Tradescantia spathacea – Herb garden

Tradescantia spathacea (commonly called as boatlily or Moses-in-the-cradle) is an ornamental, herb plant with underground rhizomes, Clumping rosette form. The long leaves (grows up to 40 to 60 cm long, 4 to 6 cm wide) are sword-shaped, dark teal green on top, glossy purple on the underside, waxy and fleshy. The stems are trunk-like, short and stout, nearly hidden by overlapping leaves. The blossoms are small, white, nestled in purple boat-shaped bracts, produced whole year round at leaf axils. Fruits are capsules with 2 seeds. The boatlily plant flourishes well in both indoor and outdoor setting.

Scientific Name: Tradescantia spathacea
Synonyms: Rhoeo discolor, Rhoeo spathacea, Tradescantia discolor, Tradescantia bicolor.
Common Names: boatlily or Moses-in-the-cradle.

 

 

 

 

 

How to grow and maintain Tradescantia spathacea:

Light:
It thrives well in bright, indirect sunlight at least 6 – 8 hours every day. An eastern window exposure is ideal. If you are in the northern hemisphere flourishes a southern window exposure.

Soil:
It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and it requires the soil pH 5 to 6 (acidic).

Temperature:
It prefers average room temperature between 65 °F – 80 °F during the day. They will tolerate low temperatures with no harm.

Water:
Water regularly and moderately, always keep the soil moist but never allow your plant to sit in water. During the winter season, reduce watering and only water when the top of soil becomes dry.

Fertilizer:
Apply a well-balanced fertilizer at half the recommended strength once a month during the growing season. This will help to deliver a full and bushy plant with an abundance of little blooms.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by herbaceous stem cuttings or by seed. Also, propagate with offsets taken from the parent plant and place in new pots, they will root readily.

Pruning:
Pinch out regularly to promote bushy growth. Prune regularly to promote bushy growth. Soft pinching off the growing tips will create a fuller specimen. Once the plant established, prune back to create side branches.

Repotting:
The Moses-in-the-cradle plant likes to be root bound so re-pot about every 2-3 years during the spring season. Transfer to a larger container when root bound using regular potting soil.

Pests and Diseases:
There is no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for mealybugs, scale, whiteflies and spider mites. Root rot may occur if soils are kept too moist.

Advantages of Tradescantia spathacea:

• Tradescantia spathacea is in traditional medicine. The flowers and leaves are used to treat cancer, superficial mycoses, coughs, colds, and dysentery. It has been reported to possess antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-fertility activities
• A decoction of dried or fresh leaves used for a cough, colds, hemoptysis, whooping cough, nose bleed.

warning:
Astringent sap may cause stinging and be itching in susceptible individuals and animals. Try not to eat plant raw, as the sap can cause pain in mouth and throat.