Moses-in-the-cradle

Tradescantia spathacea

Moses-in-the-cradle is a beautiful plant with green leaves and purple flowers. It loves to grow in warm places and can be found in many gardens and homes.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The Moses-in-the-cradle has striking, sword-shaped leaves that are dark green on top and vibrant purple underneath. Its small, white or pinkish flowers are nestled within unique boat-shaped purple bracts, resembling tiny cradles.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderCommelinalesFamilyCommelinaceaeGenusTradescantia

Photo: Jim ConradPublic domain · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Moses-in-the-cradle

Interesting facts

Its purple sap was once used as a natural dye for cloth!

More sunlight makes its leaves turn an even brighter, richer purple color!

New plants can sprout easily from just a leaf or stem cutting!

Some call it 'oyster plant' because its flower bracts look like tiny shells!

Special abilities

Its purple leaf undersides contain pigments that protect the plant from too much intense sunlight.

The unique boat-shaped bracts act like a cradle, protecting its tiny, delicate flowers as they grow.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-30 cm
Spread: 15-30 cm
Flower Size: 1-2 cm
Bloom Season: Year-round
Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

Pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

Bees visit its small, hidden flowers for nectar.

Eaten by

Garden snail

Helix aspersa

Snails sometimes munch on its succulent leaves.

Eaten by

Two-spotted spider mite

Tetranychus urticae

Tiny mites can sometimes feed on its leaves.

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Evergreen

Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Rapid Growing

Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.

Urban Friendly

This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.

Also known as

Boat Lily

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always wash your hands after touching plants, just in case.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Moses-in-the-cradle?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is Moses-in-the-cradle?

15-30 cm

How wide does Moses-in-the-cradle spread?

15-30 cm

How big are the flowers on Moses-in-the-cradle?

1-2 cm

When does Moses-in-the-cradle bloom?

Year-round

Is Moses-in-the-cradle edible?

Is Moses-in-the-cradle toxic?

Mild

What is Moses-in-the-cradle's lifecycle?