Question

unknown plant   A friend recently gave me this plant it is really pretty and I'd like to research the plant so i know how to care for it but I have no idea what it is. She told me it was a spider plant but i dont think that is correct. Im going to attatch an image and hopefully you can help. It will be a phtot taken with my cell phone. There is no white whatsoever on the leave they are solid green on top and a purplish color on the bottom.

Answer
Hi Janell,

The photo quality is not great, but it looks like your mystery plant is a Rhoeo spathacea,  commonly called Moses-in-the-cradle. It is not a Spider Plant nor is it remotely related.

It does best indoors on a very sunny windowsill or outside in warm weather in light shade. In good light, the leaves will have a deeper purple color and will produce interesting cradle-like flowers. Keep it tightly potted and water it as soon as the top half-inch of soil feels dry. As long as it gets lots of good sunlight, it is pretty easy to care for.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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