Moses-in-the-Cradle
Care
Lighting
The variegated cultivars need bright light to full sun for intensive leaf coloring. Green forms also do good in partial shade. Tolerates morning sun, evening sun and afternoon sun.
Soil
Regular mixes for container plants, vegetables or herbs can be used.
Watering
Let the soil moderately dry between the waterings. 2/3 of the pots height.
Feeding
When in active growth with standard liquid fertilizer (monthly), spikes or granules (2 to 3 monthly).
New bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first year.
Temperature
Moses-in-the-Cradle can be grown warm the year round with a winter minimum of 12 °C (53 °F).
Propagation
Cuttings from side shoots, division
Profile
Scientific name
Tradescantia spathacea (syn. Rhoeo discolor)
Common name(s)
Moses-in-the-Cradle, Boat Lily
Family
Commelinaceae
Origin
Central America (Mexico to Guatemala)
Height
30 cm
Toxic
No but not edible.
Callisia repens
Tradescantia fluminensis “Tricolor”