Availability : In Stock

Oyster Plant

Availability : In Stock

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$18.99
  • Flashy Foliage
  • Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light, Low Light)
  • Below Average Watering Needs
  • Mature Height 8-16 Inches

Tradescantia spathacea goes by a few familiar names: Moses in the Cradle, Moses in a Boat, Boat Lily, or Oyster Plant. These names do a great job of describing the way the flowers are cradled inside the leaf joints. The multi-colored leaves add to the year-round interest of this easy-to-grow houseplant.

Best Locations For Growing Oyster Plant

Place Oyster Plant on a table or low shelf as a specimen plant. Average room temperature (65-80 degrees F) and humidity is just fine for this adaptable plant. USDA zones 9-11 can grow this plant outdoors as a ground cover in partial sun to partial shade. All parts of this plant are toxic to pets and humans.

Oyster Plant Sunlight Requirements

Bright indirect light in a south-facing room is perfect and will help keep this plant’s color vibrant. East and west-facing windows are also good places to grow Oyster Plant.

Oyster Plant Care

Oyster Plant is easy to grow and requires little in the way of regular maintenance. Plant this houseplant in loose indoor potting soil with perlite or vermiculite added for good drainage. Do not place the pot in front of drafty windows or doors, and keep the plant away from heating and air conditioning vents.

Watering Oyster Plant

The soil should stay lightly moist between waterings during the summer. Depending on humidity, watering may need to be done 2-3 times a week in the summer. Oyster Plant is semi-dormant in the winter, and the roots do not need as much moisture. Water once weekly in the winter, when the top 2-3 inches of soil have dried out.

Feeding Oyster Plant

Fertilizing is only needed during the spring and summer. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in place of regular watering. Be careful not to get fertilizer on the leaves, which can quickly burn.

Oyster Plant Information

Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light, Medium Light, Low Light
Care Requirements: Easy
Watering Requirements: Below Average - Let the soil dry completely, then, water deeply.
Pet Friendly: No
Kid Friendly: No
Air Purifier: Moderate
Habit: Clumping
Growth Rate: Fast
Mature Height: 8-16 inches
Mature Spread: 12-16 inches
Flowering: Yes
Flower Color(s): White
Flower Shade/Description: White
Fragrant: No
Foliage Type: Variegated
Foliage Color(s): Green, Purple
Foliage Description: Purple Underside and a Green to Metallic Grey Variegated
Temperature: 65° - 80°F (18° - 27°C)
Humidity: Average (40% - 60%)
Common Name: Oyster Plant
Other Name(s): Oyster Plant, Boatlily, Moses-In-The-Cradle
Scientific Name: Tradescantia spathacea
Plant Type: House Plant
SKU:
Tradescantia_Moses.In.The.Cradle-HP

Container Sizes

Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

4.5 Pot

4.5" Pot
 Also Known As:
   4.5" Container

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months
 Plant Size:
   ~ 3"-6"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
 Volume:
   1.42 quarts

Quart Pot

Quart Pot
 Also Known As:
   Quart

 Plant Age:
   ~ 6 months - 1 year
 Plant Size:
   ~ 4"-8"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
 Volume:
   1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart

2.5 Quart
 Also Known As:
   2.5 Quart Pot

 Plant Age:
   ~ 1 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 8"-12"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
 Volume:
   2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot

#1 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #1 Container
    1 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1 - 2 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 10"-14"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 7"H x 7.75"W
 Volume:
   2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot

#2 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #2 Container
    2 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 1.5 - 3 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-18"
 Pot Size:
   ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
 Volume:
   1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot

#3 Pot
 Also Known As:
   #3 Container
    3 Gallon
 Plant Age:
   ~ 2 - 4 years old
 Plant Size:
   ~ 12"-30"
 Pot Size:
   ~9.5"H x 11"W
 Volume:
   2.32-2.76 gallons


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Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)

Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly. 

For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.

Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)

Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)

We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.

For more information, please click on our page below.

Guarantee and Warranty

Plant Shipping

Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.

Winter to Early Spring

We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.

Summer

If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.

Fall into Winter

We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!

Winter

Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!

Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information. 

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Planter Shipping

Standard Colors: 2-3 business days

Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice

Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations