- 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
Also Know 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
Also Know As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 1 year old
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Know As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 year old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Know As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 year old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Know As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2-3 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Know As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 3-4 year old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addict Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
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
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.
