Tradescantia spathacea Rhoeo Plant  (Tradescantia spathacea  |  Moses-in-the-Cradle  |  Oyster Plant)

Description

There are many different names for this wonderful little tropical; you’ll probably know it as Rhoeo, Moses-in-the-Cradle, or Oyster Plant, but whatever you call it, Tradescantia spathacea will quickly bring drama and visual interest into your home. The leaves are structured in upward pointing, rosette fashion; bright green on the surface and striking purple on the underside. You get this dual color effect through-out the year, you just won’t have to be at the right time of year or wait for flowers.

The plant originating in Mexico and Central America falls in the Commelinaceae family. Home growers throughout India put the plants indoors and outdoors in containers, nursery beds or even the ground. The Rhoeo takes the heat and humidity in India as we as it only has to have minimal care to be content. They would be perfect for a novice as well as ideal for a professional gardening skill.

The plant will thrive on a bright window sill, balcony, terrace or as part of a border arrangement. The houseplant is happy in a window area with a few hours of light per day. It is very well behaved in a pot, does not grow very widely and is therefore ideal for small apartments as well as large homes. Since it already looks good as a small plant, it is a suitable gift.

Key Features

• Double sided leaves, green on the top surface, dark purple to violet underneath give a unique visual contrast to the plant in any environment. 
• Suitable to plant outdoors as well as in normal Indian house conditions. It requires no specific mounting conditions.
• Small rosettes take up less space and can be maintained on a small shelf, windowsill, small pot or balcony corner. 
• Very forgiving for the forgetful, tolerant to occasional short dry spells. 
• Bears tiny white blooms emerging from the sheaths of leaf axils, from a boat shaped bud that comes at the base of the leaf blade. 
• It could be used as a solo plant in a pot or as part of a mixed container. 
• A nice option for a present for a new house, birthday gift, wedding or a festival gift, looks nice, healthy and colored right from seedling stage. 
• It survives normal Indian humidity, without needing constant misting.

Care at a Glance

Product Specifications

What's in the Box

• 1 × Live Rhoeo (Tradescantia spathacea) sapling — healthy, rooted plant
• 1 × Pot (Bare-rooted / Pot: Optional, as chosen at purchase)
• Basic care instruction card

Important Notes

• Colour variation is normal: Purple coloration along the underside of the leaves can vary between plants as far as darkness based upon amount of light exposure and your plant's age.
• Transit stress: Don't be surprised to find that one or two leaves might drop off during shipping. Just pop it in some partial shade, give a little watering, and allow it a couple of days to get adjusted.
• Toxicity: The sap has a mild toxicity and can be irritant for the skin for sensitive individuals. Children and pets shouldn’t come near the plants. After touching, wash your hands thoroughly.
• Light and Colour The intensity of the purple underside remains longest when the plant is exposed to healthy indirect light. In too dark a place the colour can dull a bit, in which case an open spot should solve it.
• Outdoor Use: The plant tolerates full outdoors in warm climates of India however, protects from strong and searing afternoon sun during hot summer months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I grow Rhoeo at home in India indoors? 

A: Yes, can you grow Rhoeo indoors as the plant does not require it does not need a greenhouse to remain healthy can grow it very nicely in your indoor home space without any worries place Rhoeo in east and west facing window receive indirect light for a couple of hour a day.

Q: Why does my Rhoeo have dull purple leaves?

A: Typically it is because of not enough light. The colour on the underside of the Rhoeo leaf has to have lots of good bright light, indirect only. If it was kept in a very shady spot this is likely to happen. Position it near the window and after a few weeks you’ll notice it return.

Q: How many times per day should I water a young Rohoe plant? 

A: Just give the soil a touch test; if the soil is cool or dry for the first inch, go ahead and water from top till excess water is out from base, this normally once 3-5 days during hotter months and from top till the surface and leave in a tray of water in cooler months once a week.

Q: Does the Rhoeo plant bloom? 

A: Plants that do flower actually show tiny white flowers in boat-like, (bracts) structures in between leaves (this characteristic gave the Rhoeo several other common names like the Oyster plant and Moses-in-the- Cradle) they flower throughout the year though at sporadic intervals.

Q: Will this plant hurt my pets?

A: The Tradescantia spathacea plant is only mildly toxic for your pets to chew or eat the leaves. The leaves sap can cause your pet some skin irritation too, so out of reach it is a must. In most cases if your cat or dog has eaten it and shows other problems contact your vet.