Description
Moses in the Cradle, Sitara’s Gold (Tradescantia spathacea) is a compact tropical foliage plant with striking yellow-and-green striped, sword-shaped leaves. Clumps usually reach about 12 inches tall. Its small white flowers can appear within distinctive boat-shaped bracts, but the bright variegated foliage is the main attraction. Use it as a colorful accent in patio containers or as a houseplant.
For Alabama growing conditions, provide bright filtered light or mild morning sun; shield the leaves from intense afternoon sun. Use a fertile, freely draining potting mix, water when the top of the soil begins to dry, and never allow the pot to sit in water. Light feeding during the warm growing season is sufficient. Sitara’s Gold is frost-tender, generally suited to Zones 9–11 outdoors, so move pots inside before a freeze and keep them in a bright, protected location over winter.
