{"product_id":"dwarf-moses-in-the-cradle-tradescantia-spathacea-dwarf","title":"Dwarf Moses in the Cradle - Tradescantia spathacea 'Dwarf'","description":"\u003cp\u003eDwarf Moses in the Cradle (\u003cem\u003eTradescantia spathacea\u003c\/em\u003e 'Dwarf') is a tough, clumping foliage plant that forms a colony of upright rosettes, each about 30cm high and 30cm wide. The sword shaped leaves are deep green on top and deep purple underneath, so the colour glows where light shines through them. It clumps up quickly, shrugs off dry ground and is easy to divide for more plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTwo-tone foliage.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep green above and deep purple below gives rich contrast, especially where the sun catches the leaves from behind.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClumps up fast.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is fast growing and sends up new rosettes, so a few plants soon become a colony.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDrought hardy.\u003c\/strong\u003e Once established it copes with dry spots, rockeries and the dry ground beneath trees.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun or part shade.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is happy from full sun to part shade, so it fits many parts of the garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree new plants.\u003c\/strong\u003e The pups can be lifted and replanted to spread contrasting colour elsewhere.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGroundcover for dry areas.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant 30cm apart for a dense groundcover that closes over the soil within a few seasons. It suits dry banks and gravel gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and accents.\u003c\/strong\u003e Use clumps as accents among rocks, where the purple underside of the leaves stands out against stone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderplanting and mass planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant under trees and tall shrubs, or in drifts along a border, where its upright rosettes add structure at ground level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and patios.\u003c\/strong\u003e A patio container shows it off well. Place it where light can shine through the leaves for the strongest colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Dwarf Moses in the Cradle in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade; plant it where the light shines through the leaves for the richest colour. It is a plant for warm gardens, suited to tropical, subtropical and frost free warm temperate climates, because frost damages the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant in free draining soil rich in organic matter, which suits both garden beds and pots.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e It grows fast, so mulch and water it well until established. After that it is drought hardy and needs water only in prolonged dry spells. Feed with a controlled release or liquid fertiliser twice a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Little pruning is needed. Lift and replant the pups wherever a splash of contrasting colour is wanted, and remove any tatty outer leaves. Wear gloves when you divide the clumps, because the sap can irritate skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Dwarf Moses in the Cradle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, in 140mm pots in packs of 10 and in 200mm pots in packs of 6. Tubes are the economical choice for a large groundcover planting, while the potted packs give a fuller look at once. Expect a small rosette that bulks up into a clump as the weather warms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/groundcover\"\u003eBrowse groundcovers\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/drought-tolerant-plants\"\u003eDrought tolerant plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/grasses-and-strappy-leaf\"\u003eGrasses and strappy leaf plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/top-plants-for-ground-cover-a-guide-to-greenery\"\u003eA guide to groundcover plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should I plant it as a groundcover?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant 30cm apart. Each rosette is about 30cm wide and sends out pups, so the gaps close up as the colony grows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it need full sun?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It takes full sun to part shade, but the foliage colour is strongest where light shines through the leaves, so avoid deep shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe to handle and around pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWear gloves when dividing it, because the sap can irritate skin. Keep it away from pets that chew plants.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube","offer_id":67789629817151,"sku":"TRA-SPA-DWARF-tube","price":11.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":67789629849919,"sku":"TRA-SPA-DWARF-140MM-P10","price":152.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":67789629882687,"sku":"TRA-SPA-DWARF-200MM-P6","price":261.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/dwarf-moses-in-the-cradle-tradescantia-spathacea-dwarf.jpg?v=1792191977","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/products\/dwarf-moses-in-the-cradle-tradescantia-spathacea-dwarf","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}