Moses-in-the-Cradle Plant
Tradescantia spathacea
Moses-in-a-Boat Plant
Oyster Plant
A Moses-in-the-Cradle-Plant, Tradescantia spathacea, (alternative names include: Moses-in-a-Boat, Boat Lily, Cradle Lily, Moses-in-the-Bullrushes, Oyster Plant, Rhoeo discolor) is an attractive easy care houseplant native to Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America. Moses In the Cradle Plants produce rosettes of long ,waxy, sword-shaped leaves that are glossy green on top and a rich purple on the under side. The very small three petaled white flowers of a Moses-in-the-Cradle Plant are tucked away in a purple boat shaped bract in the leaf axil. This gives a Moses-in-the-Cradle plant its many common names. Treat A Moses-in-the-Cradle Plant as you would a succulentSucculents, native to very dry areas of the tropics and subtropics, adapted to a limited availability of water by developing thick roots, leaves, and stems. These parts of the plant collect and store water in order to survive long periods of drought. This gives succulents a very swollen appearance and its nickname, the fat plant. Succulents need little water or humidity..
Light
Moses-in-the-Cradle Plants like very bight light at least 6-8 hours a day.
Water
Allow the top inch or two of soil in a Moses in the Cradle plant to dry out before watering. Keep Moses-in-the-Cradle Plants drier during the winter when the plant is not actively growing.
Fertilizer
Feed a Moses in the Cradle Plant monthly in the spring and summer with a well- balanced plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength.
Temperature
60-85 degrees (16-19C) is the best temperature for a Moses-in-the- Cradle Plant. Moses in the Cradle Plants, or Oyster Plants as they are sometimes called, like it a little cooler at night.
Humidity
Moses in the Cradle Plants prefer medium to high humidity.
Flowering
Moses-in-the-Cradle Plants produces small inconsequential three pedaled white flowers.
Pests
spider mitesSpider Mites, members of the Acari family, are small insects about 1mm in size. The most common indoor plant mite is the red spider mite (also called the two-spotted spider mite.). These pests lay their eggs on the under surface of leaves and produce fine webbing especially where the leaves are attached to the stem. Spider mites are hard to see with the naked eye, and may appear only as small red dots. They are more often recognized by the gritty feel of the leaf when you run your finger down it’s length, or by the appearance of discolored leaves due to the sucking action of the mites. The best way to prevent spider mites is to keep your plants clean and dust free. Treat spider mites by spraying every ten days for a month with a product such as Safer Insecticidal Soap. and Mealy BugsMealy Bugs are one of the most annoying and destructive pests that attack houseplants. These tiny sucking insects look like small pieces of cotton. When young, mealy bugs have legs and can crawl. This is the best time to treat an infestation. A female mealy bug can lay over 500 eggs within a 1-2 week period. Mealy bugs suck the sap out of a plant, concentrating on the tender new growth; this causes spots on the leaves, yellow leaves, leaf drop, slow growth, and weak stems. While feeding on the plant, mealy bugs secrete a sticky substance called “honeydew" which acts as a breeding ground for “sooty mold.” This mold covers leaves and stems ruining the plant’s appearance and interfering with photosynthesis. When mealy bugs are immature and crawling, use Yellow Sticky Cards to trap them. Once they mature, Mealy Bugs should be sprayed with the Green Solution. Be sure the plant is well-watered and not in the sun when you spray. Repeat this treatment every 10 days for a month to catch any further eggs that might hatch. On furry leafed plants dip a Qtip in the Green Solution and wipe the mealy bugs off. Do not spray the entire leaf. are the two main houseplant tests that attack a Moses in the Cradle plant.
Diseases
Because Moses in Cradle Plants like high humidity, root rot and leaf spot are two houseplant diseases to look out for.
Soil
Use a good potting soil for a Moses in the Cradle plant that retains moisture yet drains well.
Pot Size
A Moses in the cradle plant likes to be root- bound and only needs to be pocketing re-potted every 2 to 3 years.
Pruning
If you want your Moses in the Cradle to be a more upright rather than a trailing plant, pinch back any new shoots that develop at the base of a Moses-in-the Cradle Plant.
Propagation
Poisonous Plant Info
A Moses in the Cradle Plant is a poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. house plant. It has a Toxicity levelThese are general guidelines that describe how poisonous certain houseplants are. It's possible for an allergic reaction to occur from contact with any houseplant, toxic or non-toxic. If there is ever a concern, call: Poison Control Center: ******1-800-222-1222******
Level #1: Houseplants with low toxicity, may be mildly irritating, especially the sap of the plant.
Level#2: Houseplants with medium to severe toxicity. Eating parts of these houseplants may result in vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties.
Level #3: These houseplants are very poisonous. When eaten, especially in large quantities, severe vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pains, skin irritations, and breathing difficulties can occur.
Level #4: These houseplants are extremely poisonous. Eating parts of these houseplants can be be life threatening.
Every plant listed in our Popular HousePlant section has a section explaining whether or not it is poisonous and, if so, how poisonous. Amaryllis, alocasia, dieffenbachias, crotons, ivies, azaleas, lilies, and philodendrons are just a few of the highly poisonous plants we use in our homes and offices all of the time. If you don't know whether your houseplant is poisonous, go to Ask Judy on the HousePlant411.com website, send her a picture of your plant, and she'll let you know if the houseplant should be kept away from small children and pets. #3. The sap of a Moses in the Cradle plant causes severe pain in the mouth if eaten and minor skin irritations that last a few minutes.
My friend told me there's a pretty new variety of Moses-in-the-Cradle with stripped leaves. What name should I ask for?
The new variety of Moses in the Cradle plants is called Rhoea discolor'Variegata' and it's quite spectacular with striped foliage in burgundy, pink, green and cream.
What causes the beautiful purple and green leaves of my Moses-in-the-Cradle plants to look pale and feel a little gritty or sandy when I touch them?
Great description of what spider mitesSpider Mites, members of the Acari family, are small insects about 1mm in size. The most common indoor plant mite is the red spider mite (also called the two-spotted spider mite.). These pests lay their eggs on the under surface of leaves and produce fine webbing especially where the leaves are attached to the stem. Spider mites are hard to see with the naked eye, and may appear only as small red dots. They are more often recognized by the gritty feel of the leaf when you run your finger down it’s length, or by the appearance of discolored leaves due to the sucking action of the mites. The best way to prevent spider mites is to keep your plants clean and dust free. Treat spider mites by spraying every ten days for a month with a product such as Safer Insecticidal Soap. do to a Moses in the Cradle plant. There are complete instructions how to deal with spider mitesSpider Mites, members of the Acari family, are small insects about 1mm in size. The most common indoor plant mite is the red spider mite (also called the two-spotted spider mite.). These pests lay their eggs on the under surface of leaves and produce fine webbing especially where the leaves are attached to the stem. Spider mites are hard to see with the naked eye, and may appear only as small red dots. They are more often recognized by the gritty feel of the leaf when you run your finger down it’s length, or by the appearance of discolored leaves due to the sucking action of the mites. The best way to prevent spider mites is to keep your plants clean and dust free. Treat spider mites by spraying every ten days for a month with a product such as Safer Insecticidal Soap. in the Glossary Section of the website.
Why are the ends of the leaves on my Moses-in the Cradle turning brown?
The ends of the leave of a Moses in the cradle plant turn brown when there is not enough humidity in the air in the room is to try. You can put in a small humidifier next to your Moses in the Cradle Plant or place your plant on a wet pebble tray; be sure the plant is sitting on pebbles and not in the water. I don't recommend misting a Moses-in-the Cradle since this encourages fungal & bacterial diseases on the leaves.
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