This brings to mind the Biblical story of baby Moses being found in the spiky rushes along the river bank. To divide a Rhoeo spathacea or Moses plant, remove a clump of the stems at the roots. If there is too much dampness in the potting mix, hold off watering until the soil dries out. If conditions are less than ideal, when it comes to humidity, the tips of leaves can turn brown. Like all spiderworts, Moses in the Cradle plants are fairly pest resistant. Prune back Moses-in-the-cradle leaves every spring to encourage healthy growth. Please read this article for helpful advice on how to identify common houseplant pests. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. It will tolerate a minimum temperature … Moses in the Cradle, or Tradescantia spathacea, is an attractive plant often referred to as structural for its stiff leaves. When choosing the right size of container, pick the next size up and make sure it’s got drainage holes in it. If this plant doesn’t get enough water, the spiky leaves will droop and turn brown and dry at the tips. How to Care for Moses in the Cradle. Misting it or using a humidity tray is recommended unless you keep it covered or in a humidified room. If you notice that leaf tips are turning brown, it could mean that the tropical houseplant needs more moisture. Today, my passion has led me to further explore the world of horticulture, botany, and floristry and I'm always excited to meet and collaborate with fellow enthusiasts and professionals from across the globe. It looked fine when I bought it. This can make the plant leggy, so many people choose to take cuttings and start new plants at that point. With little need for pruning or special treatment, you should simply keep a pair of gloves around to handle the plant. for the first time yesterday i noticed a tiny white bug, caterpillar-shaped but only about 3mm long. It will tolerate a minimum temperature of 55°F/13°C. Called by many names, including Cradle Lily and Boat Lily, the Moses-in-the-Cradle plant prefers to be kept away from direct sunlight. Use distilled water or rainwater to ensure minerals and salts don’t build up in the soil. Another mistake that many people make when they water their houseplants is to water often and a little. (1, 2). The most popular Moses plant has green leaves with purple underside and it grows best in indirect light. So, the air temperature should never drop lower than 50°F (10°C). Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Check when it’s time to water by firmly pressing on the soil. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Other spiritual groups use the plant to represent the hidden power of divinity since the flowers are somewhat hidden. This perennial, evergreen plant reaches 12 inches in height. Others include variegated leaves, such as ‘Stripe-Me-Pink’ with green, cream and pink stripes, ‘Vittata’ with yellow and green stripes, and ‘Gold’ with prominent pale yellow bands. Also, repotting a Tradescantia spathacea every year allows you to check for signs of root damage. These cookies do not store any personal information. This plant grows relatively slow, so it takes 2 to 5 years for most plants to get fully grown. Insert this stem into water or soil and cover the cutting with a plastic bag. This keeps the light from getting too intense for the leaves. In any case, it’s very easy to propagate any type of Tradescantia. Also, you create a damp environment in the top layer of soil. The attractive foliage and spreading growth nature mean that the plant is a good ground-cover plant for partial shade. Moses-in-the-Cradle Features: An Overview. 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