Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea) Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Problems
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Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Tradescantia spathacea also called Moses-in-the-Cradle, Moses-in-a-Boat, Cradle Lily or Oyster Plant is one of the popular Tradescantia varieties on account of its ease of care and ability to adapt to a wide range of growing conditions.
Cradle Lily bears small white flowers in purple 'boats' at the base of the lower leaves and hence the common names, 'Moses-in-the-Cradle', 'Boat Lily' and 'Moses-in-a-Boat'. It flowers at any time of the year if grown under good light.
Moses-in-a-Boat is a low-growing plant with a short stem. The leaves are fleshy, sword-shaped, glossy green with purplish-red undersides placing it amongst the purple-leaved plants for the home or office space.
Oyster Plant is a low maintenance, easy-care, compact plant and is one of the best plants for the limited spaces in the home, office and other places.
Botanical name: Tradescantia spathacea
Synonym: Rhoeo spathacea
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Boat Lily, Moses-in-the-Cradle, Moses-in-a-Boat, Cradle Lily, Oyster Plant
Origin
Tradescantia spathacea is native to Mexico, West Indies and Central America.
Varieties
Boat Lily has many new varieties like the spectacular cultivar Rhoeo discolor 'Variegata' which bears foliage that is striped in burgundy, pink, green and cream.
Is Boat Lily Poisonous?
Tradescantia spathacea is mildly toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap causes burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling the plant.
Where to Buy
If you are looking to add Boat Lily to your collection, you may get them online from Amazon (Link to Amazon) or from Etsy (Link to Etsy).
Tradescantia spathacea Care Indoors
Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea) grows best in bright indirect light, average warmth of 18-270C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Tradescantia spathacea requires repotting only when extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, to reduce pest and disease infestations, to encourage a bushy, compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.
Watering
Water Boat Lily thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings and maintain the soil moderately moist.
Cut down on watering in cold season to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Boat Lily requires an average warmth of 18-270C with a minimum of 130C to thrive. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth. It is not a cold hardy plant.
Boat Lily has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% is adequate for this Plant. However, where the room temperatures are too high leading to too low humidity may result in brown, shrivelled leaf tips. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity.
Occasionally clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Ascertain that there is proper circulation to minimize fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Boat Lily grows best in bright indirect light (filtered light). Keep it away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves. It can grow in semi-shade (partial shade) but the growth will be slower.
Oyster Plant can be grown under a grow light where the natural light is not adequate. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.
Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Fertilizer
Feed Boat Lily with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period for lush growth. Do not feed in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn and death of the plant.
Regularly, flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage holets. Let it run for a few minutes and repeat the process several times.
Potting Mix
The best potting mix for Boat Lily should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for the plant.
Repotting
Repot Boat Lily during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound. Use a pot one size larger than the current one and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.
Pruning
Pruning Boat Lily involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cutback leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.
Propagation
Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea) can be propagated during the growing period by plants divison or from stem-cuttings.
How to propagate Boat Lily by plant division
Water the Boat Lily thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.
Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.
Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.
Fill the pot with free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.
Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.
Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Oyster Plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.
How to propagate Boat Lily from stem cuttings
The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting from a healthy Boat Lily of about 4-6 inches and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves. Strip off the lower leaves.
Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.
Once callused, insert the cuttings in moist, free-draining and place in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.
Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges and there is substantial growth.
Transfer the rooted Tradescantia spathacea stem cuttings into individual pots and begin routine care.
Tradescantia spathacea Problems with Remedies
Boat Lily (Tradescantia spathacea) problems include leggy growth, shrivelled leaf tips, yellowing leaves, lack of blooms, plant dying, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.
Plant dying
Boat Lily is dying due to root-rot disease which is promoted by soggy soil. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Decrease watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.
Diseases
Boat Lily is prone to leaf spot disease. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat the plant for the disease.
Pests
Common pests which attack Boat Lily are mealy bugs, aphids and scales. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.
Brown and shrivelled leaf tips
Brown and shrivelled leaf tips in Boat Lily is due to too dry air especially where the temperatures are too high. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray, use a cool mist humidifier or grow the plant in the humid areas of the home. Check out these techniques on how to increase humidity for houseplants.
Yellow and spotted leaves
Yellow and spotted leaves in Boat Lily are caused by underwatering. This results in too little moisture in the soil. Underwatering means that there is not enough water in the soil for the plant to take up. As such, the leaves begin to turn yellow and die.
Water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings maintain the soil moderately moist through out. Lessen watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.
Lack of blooms
Boat Lily will not produce the white flowers where the light is too low (inadequate light). Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
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