Rampart Farmstead · Southwest Florida
Rhoeo Plant
Also called Moses-in-the-Cradle — a bold, easy tropical grown in both bi-color and tri-color forms that thrive in southwest Florida's heat and humidity.
Two Forms
Bi-Color & Tri-Color
Bi-Color
The classic
The traditional Rhoeo spathacea, with glossy green leaves on top and rich, deep purple underneath. Bold, reliable, and striking in mass plantings or as a solo accent. Boat-shaped bracts cradle tiny white flowers — the "Moses in the cradle" that gives the plant its common name.
ColoringGreen tops, purple undersides
Tri-Color
The variegated showpiece
Rhoeo spathacea 'Tricolor' adds cream, pink, and lavender striping to the green and purple, creating a soft, watercolor effect. Slightly more delicate than the bi-color and benefits from a touch more shade, but rewards with luminous foliage that glows in morning light.
ColoringGreen, cream, pink & purple stripes
Growing Guide
Growing in Southwest Florida
Rhoeo is one of the most dependable, low-maintenance tropicals for our climate — both forms flourish here with very little fuss.
Planting
Plant in well-draining soil — Rhoeo dislikes soggy roots. Space 12–18 inches apart for a groundcover effect, or tuck single plants into beds, borders, and containers. It establishes quickly from transplants or divisions.
Sun & Shade
Bright, indirect light to partial sun is ideal. Full sun deepens the purple and tightens the growth, but in southwest Florida's intense summer, light afternoon shade keeps both varieties lush. Tri-color shows its best color in bright filtered light.
Watering
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Rhoeo is moderately drought-tolerant once established but looks its best with consistent, moderate moisture. Containers dry out faster — check every few days in hot weather.
Temperature
A tropical perennial that loves southwest Florida's warmth and humidity. It thrives year-round outdoors here. A hard freeze will damage the foliage, but established plants usually regrow from the base; cover or move containers during rare cold snaps.
Maintenance
Low care. Remove spent lower leaves to keep plants tidy and divide clumps every couple of years to rejuvenate growth. Rhoeo rarely needs fertilizer — a light feeding in spring is plenty for healthy, colorful foliage.
Design Uses
Use Rhoeo as a bold border edging, a textural groundcover under taller plants, or a dramatic container specimen. The purple undersides catch the light when leaves arch, making it a standout in any southwest Florida landscape.
A Note on Climate
A Tropical That Belongs Here
Rhoeo is native to the tropical Americas and is perfectly suited to southwest Florida. It asks for little — well-drained soil, bright light, and occasional water — and gives back year-round color and texture. Plant the bold bi-color for drama or the luminous tri-color for a softer, painterly touch; either way, you'll have a reliable, beautiful addition that handles our heat and humidity with ease.
Back to Featured Items