Lifestyle

Important Things to Keep In Mind About Moses in the Cradle Care

The botanical name of Moses-in-the-cradle is Tradescantia spathacea. It is a popular house plant, especially for new plant parents. A major reason behind the massive popularity of Moses-in-the-cradle is that Moses in the cradle care is an easy process. Moreover, the dark-green leaves with purplish-red undersides add impressive colors to the environment. 

These plants can enjoy optimum growth indoors. However, if you are moving Moses from the cradle to outdoors during the summer, you should keep it away from the direct sun to avoid damage to the plant. It is also important to check the soil after a few days to ensure the soil is not drying out. 

Following are the most important Moses in the cradle care tips that you should keep in mind to ensure the plant is grown and maintained in the best conditions. 

Sunlight

One of the most important Moses in the cradle care tips is that you should keep it away from direct sunlight. The plant will enjoy optimum growth in bright, indirect light throughout the year to obtain good leaves color and flowers. Moreover, it can also tolerate lower light levels, but it will turn the leaves purple instead of green. 

Water

The soil of Moses in the cradle should be slightly moist from spring to fall. However, during the colder months, you should allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Overwatering can be an issue for Moses in the cradle as its stems can become soft and limp, leading to root rot. It is important to prevent soggy soil by using a pot with drainage holes. 

Humidity

Moses in the cradle requires moderate humidity. However, the indoor air can be too tried during the winter, due to which you might see brown leaf tips on these plants. Therefore, it is important to maintain good humidity levels for the proper growth of Moses in the cradle by using a humidifier or a humidity tray. 

Soil and Fertilizer

A good-quality, all-purpose potting mix is the best kind of soil for Moses in the cradle. You should also feed the plant on a monthly basis with a balanced houseplant fertilizer during the spring and summer months because these months are the optimum growth period for these plants. 

Temperature

Moses in the cradle requires a normal room temperature of around 18 to 27°C. It is also capable of tolerating a low temperature of around 13°C, but you should always try to keep the temperature in the recommended range. Keep in mind that Moses in the cradle must be kept away from the heating and air conditioning vents to ensure it does not get damaged from extreme and fluctuating temperatures. 

Propagation

The propagation of Moses in the cradle is also an easy procedure. All you have to do is remove the offshoots that are growing around the plant with some roots and pot them separately. Spring is the most suitable time to propagate Moses in the cradle because, during this period, the plant will be enjoying optimum growth. 

Common Issues

Generally, Moses in the cradle care is an easy process. Yet, there are some common issues associated with this plant. Keep reading the following tips to resolve such issues:

Lack of Flowers

If there are no flowers on Moses in the cradle, there is a very high chance that it is not getting enough sunlight. Hence, you should grow the plant in bright, indirect light throughout the year to ensure proper blooming. 

Brown Leaf

The brown leaves of Moses in the cradle are typically due to dry air. In this case, you should increase the humidity during the winter by misting the foliage or investing in a room humidifier. Another affordable solution for maintaining proper humidity is by placing the pot on a tray of wet pebbles. 

Repotting

Spring is the most suitable season to repot Moses in the cradle. You should report the plant when it becomes crowded after a few years. The new pot should be about one size larger than the previous pot to ensure there is sufficient room for the plant to grow. Moreover, you should be using a pot with drainage holes to prevent soggy soil that can lead to root rot. 

Pests

You have to pay special attention to make sure pests are not attacking Moses in the cradle. Spider mites can suck the plant juices and lead to dried leaves. Similarly, aphids can attack the newly growing plant and adversely affect its growth. 

You can identify these issues by ensuring there is no webbing between the leaves or sticky residue left on the leaves by aphids. If any of your houseplants are affected by the pest, you should immediately move it away from other plants to prevent further infection. 

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Moses in the cradle care is an easy procedure if you keep these tips in mind and pay attention to a few significant signs like leaves color that indicate the overall health of the plant. By following these tips, you will be able to ensure the optimum growth of Moses in the cradle. 

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