Callisia spp.

inch plant

Commelinaceae

Americas (southern USA to Argentina)

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Callisia spp. is a genus of low, creeping to trailing perennials in the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae), native to warm regions of the Americas from the southern United States to Argentina. Stems root readily at the nodes and spread into mats or hang from containers, reaching 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) long depending on species. The fleshy, often glossy leaves are 0.5-4 inches (1-10 cm) long and range from small overlapping ovals in C. repens to long strap-shaped rosettes in C. fragrans. Small three-petalled flowers, usually white and sometimes pink-tinged, open among the upper leaves and last a single day. Several species spread quickly and root over wide areas, becoming weedy in frost-free climates. The plant sap holds irritant compounds that can cause skin or paw dermatitis in sensitive people and pets. Callisia spp. grows in warm, bright, well-drained sites and is damaged by frost, so in cool regions it is kept as a houseplant or summer container plant.

Native Range

The genus is native to the warm temperate, subtropical, and tropical Americas, ranging from the southern United States and Mexico through Central America and the West Indies into much of South America as far as Argentina. Species grow in open woodland, rocky slopes, and disturbed ground, often in light shade.

Suggested Uses

Callisia spp. is used as a trailing houseplant, hanging-basket subject, and frost-free groundcover or edging in warm gardens. In USDA zones 9-11 it can carpet shaded, well-drained ground, while elsewhere it is grown under cover. Its tendency to root and spread limits its use near sensitive native plantings.

How to Identify

Look for creeping or trailing stems that root at the nodes and carry two ranks of fleshy, often glossy leaves with sheathing bases. Leaf size and shape vary from tiny overlapping ovals to long pointed straps arranged in loose rosettes. Small white three-petalled flowers sit among the upper leaves. The jointed, node-rooting stems and sheathed leaves place it in the spiderwort family alongside Tradescantia spp..

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread1' - 3'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Summer Fall

Flowering occurs mainly in summer and early autumn, with scattered flowers possible year-round in warm conditions. Each flower opens for a single day, and a plant produces a succession of blooms over several weeks. Many species flower sparsely and are grown for their foliage.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, sometimes pink-tinged

Foliage Description

Green, often glossy, sometimes purple-flushed or variegated

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years to fill a container

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plants grow in bright light to part shade in free-draining soil or potting mix and store water in their fleshy stems and leaves, so they cope with short dry spells but rot in waterlogged soil. Warmth above 50F (10C) is needed, as frost kills exposed growth. Stems root wherever they touch soil, which makes propagation from cuttings quick and can lead to unwanted spread outdoors. Watering can be reduced in winter when growth slows. Mealybugs and spider mites are the most frequent pests under cover.

Pruning

Trailing stems can be pinched or trimmed at any time to keep plants dense and within bounds, and the cut pieces root easily as new plants. Leggy or bare stems can be cut back hard to force fresh basal growth. Faded flower stalks can be removed for tidiness.