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Rhoeo
Tradescantia spathacea
Other Common Names: Moses In The Cradle, Oyster PlantSynonyms: Rhoeo spathacea, Rhoeo discolor
Family: Commelinaceae
Very easy to grow. Grows in shade, in a minimal amount of soil. Somewhat succulent in nature so tolerates drying out between waterings.
Very easy to propagate and create massed displays at very low cost. Fast tropical effects can be achieved by block planting as a groundcover or in containers.
Dwarf forms, including variegated striped varieties are particularly popular in landscaping today.
Unfortunately, this plant grows so easily it has weed potential and has become invasive in Florida, USA. For more information on this issue see the Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG) link below. So take care and never dump waste of this plant (or any plants!) in the bush.
Rhoeo in the Landscape
Dwarf and regular varieties growing side by side, full sun
Regular variety, part shade
Flowers (regular variety)
One of the variegated varieties. This one has pale yellow stripes
Other Information Online
Moses In The Cradle Tradescantia spathacea. At the "Grow Me Instead" website (an Australian website informing gardeners about invasive ornamentals and safer alternatives)
Dwarf Variegated Rhoeo At the "Grow Me Instead" website
Advice on plants undesirable in or near natural areas Townsville City Council. (see notes on Rhoeo)
Oyster-Plant, Rhoeo Tradescantia spathacea Online Manual of Subtropical Landscaping Plants, Palm Beach Community College, Florida
Rhoeo spathacea University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, USA (PDF)
Rhoeo spathacea at Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plants, Florida (PDF)
ISSG Database: Ecology of Tradescantia spathacea Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
Rhoeo spathacea "Moses-in-the-Cradle" University of Oklahoma
Possible Misspellings: Roeo, Rhoio, Rowio
