Care & Planting of Rhoeo Spathacia
Rhoeo spathacea, more commonly known as Moses in the Cradle, is a fleshy rhizomatous herb native to Mexico that is often used as a fast-growing groundcover in warm climates such as U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 9b through 11. A low-maintenance landscaping plant, Rhoeo spathacea thrives with little to no special care. Thoughtful site selection, planting practices and care are all essential to ensuring the long term health of your Rhoeo spathacea. Does this Spark an idea?
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Site Selection
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Rhoeo spathacea is a versatile landscape plant that can be grown successfully in partial to full sun locations that receive four to eight hours of bright sun each day. Rhoeo spathacea grown in shaded locations will survive, but without adequate sunlight they will be unable to produce their characteristic small white blossoms. When selecting a planting location, look for a site that also offers well-draining soil; Rhoeo spathacea is susceptible to a number of foliage and root problems when grown in consistently wet soil.
Planting
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Rhoeo spathacea demands soil with good drainage; fortunately, unsuitable soils can be amended to make them more hospitable. Top poorly draining soils with a 2-inch layer of equal parts perlite and coarse builder's sand; till the amendments into the soil until they are evenly distributed. Dig a planting hole for Rhoeoe spathacea that is comparable to the width and depth of its nursery container. Position the Rhoeo spathacea in the planting hole, as desired and fill the hole with the amended soil. Water Rhoeo spathacea immediately after planting to help settle the surrounding soil.
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Care
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Rhoeo spathacea requires very little special care and can often be seen growing through cracks in concrete walls and sidewalks in its native climate. Though drought-tolerant, this plant appreciates being watered weekly during the hot, dry summer months. Fertilize Rhoeo spathacea with a balanced, water soluble plant fertilizer monthly from spring through summer to promote healthy and hearty growth; withhold fertilizer in the fall and winter months when the plant is not actively growing.
Propagation
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Rhoeo spathacea is such an attractive and easy to care for plant that you may find yourself wanting more than just one in your garden or home landscape. Luckily, you can easily propagate Rhoeo spathacea by seed and division. To propagate it by seed, harvest the seeds from the plant's purple, boat-shaped bracts in the fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up your Rhoeo spathacea in the spring and use a sharp and sterile gardening knife to separate the clumps of the root ball.
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