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Bernieh's Garden

Tradescantia spathacea - Moses-in-a-basket

Genus: Tradescantia.

Species: Tradescantia spathacea.

Common name: Moses-in-a-Basket / Boat Lily
Botanic name: Tradescantia Spathacea
Family: Commelinaceae

Rhoeo are short rosette-like plants, growing up to 30cm tall, that characteristically have dark green leaves with purple undersides and small insignificant flowers.

The unusual flowers, borne down among the leaves, appear as clusters of tiny white flowers nestled within two boat-shaped, purplish bracts. They are not noticeable unless you look closely.

Plants are primarily grown for their colour and texture attributes for a landscape.

Widely grown in tropics, subtropics and warm temperate climates. Very easy to grow liking full sun or part shade.
Prefers fertile composted soils, but is known to tolerate less acceptable conditions.

Photos of this plant

  • Moses_in_a_basket
  • Tradescantia_spathacea_or_rhoeo_spathacea_moses_in_a_basket_7