Stripe Me Pink Moses in the Cradle

Stripe Me Pink Moses in the Cradle (Tradescantia spathacea 'Stripe Me Pink') is a spreading foliage plant with rosettes of sword-shaped leaves striped white and pink above and bright purple beneath. It stays compact at about 50cm tall but spreads to roughly 1m wide, so it covers dry ground quickly. It works as a colourful groundcover in frost-free gardens and as a patio plant in a pot.

Why you'll love it

• Colour without a flowering season. The pink and white stripes over a purple reverse look good every month of the year.
• Drought hardy. Once established it copes with dry spells, which suits rockeries and the dry corners where other groundcovers struggle.
• Fast and spreading. It grows quickly, and congested clumps can be divided and replanted to bring colour to other beds.
• Compact rosettes. The tidy, upright leaves sit neatly in patio containers as well as in the ground.
• Honest about sun. Colour holds best in part shade. In full sun the stripes fade, and a plain purple and green rhoeo is the better pick for a blazing spot.

Where it works best

Groundcover and mass planting. Plant 50cm apart and the rosettes knit together in a couple of seasons, covering bare soil and keeping weeds down.

Rockeries and dry beds. It tolerates dry soil and spreads between rocks, adding warm pink tones to a grey-green planting.

Patio pots. Compact enough for containers on a verandah or courtyard in part shade, or in a bright spot indoors.

Growing Stripe Me Pink Moses in the Cradle in Australia

Position and climate. Part shade holds the colour best. It suits frost-free gardens, which means tropical, subtropical and the milder warm temperate coasts. Frost damages the leaves, so in colder places keep it in a pot that can move under cover.

Soil. Free-draining soil rich in organic matter gives the best growth. Add compost to sandy soils, and in heavy clay plant on a slight mound so the crowns never sit in water.

Water and feed. Mulch after planting and water well until established. After that it is drought hardy and needs little more than a drink in long dry spells. Feed with a controlled release or liquid fertiliser twice a year.

Pruning. No pruning is needed. When clumps get congested, dig them up, divide and replant the pieces. Wear gloves, because the sap can irritate skin, and keep pets from chewing the leaves.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Stripe Me Pink Moses in the Cradle as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly, and also in 140mm pots in packs of 10. Rosette plants like this grow quickly once the roots are into warm soil, with new leaves appearing within a few weeks. Plant promptly and water in well.

The tube is supplied by our grower, so stock comes and goes. If it shows as sold out, the grower has none at the moment: press the notify button on the page and we email you the day it returns.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse groundcover plants
• Plants for rockeries
• Plants for partial shade
• Best groundcovers for shade

Common questions

Why have the stripes faded?

Too much direct sun. Move it, or shade it with taller neighbours, and the pink and white banding returns on new leaves.

Can I grow it in full sun?

It will survive, but the colour suffers. If your spot is full sun all day, a solid purple and green rhoeo is a better match than this striped form.

Is it safe for pets?

No. The sap can irritate skin and mouths, so keep dogs and cats from chewing it and wear gloves when you divide clumps.