Tradescantia spathacea
Tradescantia spathacea (Moses-in-the-Cradle) Care Guide
Featured phototradescantia-spathacea.jpgTradescantia spathacea is the Moses-in-the-cradle plant, a Mexican tradescantia with stiff, sword-shaped leaves arranged in a rosette — green on top and rich purple underneath. It produces small white flowers nestled in pairs of purple bracts, hence the trade name. It is more upright and architectural than typical trailing tradescantias and tolerates ordinary indoor conditions.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Water when the top 2 cm of mix has dried.
- Humidity
- 40–60 %
- Temperature
- 16–29 °C
- Soil
- Standard well-draining houseplant mix with perlite.
- Toxicity
- Mildly irritating. Sap can cause skin irritation. (humans) · Mildly toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Tradescantia listing. (pets)
- Origin
- Belize, Guatemala, and southern Mexico.
- Mature size
- 30 to 45 cm tall.
Overview
Tradescantia spathacea was previously named Rhoeo spathacea and is more upright and rosette-like than typical tradescantias. The Tricolor cultivar with cream-pink-green stripes is a popular variegated form.
Care Priorities
- Bright filtered light keeps the purple deep.
- Tolerates direct sun if acclimated.
- Allow the top of the mix to dry between waterings.
- Detach offsets to keep clumps tidy.
Common Problems
Pale leaves with no purple are too little light. Yellow leaves are overwatering. Tips browning are tap-water salts.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Moses-in-the-cradle?
Small white flowers nestle inside paired purple bracts at the base of leaves, looking like a tiny baby in a cradle.
Outdoor planting?
In warm climates yes — spathacea is sometimes invasive in subtropical regions. Treat as houseplant or seasonal patio plant.
Tricolor vs typical?
Same care. Tricolor has cream-pink-green stripes that need brighter light to maintain.
