leggy with narrow, strap-like leaves and terminal clusters of three-petaled flowers. The flowers are about 2.5 cm across and consists of three triangular petals and prominent fuzzy yellow stamens. The individual blossoms last only one day but more are produced sequentially over a period of several weeks. They start blooming in early spring in the south but not until mid-summer in the north. In southern areas, plants can be cut back after blooming to provide a second flush later in the season.
The species are typically blue, but white and pink forms are known in the wild. It is from these colours, that all the modern hybrids have been developed. The palette now includes white, various shades of blue, lavender, purple, pink and magenta. Even the foliage can vary from bright yellow to purplish.