Rhoeo – Tradescantia Spathacea

Buy the Rhoeo (Tradescantia spathacea) in Dubai & UAE — a hardy, colourful groundcover plant known as Moses-in-the-Cradle or Boat Lily, with striking sword-shaped leaves that are glossy green above and rich purple beneath. Discover more in our ground cover plants collection, or browse the full outdoor plants range.

Why Grow Rhoeo in the UAE

Rhoeo is a workhorse landscaping plant in the UAE, forming dense, low-maintenance colour borders and mass plantings that tolerate heat and poor soils. Its two-tone foliage provides year-round contrast, making it a favourite for edging, ground cover, and container displays in gardens and public landscapes.

Key Benefits

• Bold two-tone foliage: green above, purple beneath.
• Excellent low-maintenance groundcover and border edging.
• Tolerates heat, sun, and poor soils.
• Forms dense clumps that suppress weeds.
• Great in mass plantings, rockeries, and containers.

Care Tips for the UAE

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade; richer purple colour develops in good light.
• Watering: Moderate watering; quite drought-tolerant once established.
• Soil: Adaptable to most well-draining soils.
• Feeding: Light feeding a couple of times a year is enough.
• Maintenance: Trim back occasionally to keep plantings dense and tidy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Moses-in-the-Cradle? Its small white flowers sit nestled within boat-shaped bracts, giving rise to the common names Moses-in-the-Cradle and Boat Lily.

Is Rhoeo good for ground cover? Yes, it forms dense, colourful clumps that make excellent low-maintenance ground cover and edging.

Does it need much water? No, it is quite drought-tolerant once established and thrives in UAE heat.

Do you deliver across the UAE? Yes, Souq Garden delivers across the UAE with free delivery on orders over AED 200.