Oyster Plant

$18.99
(1 review) Write a Review
Availability : In Stock
$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 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

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

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

#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

#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

#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 guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy and healthy, but the plant(s) are being shipped through the mail and 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 information on how to care for you new plant please check out our guide. 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 new or an expert. There are many variables outside our control and yours that can cause the demise of your plant(s). Examples would be hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, disease, insects & many other factors. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all the unknowns and will replace your plant if it moves on to the plant afterlife.

The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant purchase. We will cover 100% of the price of the plant but the warranty does not cover shipping cost. Simply let us know if your plant has died within one year of receiving it and we’ll get you a new one shipped out. We may ask for photos for documentation purposes but again we’ll try to make it as easy as possible.

For more information, please go to our Shipping & Returns page at the bottom of the website.

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.

1 Review - Oyster Plant Show Reviews

  • 5
    Great plant!

    Posted by David Abrams on Nov 23, 2022

    The 3 Oyster Plants I received this week are terrific! They add color and vibrancy to the jungle in my living room. They arrived in great health and seem to be adapting well. They add a unique variety to my other plant friends!!