Oyster Plant

Tradescantia spathacea goes by a few familiar names: Moses in the Cradle, Moses in a Boat, Boat Lily, or Oyster Plant. These names do a great job of describing the way the flowers are cradled inside the leaf joints. The multi-colored leaves add to the year-round interest of this easy-to-grow houseplant.

Best Locations For Growing Oyster Plant

Place Oyster Plant on a table or low shelf as a specimen plant. Average room temperature (65-80 degrees F) and humidity is just fine for this adaptable plant. USDA zones 9-11 can grow this plant outdoors as a ground cover in partial sun to partial shade. All parts of this plant are toxic to pets and humans.

Oyster Plant Sunlight Requirements

Bright indirect light in a south-facing room is perfect and will help keep this plant’s color vibrant. East and west-facing windows are also good places to grow Oyster Plant.

Oyster Plant Care

Oyster Plant is easy to grow and requires little in the way of regular maintenance. Plant this houseplant in loose indoor potting soil with perlite or vermiculite added for good drainage. Do not place the pot in front of drafty windows or doors, and keep the plant away from heating and air conditioning vents.

Watering Oyster Plant

The soil should stay lightly moist between waterings during the summer. Depending on humidity, watering may need to be done 2-3 times a week in the summer. Oyster Plant is semi-dormant in the winter, and the roots do not need as much moisture. Water once weekly in the winter, when the top 2-3 inches of soil have dried out.

Feeding Oyster Plant

Fertilizing is only needed during the spring and summer. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month in place of regular watering. Be careful not to get fertilizer on the leaves, which can quickly burn.