The Moses in the Cradle plant, scientifically known as Tradescantia spathacea, is also commonly recognized by names like boat lily or oyster plant. This tropical perennial is a popular houseplant due to its striking purple and green foliage and its tendency to readily produce new growth. Fortunately, it is highly amenable to propagation, allowing home growers to easily multiply their collection. This guide details the two most common and successful techniques for creating new plants from an existing mother specimen.
Preparing for Propagation
The best time to attempt propagation is during the active growing season, typically from spring through summer, when the plant has the energy reserves to recover quickly. Gather small pots and a well-draining potting medium, such as a mix of standard soil and perlite or sand. Sterilize shears or a sharp knife with rubbing alcohol to prevent the transfer of pathogens. Always choose a healthy, well-established mother plant that shows no signs of disease or pest infestation.
Propagating Through Offsets
Propagating through offsets, often called pups, is the easiest and most reliable method for the Moses in the Cradle plant. These miniature clones grow around the base of the mother plant, forming dense clusters as the plant matures. To access these pups, carefully remove the entire mother plant from its container, gently shaking off excess soil to expose the connection points and root systems.
Examine the plant’s base to identify pups that have developed their own small, fibrous roots, indicating they are ready for independent life. Using the sterilized knife, cleanly sever the connecting stolon that links the pup to the main stem. Separate the pup while retaining as much of its newly formed root system as possible for rapid establishment.
Transplant the newly separated offset into its own small pot filled with the prepared, well-draining potting mix. Ensure the roots are fully covered and the base of the pup is situated just below the soil line. This method generally results in a higher success rate and a faster-growing new plant compared to rooting stem pieces.
Propagating Through Stem Cuttings
Taking stem cuttings is particularly useful when the mother plant has become long and sparse. Select a healthy stem tip that is about four to six inches long, ensuring it has several sets of leaves. Make a clean, precise cut just below a leaf node, which is the area where root formation is concentrated.
After making the cut, remove the lower two or three leaves from the stem to expose the nodes, as these are the sites that will develop new roots. Leaving the lower leaves intact would cause them to rot and potentially introduce fungal issues. The cutting is now ready for a rooting medium.
One option is to place the cutting directly into moist, well-aerated potting soil, ensuring at least one exposed node is buried beneath the surface. Alternatively, the cutting can be suspended in a container of water, ensuring only the bottom inch of the stem and the exposed nodes are submerged. Direct soil rooting often provides a better transition for the plant, resulting in stronger, more robust roots.
Ensuring Successful Rooting
The newly potted offsets or cuttings require specific care conditions to establish a strong root system. Place the new plants in an area that receives bright, indirect light, as direct sunlight can scorch the tender leaves. Maintaining consistent moisture in the potting medium is important during this initial phase, but avoid waterlogging, which leads to root rot.
A stable temperature range, ideally between 65°F and 75°F (18°C and 24°C), supports root development. Within a few weeks, root formation should begin. Check this by gently tugging on the plant; slight resistance indicates that new roots have anchored themselves into the soil, signaling successful establishment.