Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) Tradescantia spathacea
Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) (Tradescantia spathacea) is an evergreen perennial groundcover in the Commelinaceae family, native to Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It grows 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
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Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) at a glance
| Type | Perennial groundcover, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Commelinaceae |
| Mature height | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 26–52 weeks after planting, for 13–26 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Mexico, Belize and Guatemala |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇦🇺 Australia |
| Invasive in | Florida, Hawaii, Pacific islands: check local rules before planting |
Is Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: sap
The sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth (calcium oxalate and other irritants).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
Questions about Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant)
- How far apart should I plant Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) flower?
- About 26–52 weeks after planting, for 13–26 weeks.
- Is Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. The sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth (calcium oxalate and other irritants).
- What grows well with Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Moses-in-the-cradle (oyster plant). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
Notes and assumptions
- Rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves, dark green above and rich purple beneath; small white flowers sit in purple boat-shaped bracts at the base, like a baby in a cradle. A tough edging plant in the tropics that self-seeds into wild areas.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Inch plant (silver inch plant, wandering dude) Tradescantia zebrina
- Ohio spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis
- Creeping thyme Thymus serpyllum
- Hosta Hosta spp.
- Lamb's ear Stachys byzantina
- Stonecrop (sedum) Hylotelephium spectabile
- Sweet woodruff Galium odoratum
- Lady's mantle Alchemilla mollis