Rhoeo

Family: Commelinaceae. Native to the humid tropical forests of Mexico and the Antilles. Rhoeo is a close relative of Tradescantia, although these plants do not look alike. The genus Rhoeo includes only one species that has become popular as a houseplant:

Rhoeo spathacea or Rhoeo discolor - a herbaceous rhizomatous plant with a short fleshy erect stem, from which closely set linear-lanceolate leaves arise, dark green above and red-purple beneath, about 30 cm long. There is a form "Rhoeo spathacea Vittata" with leaves marked with yellow stripes on the upper surface and purple-red beneath.

As Rhoeo ages the lower leaves die back, and the upper leaves form a rosette, which is why Rhoeo is often mistaken for bromeliads. The flowers of Rhoeo are small and white, gathered in inflorescences on short peduncles. The inflorescences are hidden inside a boat-shaped bract formed by several overlapping purple bracts. Flowering can occur at any time of year.



Temperature: Moderate, ideally around 20-21°C in summer. Winter minimum 16°C.

Light: Rhoeo is light-loving; shading from direct sunlight is needed only in sunny summer days on a south-facing window. Rhoeo grows well on east and west windows.

Watering: Abundant from spring to autumn — the soil should remain moist at all times; in winter water moderately — the soil should be slightly moist. It is preferable to use warm water for watering, especially in winter.

Fertilizer: From March to August feed Rhoeo with a fertilizer for indoor ornamental foliage plants every two weeks.

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