Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily)

Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) purple flower close up with tiny white petals between leaves
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) flower emerging from purple folded bracts near green sword shaped leaves.

Botanical names: Tradescantia spathacea, Rhoeo spathacea, Tradescantia discolor

Common names: Boat lily, Rheo, Oyster plant, Moses-In-The-Boat

Family: Commelinaceae

Origin: West Indies and Mexico

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-12?

USDA Plant Hardiness MapGroundcover and low-growing 2ft plantSemi-shadeShadeFull sunWatering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryOrnamental foliageIrritating plantSeaside, salt tolerant plant

Herb with succulent stems; leaves crowded, flat, stiff, pointed, dark green above, purple to green below; flowers at base of leaves, small, white, 3-parted, held between 2 purple bracts; fruit a capsule. Can be used to make a dense groundcover, as houseplant or in interiorscape. Watery sap can cause contact dermatitis, avoid getting sap on skin.

Similar plants: Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily)


Image gallery: 26 images
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with deep green and purple leaves, close up plant view.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with green and purple leaves close up flower view
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with dense green and purple pointed leaves ground cover
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with magenta and white striped leaves in a close up.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with purple and green sword shaped leaves in silver pot.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with green and purple leaves in close up view.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) magenta bracts with white flower close up in detailed view
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) green white and pink striped leaves plant close up
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with green and purple leaves in a dense ground plant cover.
Tradescantia spathacea with pink and green striped leaves in a close up photo.
T.s. variegata
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with pointed green leaves and purple edges on the foliage.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with pink and green leaves in a small bushy plant.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) yellow green striped leaves close up plant
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with purple green and white striped leaves in a plant group.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with green and purple leaves in a dense ground cover plant.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with purple and green leaves forming a dense ground plant
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with deep purple and green leaves forming a dense plant groundcover.
Tradescantia spathacea plant with purple and white striped leaves in a close up
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with deep purple and green leaves, a dense groundcover plant.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with long narrow green and deep purple pointed leaves
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with yellow and green striped leaves, a dense plant.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with white flowers and green leaves in a close up
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with dense green and purple leaves in a landscape.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) plant with green sword leaves and deep purple undersides growing together.
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with long green sword shaped leaves and small white flowers
Tradescantia spathacea (Boat lily) with green leaves and purple centers in a close up plant.


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/tradescantia_spathacea.htm
About Tropical Plant Encyclopedia · Pictogram Guide·