Ellen

Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’

Moses-in-the-cradle

Patch Rewards

Earnpoints

Earn 1 point for every £1 spent

Sign up

• Ellen likes...

  • 

    Ellen likes Light watering

    Ellen’s not a big drinker. If the top two inches of her soil feel dry it’s time for a drink. She’ll’ll forgive irregular watering.

  • 

    Ellen likes Bright light

    She’ll be ok in medium light, but she’ll be really happy in quite a sunny spot. She’s not one for shade.

  • 

    Ellen likes Humidity

    Ellen loves moisture in the air. She’ll enjoy a bright bathroom or a spot in the kitchen.

• Quick facts

  Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’

  Nickname

  Moses-in-the-cradle

  Plant type

  Indoor evergreen

  Plant height (including pot)

  10-20cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Mildly toxic if ingested

  Nursery pot size

  5.5cm

• About Tradescantia ‘Sweetness’

  If you want to introduce a pop of contrast colour to your houseplant collection, a Tradescantia is the perfect option. This compact version is similar to our Emma, with slightly different variegation, combining attractive stripes of green, cream and a gorgeous pinky-purple. Its mini-size makes it perfect for windowsills, desktops, shelves and terrariums. 

  Native to Belize, Guatemala and Mexico, Tradescantia have become popular houseplants all over the world because they’re so easy to care for (bright light; regular watering; done). In spring and summer, give yours a feed with liquid fertiliser to help it grow big(ish) and strong. Pot it into a larger nursery pot into a nutrient-rich, free-draining jungle potting mix if you want it to grow bigger. And if you ever want to trim back its stems as they grow longer, just snip them back with secateurs or clean scissors.

  In its mini-version, this plant is easier watered from the bottom by sitting it in the sink or a small saucer of room temperature water. This will prevent the leaves getting wet which, because they’re so densely packed together, can easily cause rot and fungal growth. 

  Did you know?

  The tiny white flowers of Tradescantia are the source of its popular name, Moses-in-the-cradle. We personally think this cultivar’s name, ‘Sweetness’ is much more appropriate.