Scale, mealybugs, spider mites, and whitefly are common pests affecting Tradescantia spathacea. Oyster plants are not considered toxic to animals. A Complete Guide, Top Plants That Look Like Brocolli to Grow in Your Kitchen Garden, Philodendron Grandipes Care: A Complete Overview of the Exuberant Beauty. eventually turn black and mushy. . House plants are always healthy and gorgeous and it won't be hard to keep them that way. The ideal period for pruning your Moses-in-the-Cradle plants is in spring, as then begins their active growth. When given enough light, The leaves are long and skinny with a pointed oval lance-type shape. Join our dynamic garden community. They will exhibit purple-red foliage under proper sunlight exposure. Disclosure: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if readers purchase products through these links. Cut down the leaves of hardy varieties in mid to late autumn. These plants prefer a fairly rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral soil pH. repotted. They have increased in frequency or abundance, making them a pretty invasive species in Florida and Louisiana. They usually need repotting once a few years to provide them with extra room to grow. Medicinal plants were extracted with 70% methanol and different concentrations of each plant extract (25 mg/ml, 50 mg/ml and 100 mg/ml) were prepared by diluting with distilled water. : not direct sunlight). If the top inch feels dry to the touch, use the soak-and-drain method for watering it. With this method, instead of first cutting off a stem and then rooting it, you will leave the stem attached to the parent tradescantia and let it root in a separate container of soil. In addition, if you catch the pest problem at the beginning, you might be able to wipe the pests from the Oyster plant using a damp cloth. Blooms in Spring. Good oyster plant care requires moderate to high humidity for their leaves to remain healthy looking. If the plant looks particularly bad, take it out of the pot, clean the pot, and repot it into the fresh clean dry potting mix. A Tradescantia spathacea leaf was secured to a microscope stage by masking tape . steps in the planting section to plant the Oyster plant babies. Provided your soil mixture drains well and doesnt retain too much water, you will only have to worry about replanting the Oyster plant when the clump outgrows the present container. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"What is the hardiness zone for Tradescantia Spathacea? Size of the plant: 10-30 cm, 4-12 inches. There are several varieties of oyster plants that range in appearance, including: The oyster plant produces new plant shoots that pop up around the base of the main plant. We recommend using this method at the same time as repotting your Moses-in-the-cradle plant, to avoid disturbing the roots too much. . Plant them in an area that has indirect . Propagation: Tradescantia is easy to propagate from stem cuttings, offsets, division, or seed. You can dip the stems in rooting hormone powder if you like, but its not necessary. additional slow-release granules or use a liquid blend instead. They can tolerate lower light conditions like partial shade, but you will notice the best foliage color when you grow them in a sunny spot. Easy to care for, the Moses-in-the-cradle plant needs bright indirect light, well-draining soils, and regular watering to stay healthy. Fill some pots with fresh and damp potting soil and plant your cuttings gently. or online plant dealer, you have choices in other varieties or cultivars of It is the same family as the popular Wandering Jew plant and the spiderwort..A Moses on the Cradle plant has several common names such as Oyster . You forgot to mention seed propagation. Web The oyster plant Tradescantia spathacea is a popular eye-catching.. Moses-in-the-cradle belongs to the Tradescantia genus that contains about 75 species of herbaceous perennial wildflowers. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. The seeds will germinate in a few weeks. Lets start with a quick summary of oyster plant care, to help you keep yours thriving for years. In summer, you can water it once a week, then reduce the watering frequency to once every 10 14 days in winter. Tradescantia thrives in humidity, and they love regular misting. Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors and cut off a few healthy stems from your plant. The best well-draining soil combination is a mixture of coco coir or peat moss and perlite. Tradescantia spathacea is not a heavy feeder. giving you extra propagation material. It gets the common name Moses-in-the-cradle due to the shape of the flowers, Boat lily due to canoe-shaped leaves and Oyster plant from the flowers that resemble oysters. Tradescantia spathacea isnt picky about soil. drains well and only apply water when the top inch of soil becomes dry to the The plant is also relatively dormant in the winter when days are short, and the plant, therefore, does not need as much water. Water a bit more than you would a regular plant to help keep the soil slightly moist. Oyster plant for up to three months at which time youll need to apply To propagate Tradescantia Spathacea: Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors and cut off a few healthy stems from your plant. During the warmer seasons, the humidity around your plants should be kept at 40%. . Partial shade will result in leggy stems and faded colors, and the leaves may even revert to their natural green color. These plants are naturalized in various areas of Hawaii, Florida, Texas, and some oceanic islands. Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets) . outgrowing its present container, use a new container that is one size larger. If youre looking for something smaller, the Tradescantia spathacea Dwarf cultivar will only grow to a maximum height and width of one foot. This is because the soil doesnt dry out as quickly during winter, so you dont need to water it as often. Tradescantia spathacea has naturalized in Florida and Louisiana, and although its impact on the local ecosystem is still being studied, it is listed as a Category II invasive exotic species. If this happens, its best to remove the Oyster plant from the container and lighten the soil mixture by adding additional potting mix, sterile sand or vermiculite. If the entire leaf of your Oyster plant is turning brown, it could be getting too much direct sunlight and burning, or its getting too much water. Position in bright, indirect light in temperatures of 55-80F (13-27C) and ensure moderate to high humidity levels. Water The container should have ample drainage holes. Oyster plants are considered relatively free from Pick a part of your garden that receives plenty of sun in the morning but is sheltered from the intense midday sun. Prepare a pot which is 25 - 30 % larger. Tradescantia spathacea plants are among the easiest houseplants to care for. She bought her first succulent 10 years ago - an adorable Echeveria Setosa. Place offsets or cuttings in water to root, or plant directly into soil. smartgardenguide.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and other Amazon stores worldwide. Start seed indoors 8 weeks before transplanting outside. The lance-shaped leaves grow 6 to 12 inches long and plants average During their active growing period, Moses-in-the-Cradle will benefit from regular fertilizing. They usually need repotting once a few years to provide them with extra room to grow. . Back off on watering over the winter when the plant is dormant. Humidity: Moderate to high humidity to provide good oyster plant care. Guide to Moses in the Cradle plants for everything you will ever need to know! We also participate in affiliate marketing programs with select additional retailers. Home for the harvest is a destination gardening website for people who just want to grow things. Tradescantia spathacea is not too pretentious when it comes to humidity. Tradescantia spathacea thrives with bright, indirect light. So if youre looking to add the beautiful Tradescantia spathacea to your collection, what are you waiting for! Overwatering may cause root rot.) Its growth can become stunted if exposed to temperatures below 55 F (13 C), and the plant will suffer permanent damage in freezing conditions. Tradescantia can be propagated by division or from cuttings. Instead, the plant has a bushy growth habit, and will only grow as wide as two feet. However, overwatering can lead to root rot. The Moses-in-the-cradle plant will flower throughout the year. They should be brought indoors if there is a threat of frost. You can deter these pests by properly caring for your plant, ensuring its watered correctly, is receiving enough sunlight, and is fertilized correctly. Although it will tolerate growing in dimmer indoor conditions, the colors will not be as pronounced or as bright. We are very accomodating and receptive. in soil that is too heavy and retains too much water. The genus is named in honor of the gardeners and botanists to Charles I of England, John Tradescant and his son, who goes by the same name. The oyster plant is generally easy to care for. Although this plant is low-key, it doesnt like drafts, so make sure you place it in an area with a consistent temperature range. If lack of humidity isnt the problem, too much fertilizer or a buildup of salts in the soil is most likely burning the foliage. Tradescantia spathacea can be grown in temperatures ranging from 64 to 80 F (18 to 27 C). Propagation: The mother plant will produce babies attached to side shoots. the soil again and until it runs from the bottom drain holes. It's best to wait until they're at least 4 inches tall to propagate. Once the roots are a few inches long (usually after 3-4 weeks) you can transfer it to a pot with soil. Tradescantia Spathacea is a perennial plant that lives for multiple growing seasons. We love them too as they bring some diversity in our gardens and Moses-in-the-Cradle plants are really worth a chance to prove their heart-stealing abilities. Are you so fascinated by these alluring species that you want to share some with your plant-lovers friends? If you are growing the Oyster plant in a potting mix Use a rooting hormone to speed up the process. We love gardening and we want to share this love with you. Water until water drains through the bottom of the pot, taking care that your plant won't sit in water. If the air around your Moses-in-the-Cradle plants is too dry, you can maintain the ideal humidity using a humidifier or by misting them regularly. Fertile and If purple, variegated plants are your jam, then the Tradescantia spathacea will be perfect for you. Thats it! For more information about how to pick the perfect time to water your plants, read this article. They are very attractive plants that can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) in height. Remove dead foliage and prune as required to maintain shape. Look no further than Tradescantia Spathacea! white flowers encased in purple boat-shaped bracts bloom year-round. These low-growing plants act as groundcovers, reaching about 1 (30 cm) tall as they spread across the soil. Tradescantias are native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala. of potting soils they can develop rot and die. The oyster plant (Tradescantia spathacea) is a popular, eye-catching, compact houseplant that also can be grown outdoors in warm climates (or brought outside over the summer in cooler climates). To protect the plants from any diseases, it is suggested you use a blade that is always wiped in rubbing alcohol before each cut. Duford Digital Inc.2933 30th Ave, Suite #104Vernon, BC, Canada, V1T 2B8, Tradescantia spathacea plant care & growing guide, tradescantia-spathacea-the-basics>Tradescantia spathacea: The basics, Light requirements for Tradescantia spathacea, Humidity & temperature for Tradescantia spathacea, Common pests affecting Tradescantia spathacea, Common diseases affecting Tradescantia spathacea, White Knight philodendron plant care & growing guide, Tradescantia Spathacea (Moses in the Cradle) Plant from Sol Succulents, Tradescantia Spathacea~Boat Lily~Moses in The Cradle Plant from Artistic Solutions, Tradescantia Spathacea Striped Rhoeo Discolor Tricolor from WRC Greenhouses, Tradescantia Spathacea Rhoeo Tricolor Houseplant from FC Gardens, Tradescantia Spathacea Rhoeo Sitaras Gold Plant from WRC Greenhouses, Tricolor Moses in the Cradle Plant from Hirts Gardens at Wal-Mart, Joyful Dirt Dry Granular Houseplant Fertilizer Shaker, Espoma Organic Liquid Fertilizer Concentrate For Indoor Plants, Arber Bio-Based Organic Indoor Plant Food, Natures Care Organic Potting Mix from Miracle-Gro, My Favorite Houseplant Care Tools & Indoor Garden Gear, Choosing and installing a pendant grow light. Sit the Oyster plants container on a tray of small pebbles and as the water in the pebble-lined tray evaporates, humidity is created around the plant. Tradescantia spathacea, also known as boat lily, oyster plant, or Moses-in-the-cradle, is a flowering plant from the Tradescantia genus. Tradescantia spathacea, commonly called Moses-in-a-basket or oyster plant, is a clump-forming evergreen perennial that is native to southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. [HEALTY GUARANTEE] House plants are always healthy and gorgeous and it won't be hard to keep them that way. Finally, the last method you can use to propagate spiderwort from stems is by layering. produces additional plants through side shoots that can be removed and Once established, Oyster plants are relatively tolerant to drought, so it will forgive you if you forget to give it an occasional drink of water. Use a humidifier, group your plants or place the entire container on a pebble-lined tray. Tradescantia plants root extremely quickly that way. You can either root the cuttings in water or plant them in a well-draining soil mix. A Moses in the Cradle plant grows beautifully both as an outdoor plant and as a colorful indoor plant. When it comes to choosing their potting soil, Moses-in-the-Cradle plants have no high demands. This is easily done by snipping off a few inches of stem, removing the lower leaves (leave a few at the tip), and sticking the cutting in water or damp soil. All year, better in the winter and after blooming season. We recommend using a mix of two parts universal potting soil and one part perlite. Choose a slightly larger container, and repot the plant in fresh potting mix. Then plant the cuttings in a well-draining soil. Water propagation is essentially nothing more than removing a piece of a stem cutting or leaf-cutting and placing it in a container of water; it is best . Place Another way to propagate your Tradescantia is to skip the water rooting and put the cuttings straight into the soil. Mist regularly. If after watering the water remains on top of the containers soil for a long period before draining, your soil is too heavy. This showy evergreen with its no-fuss habit is a perfect choice for the beginner or those who do not want to tend to high-maintenance plants. Look for a good-quality all-purpose potting mix that is designed for houseplants. A balanced, universal fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 6-6-6, diluted to half the strength, should do the trick. If the top half of the potting soil is dry, thoroughly water your plant and let the water drain completely. This article will cover the basics of owning and caring for a Tradescantia Spathacea so you can help your plant thrive in your home! If the rot problem is severe, the Oyster plant Due to their easy-going nature, Moses-in-the-Cradle plants are pretty simple to grow and care for. 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