The Colorful Succulent With Pretty Flowers That Thrives When Grown Indoors

When you're looking for your next houseplant, there are several reasons to choose a succulent. For one, they can be quite easy to grow once you learn about their specific needs. There are also a variety of species with plenty of unique appearances to choose from, and this colorful flowering succulent is no exception.

Also known as the boat lily or oyster plant, Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) is a stunning succulent that thrives in indoor conditions. It does well when grown in a container, and, unlike many other succulents that need blazing sunlight to grow, Moses-in-the-cradle prefers a little shade through the hottest parts of the day. It features eye-catching dark green foliage with purple undersides, as well as charming tiny white flowers that can bloom year-round in cradle- or boat-shaped leaflike structures called bracts. 

Part of successfully growing any succulent is knowing its optimal care routine. When you're caring for succulents inside your house, there are a few key factors to take into consideration: hydration, sunlight, and temperature. If that sounds intimidating, don't worry — while this plant does prefer certain conditions, Moses-in-the-cradle is overall easy to grow.

Moses-in-the-cradle is drought tolerant, but that doesn't mean its watering can be neglected. This colorful succulent prefers moist soil, but to water your succulent for the best success, the soil needs to be well-draining since too much moisture can lead to root rot.Don't water your Moses-in-the-cradle until the top inch or two of its soil is dry, and water it less frequently from fall to late winter.

As far as sunlight goes, Moses-in-the-cradle does best with either full sun or partial shade conditions. This means spending at least part of the day in bright, indirect light; be cautious to avoid direct sunlight, which could lead to leaf damage. Your best bet for meeting these lighting needs is to place your plant in an east- or north-facing window. The amount of sunlight your Moses-in-the-cradle receives will affect its coloration — if it's not getting enough sun, the colorful pop of purple under its leaves may fade back to green.

When growing Moses-in-the-cradle indoors, temperature often isn't a problem considering this plant's ideal range is between 64 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Just be sure not to let the temperature get below 55 degrees, since this can stunt your plant's growth. Moses-in-the-cradle is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations, so when placed in windows or near vents, keep an eye out for the signs your plant has draft damage.