Oyster Plant Care: Tips For Growing Tradescantia Spathacea (Rhoeo)

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The oyster plants, Rhoeo spathacea, [ROH-ee-oh] [spath-ay-SEE-uh], displays boat-shaped bracts holding little white flowers.

The oyster plant comes from the warm, humid regions of Central America where it’s commonly found growing in the shade of taller plants.

Tradescantia Oyster plants with white bloomsPin
Oyster Plant Moses in the Cradle | lillitve-DepositPhotos

Rhoeo spathacea is native to Guatemala, Belize, and Southern Mexico.

These tropical plants are also naturalized in North America in Louisiana and South Florida where it’s considered an invasive species.


The beautiful oyster plant has become a popular choice for its simple yet bold appearance.

The variegated sports has unique foliage featuring three colors with stripes of green, pink, and white on top and purple underneath.

The distinct foliage gives Rhoeo spathacea several of its common names:

  • Rhoeo tricolor
  • Tricolor oyster plant
  • Boat lily
  • Moses in a boat
  • Moses in the cradle

Part of the Commelinaceae family, Rhoeo spathacea also has several synonyms, including Tradescantia spathacea.

Vibrant purple plants with scenic backdrop.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @memopelli

Oyster Plant Quick Care Tips

  • Botanical Name: Tradescantia Spathacea Rhoeo
  • Common Name(s): Moses-in-the-Cradle, Oyster Plant, Boat Lily
    Synonyms: Rhoeo discolor, Tradescantia discolor
  • Family & Origin: Commelinaceae family, native to Guatemala, Belize and Southern Mexico
  • Growability: Easy to grow
  • Grow Zone: USDA zones 9-11
  • Size: Grows up to 1-2′ feet tall and wide
  • Flowering: Produces small white flowers in the summer
  • Light: Prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate low light
  • Humidity: Tolerates low humidity but prefers higher humidity levels
  • Temperature: Thrives in temperatures between 60-85°F
  • Soil: Well-draining soil with organic matter
  • Water: Water when the top inch of soil is dry, do not overwater
  • Fertilizer: Fertilize once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer
  • Pests & Diseases: Susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs, can also develop root rot if overwatered
  • Propagation: Propagate through stem cuttings or by division
  • Plant Uses: Used as a houseplant or in outdoor landscaping as a ground cover or border plant.

Tradescantia is from the well-known wandering Jew plant family.

No matter what you decide to call it, make sure these foliage plants get the right amount of humidity and shade.

Moses-In-The-Cradle Care

Size and Growth

The dwarf oyster plant isn’t a big plant.

It rarely grows more than 18″ inches tall, making it easy to manage.

As mentioned, the oyster plant produces tri-colored leaves.

variegated form of Osyter plantPin
Drought tolerant Tricolor Oyster Plant | Tamara_k-DepositPhotos

The tops include stripes with light colors while the bottoms feature a dark purplish color.



The leaves grow directly from the base of the plant without tall stems or branches.

Flowering and Fragrance

Rhoeo Oyster plant flowers also grow directly from the base, but most people choose to grow this plant for its striking tricolor and, sometimes, green leaves.

The flowers are small and hard to notice as they grow close to each other at the base.

The little white petals appear on cradle-like bracts and last for many months but don’t produce a noticeable fragrance.

Light and Temperature

The best outdoor growing conditions include USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11.

In the summer, oyster plant grows well in temperatures in the low 70s.

During the colder months, keep the plant in a location that stays above 60° degrees Fahrenheit.

Purple striped plant leaves in sunlightPin
Photo Credit: Instagram @alexgrowsthings

Outside of the recommended hardiness zone 10, the plant likely needs to overwinter indoors.

Avoid setting the plant in drafty spots or areas with much wind.

Rhoeo plants enjoy part sun and part shade.

When grown indoors, place in a north-facing or east-facing window to avoid giving the plant too much bright sunlight.

In the winter, move the plant to a window without direct sun, such as a part sun and part shade east-facing window.

Watering and Feeding

Water the drought-tolerant oyster plant thoroughly about once per week, but avoid overwatering.

If water stands in the dish below the pot, it’s getting too much water. Feed with a houseplant fertilizer throughout the active growing season.

In the winter, water about once every two weeks.

Don’t use fertilizer in the winter.

Watering is important, but humidity is the greater concern.

Use frequent misting with a spray bottle to keep the plant moist, especially during the dry winter months.

Soil and Transplanting

Moses, in a boat, grows best in a very porous potting mix. Plant in a pot with a drainage hole for faster drainage. To create the right conditions, mix leaf mold with light humus.

Vibrant purple plant in a beige pot.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @ivy.the.oasis

Transplant this low-maintenance plant every two to three years, but don’t move up to a larger pot unless repotting a younger plant.

If the pot is too big, the root system will take too much of the nourishment, stunting the development of the attractive leaves.

Grooming and Maintenance

Oyster plants don’t require grooming, but some growers like to clean up the fallen leaves.

Related: Collecting Inch Plants

How To Propagate Rhoeo Spathacea

Propagate the oyster plant using cuttings or seeds.

To propagate with cuttings, use these simple steps:

  • In the early spring, cut the top of the plant off. This encourages the plant to produce side shoots.
  • Cut the shoots off after they reach two to four inches.
  • Plant the cuttings in well-drained potting soil. To create the right medium, mix equal parts of standard soil, leaf mold, and sand.
  • Cover the cuttings with plastic or glass and set them in a warm but shaded location.
  • After about two months, the new shoots should appear.
Vibrant purple-green plant in a pot.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @whats_ur_plant

To try propagating from seed, pollinate the flowers and then harvest the seeds in September or October.

Germinate the seeds throughout November and December for sowing in the spring.

Oyster Plant Pests and Diseases

Mealybugs (tiny white bugs on plants) and other pests may appear.

Treat these infestations with insecticide or try washing them away with a spray bottle or hose.

If the leaves appear dead or brown, the plant is likely getting too much of full sun.

Move it to a shadier spot or a window that gets less sunlight.

Neck and root rot is another concern. It occurs when the plant receives too much water and not enough humidity.

Cut back on watering and increase misting with a spray bottle.

NOTE: Handling the oyster plant may cause skin irritation.

Uses For Moses In A Cradle

The dwarf oyster plant doesn’t like high light, making it an excellent option for placing underneath taller plants.

They also look great on their own on a stand, on a shelf in a small pot, or as container plants.

Green plant with purple undertones in a pot.Pin
Photo Credit: Instagram @house_of_flowers_tz

Rhoeos Spathacea is a great plant for hanging baskets, window boxes, and garden ground cover.

For the best results, grow it with others of its kind as grouping multiple plants helps to keep the humidity levels up.