Moses in the Cradle
An upright tradescantia with stiff, sword-shaped leaves, dark green on top and vivid purple beneath, in a rosette to a foot tall. Tiny white flowers hide in purple boat-shaped bracts at the base. Tough, drought tolerant, and a good colour plant for a bright, dry room.
Moses in the cradle is the tradescantia that stands up. Instead of trailing, it forms a stiff rosette of sword-shaped leaves, a foot or so tall, dark green on the upper surface and a deep, glossy purple beneath, so it reads as a purple plant from most angles. The name comes from the flowers: tiny white blooms tucked inside purple, boat-shaped bracts at the base of the leaves, like a baby in a basket.
It is a Central American plant used to heat, sun and dry spells, and it makes a very tough houseplant: bright light, water when the soil is dry, and almost nothing else.
Light
Bright, indirect light with some direct sun gives the deepest purple and the tightest rosette. It tolerates medium light, going greener and looser. It can take a south or west window a couple of feet back, and is one of the few colourful plants that does not scorch easily.
Water
Let the top two inches dry, then water and drain. Every eight days or so in summer, every two weeks in winter. The thick leaves and stems store water, so it forgives drought and resents soggy soil, which rots the base of the rosette.
Soil and potting
A well-draining potting mix with a third perlite, in a pot with drainage. Repot every eighteen months, one size up. It offsets from the base and fills a pot with a clump of rosettes.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced feed every six weeks in spring and summer.
Propagation
Offsets from the base can be cut away with roots and potted. Stem cuttings also root in water or damp mix in a couple of weeks.
In a hot, dry home
A natural for a dry home. Heat, sun, low humidity and dry soil are its native conditions. Put it in a bright window, water every week or so in summer and every two in winter, and keep it out of the cold pool under an AC vent. The purple deepens in strong light.
Moses in the Cradle varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Spathacea (green and purple)
The standard form: dark green above, purple below.
- Tricolor (Sitara)
Leaves striped cream, pink and green above, purple below. Needs brighter light.
- Sitara's Gold
Golden-yellow leaves with a purple underside.
Problems and fixes
Base going soft and brown
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Dry it out; cut away rotted leaves; repot the healthy top if needed.
Leaves green rather than purple
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move it to a brighter window.
Lower leaves browning
Likely cause: Normal ageing
Fix: Pull them off at the base.
Leaves limp
Likely cause: Thirsty
Fix: Water thoroughly.
Moses in the Cradle questions
Is Moses in the cradle pet safe?
No. The sap causes mild stomach upset and irritation in cats and dogs, and can irritate skin.
Does it flower?
Yes, almost constantly: small white flowers inside purple boat-shaped bracts at the base of the leaves.
How much sun can it take?
A good deal. A few hours of direct sun a day deepens the purple. Hot midday sun through glass in summer is the only thing to avoid.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Tradescantia Nanouk
- Light
- Medium to bright indirect
- Water
- Weekly
- Pets
- Toxic
Snake Plant
- Light
- Low to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Ponytail Palm
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
