For a plant with interesting foliage and unusual efflorescence , few can compare toRhoeo spathacea(formerly _ Tradescantia_spathacea),commonly called sauceboat lily orMoses - in - a - cradle plant . Also called huitre plant life , it become its several names from its little white flowers surrounded by special empurpled leaves , called bracts , which make the " boat " or " huitre shell . " Growing as a thick , tardily enlarging clunk , this plant does well outside in warmer clime or grows as a houseplant . Boat lily needs only a bit of special care to become established and is loosely easy to originate and trouble - free .
Getting Started
Boat lily flora tolerates summertime heat well but isfrost tender , growing outdoors class - round of golf in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b through 11 . To use boat lily outdoors as a land cover or in a group planting , go under young industrial plant in the ground at any metre during the growing time of year , leaving18 to 24 inches between plantsto deflect overcrowding .
This plant tolerates any case of garden grunge , provided it’swell - drainingand does n’t stay waterlogged after rain or watering . If your grunge drain slowly , unify in 1 to 2 inch of rough-cut gumption at set to ameliorate its drain .
Boat lily can also grow well in a container , either outdoors or indoors as a houseplant . pick out a flock with at least one drainage hole and habituate any character of commercial potting stain for the container .
Tip
Do n’t use garden grunge for container - planting , because it can harbor pest egg and dope seeds .
Basic Care
A gravy boat lily plant grow outdoors stomach most light experimental condition , but preferspartial Lord’s Day . It also tolerates full shade , but this might slow its growth and lead to fewer blossom . When spring up indoors , the industrial plant prefersmedium to burnished light , such as on the windowsill of a lightly curtain west- or south - front windowpane .
Although the boat lily is quitetolerant of dry conditionsonce build , it ’s good to irrigate a fresh plant in the garden whenever the dirt ’s surface feel juiceless to the touch . Adding a 2- to 3 - inch stratum of bark mulch under the plant life also helps preserve grease moisture and promotes young roots , but keep mulch back a few inches from the flora ’s center to discourage fungal diseases .
For ahouseplant , provide unconstipated pee , usually once every calendar week or two , or whenever the soil find dry to the mite . After lacrimation , allow the pot to drain well and never provide it in a water - filled dish antenna .
Although gravy holder lily does n’t require plant food , you could hike up growth by fertilizing it before you see new growth each spring . utilize a general - intention , balanced formula , such as 20 - 20 - 20 , diluted at a charge per unit of 1/2 teaspoon in 1 congius of water , but also check the recording label for further directions . utilize the fertilizer solution in office of a even lacrimation .
Potential Problems
Boat lily is ordinarily free of serious insect or disease job , but it might developfungal problemsin too wet dirt . Watering at the industrial plant ’s base to keep the leave juiceless and clearing away plant debris on a regular basis helps prevent this .
Warning
plants .
