Reo (Rhoeo) - home care

Latin name: (Rhoeo)

Category: herbaceous shrubs

Origin: America, Africa, Antilles

Colorful and striking Rhoeo

Rhoeo is a bright, decorative herbaceous plant from the Commelinaceae family, which some sources classify as part of the Tradescantia genus. There is also the opinion that it is an independent genus, Rhoeo.

This tropical exotic, which amazes with the beauty of its charming, multicolored leaves, has close relatives such as zebrina and Tradescantia.

The native growing area of Rhoeo is Central and South America, as well as Africa. This unpretentious plant prefers tropical humid forests, riverbanks, and slopes of rocky mountains. The indoor plant with its green-burgundy leaves is often seen next to the undemanding Cyperus, Sansevieria, and the original beauty Dracaena.

Rhoeo description: a herbaceous perennial plant, up to forty centimeters in height. A fleshy, short, straight stem serves as the basis for lateral shoots and large, sword-shaped, dense, horizontally arranged leaves. The upper side of the leaves is emerald green, with a slight striping, and the lower side is purple-red. Red-orange hairs make the leaves very decorative.

Rhoeo blooms regardless of the season with small, white flowers, arranged in inflorescences-boats with two bracts. This is why the plant is also called Moses' boat. Rhoeo has been cultivated in home conditions for a long time for its beautiful, multicolored leaves. This exotic plant will be an excellent decoration for any interior.

Rhoeo owes its name to a forest nymph who saved a child floating in a boat on the Nile River. This is also where other names came from: Moses in a basket, Moses' boat, cradle of Jesus.

Rhoeo species

The most famous of these are the varieties of this exotic indoor plant.

Rhoeo discolor Stripe in Pink

Common in all territories of the Earth. Very colorful and bright, unpretentious, but requires good lighting. This dwarf indoor plant has an original striped leaf pattern. The slightly silvery upper side of the leaf is decorated with pink stripes, and the lower side has a bright lilac-pink hue. The cradle of Jesus has snow-white miniature flowers.

Rhoeo discolor Vittata

A highly decorative variety of small size with surprisingly colorful striped leaves. The unique combination of yellow and green parallel stripes on the front of the leaf and the purple underside makes it charming.

Rhoeo discolor Compacta

It has luxurious bushes, thanks to its bright purple-green leaves.

Rhoeo Hawaiian Dwarf

The Hawaiian dwarf has an original variegated light emerald green leaf. Its edges are bordered with white stripes. The reverse side of the leaf is purple. During flowering, the plant emits a wonderful aroma.

Rhoeo "Sitara Gold"

This is a new variety of plant with warm yellow-olive leaves. Asymmetrical greenish stripes give the plant special decorativeness. In general, this cradle of Jesus resembles tongues of flame. It looks beautiful in office spaces next to plants with green leaves, such as Anthurium, Spathiphyllum.

Rhoeo flower care in the home

It is very easy to grow an indoor Rhoeo plant at home or in the office. It needs a lot of light, a little warmth, and normal air humidity. If all the plant's needs are met as closely as possible to its natural environment, you can enjoy lush and colorful vegetation.

Choosing a location and temperature regime

Rhoeo can be placed in the home on east or west windowsills. From the south side, it is necessary to shade the bright sunlight, and in the north, Moses' boat will have a pale and elongated appearance.

Rhoeo does not like cold, heat, and drafts. It is desirable to maintain a temperature slightly above 13˚C in winter and up to 25˚C in summer.

Watering and air humidity

We water our Moses' boat with the onset of warmth every three days, maintaining a slightly moist state of the soil. With the onset of cold weather, we reduce watering, and in winter we water as the soil dries out.

Rhoeo does not make high demands on air humidity, it prefers summer spraying at least every other day. It is not desirable to spray the flowering plant so as not to damage the flowers. During the heating period, do not place it near hot radiators. For all procedures, it is necessary to use soft, warm, settled water. The grateful plant will delight you with the appearance of new, strong shoots, bright, colorful leaves, and regular flowering.

Rhoeo transplant and suitable soil

Annual spring transplanting of young plants into wide pots is essential. More mature specimens are transplanted after five years, renewing them with young cuttings. The bottom of the pot is covered with a good layer of drainage to prevent excess water in the pot.

The substrate should be loose and breathable. You can buy a soil mixture for leafy plants in the store. Self-prepared substrate should have the following composition: leaf, sod, peat soil, and sand. Take all the ingredients in equal parts.

Rhoeo propagation

How can Rhoeo be propagated at home? This is the question that arises for flower growers. This responsible moment in the life of the plant is carried out in the spring. Young cuttings can be rooted in moist peat-sand mixture with subsequent transplanting to a permanent location.

Rhoeo can also be propagated by division of the bush. We create conditions for a mini-greenhouse and water abundantly. We get a positive result.

With seed propagation, you can lose the varietal qualities of the plant.

Feeding

To stimulate plant growth in the warm season, it is necessary to feed the cradle of Jesus with liquid complex fertilizer in half the norm.

Rhoeo diseases and pests

Scale insects or spider mites can harm Tradescantia Rhoeo. Excess moisture can lead to negative consequences such as powdery mildew or gray rot. When such problems are detected, immediately apply insecticides.

Difficult moments in growing Rhoeo

• Why do the tips of the leaves dry out on Rhoeo? It is too dry and hot in the room, perhaps the plant needs watering.
• The leaves lose their color or turn yellow, and its growth slows down - there is too much light.
• The stems are elongated, the leaves are not densely arranged, and the variegated ones turn completely green - there is not enough light.
• Young leaves are small and pale - feeding is needed.
• The leaves are drooping and soft - it is too cold in the room or the humidity is too high.

We have considered the main points of how to care for a Rhoeo flower at home. Thanks to this beautiful indoor plant, you can diversify the atmosphere of any room, decorate it, and inspire creativity.