Rhoeo Spathacea compacta: Plant description, Growing tips & Uses

                              Rhoeo Spathacea compacta

Rhoeo Spathacea compacta is also known as Moses-in-a-basket, Tradescantia spathacea, the boat lily, moses-in-the-cradle, boat lily and oyster plant. The plant is widely grown all round the world as a houseplant.It is a quick growing plant. It grows to about 9" tall.It has tough, waxy, dark green leaves.It produces small white flowers that are surrounded with two purple bracts making it look like a miniature.These plants are a succulent herb.If you wish to enjoy the beauty of Rhoeos, you can either plant them in a container or you can try planting them under trees.

Common name:Oyster Plant

Botanical name: Rhoeo spathacea compacta

Family : Commelinaceae

Life cycle: Perennial

Plant height : 0.50 to 1.00 feet

Leaf Colour: Green

Flower Colour: White with blue blush

Temperature: 10 to 15 degrees

Light: Full sun/ half sun

Soil: well-drained soil

Climate : Tropical, subtropical

Advantage: Easy to grow

 Growing Tips:

These plants are very easy to grow.

For a healthy and strong root system watering schedules must be consistent and ways of watering are different in winter and in summer.

Soil must be well-drained for these plants.

Watering must be done once in a week and it must be done deeply and slowly so that the water passes deep down to the roots.In the summer months the top soil must be dried out between two waterings while the bottom soil must not be dried out and in extreme heat, watering must be done more.In winter the soil must be allowed to dry up completely between waterings.

Fertilize the plant around 3 to 4 times in a year with liquid fertilizers. As it is a flowering plant, the plant has higher needs.

Uses:

• As a houseplant, grow in hanging baskets or along shelves it forms an excellent ground cover looks.
• The plant is used for ornamental purpose.
• Leaf extacts can cure fever, cough and bronchitis.