Moses-in-the-Cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) is a stunning tropical plant with bold rosette growth, deep green leaves, and vibrant purple undersides that make it pop in any indoor garden. In this spotlight, see what makes Tradescantia spathacea so unique, and why it’s such an eye-catching plant to add to your collection.
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Today we have a plant spotlight for this gorgeous Tradescantia spathacea, commonly known as Moses-in-the-cradle. I have a plant care video for this plant which is linked below. This video is to spotlight this gorgeous plant so that you can take a good look at it and think about adding it to your plant collection — which I would highly recommend.
Moses-in-the-cradle is native to Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala. This striking plant is known for its distinctive rosette growth pattern and for forming leaves that create a sort of cradle around the little white flowers that the plant produces. I’m going to zoom in here so you can take a really good look at some of those flowers. They’re little white flowers — they start out with a purple bloom and then open to a white flower. You can see the purple blooms and the white flower; here’s another flower as well. You can also see how the flowers are cradled within the leaves — hence the common name “Moses-in-the-cradle.”
This plant was formerly known as Rhoeo spathacea and it’s still sometimes sold under that name. There are several varieties of Tradescantia; some have more cradle-shaped leaves than others. The leaves are generally dark green with vibrant purple edging and undersides. On this specimen you can see the underside is a very pretty purple. It makes an especially eye-catching addition to the indoor garden because of all of these attributes.
As mentioned, the plant also flowers, which is a fun extra. Tradescantia spathacea was first described in 1788. All these years later, it is a widely cultivated houseplant known throughout the world. It has naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions such as parts of Florida, Texas, and Hawaii. In the U.S. and elsewhere, the plant has been used in Mexico and Southeast Asia for traditional medicinal purposes, including treatment for colds, sore throats, and dysentery. T. spathacea has also been studied for antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
So, there you go — a little history about this lovely plant, Moses-in-the-cradle (aka Tradescantia spathacea). Now go out and get one if you can find one, and you will be a happy camper.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Tradescantia spathacea (Moses-in-the-cradle)
What is Moses-in-the-cradle?
Moses-in-the-cradle is the common name for Tradescantia spathacea (formerly sold as Rhoeo spathacea), a rosette-forming houseplant known for purple undersides and small white flowers cradled by the leaves.
Where is Tradescantia spathacea native to?
It is native to parts of Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, and has naturalized in tropical and subtropical regions such as Florida, Texas, and Hawaii.
What are the notable varieties and leaf features?
Several Tradescantia varieties exist; some show more pronounced cradle-shaped leaves. Leaves are typically dark green with vibrant purple undersides and edging, making the plant visually striking indoors.
Does Moses-in-the-cradle flower and what do the flowers look like?
Yes. The plant produces small flowers that begin with a purple bloom and open to a tiny white flower, often cradled within the plant’s leaves.
Has this plant been used medicinally or studied scientifically?
Yes. In traditional medicine (Mexico and Southeast Asia) it’s been used for ailments like colds and sore throats. The species has also been studied for antimicrobial and anti-cancer properties.
When was Tradescantia spathacea first described?
Tradescantia spathacea was first formally described in 1788 and remains a widely cultivated and appreciated houseplant today.
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