Calasia Repens

Description: Callisia repens, commonly known as Creeping Inch Plant or Bolivian Jew, is a charming and resilient trailing plant prized for its attractive foliage and vigorous growth habit. This low-maintenance plant belongs to the Commelinaceae family and is native to Central and South America. Callisia repens is valued for its versatility and adaptability, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, ground covers, or container gardens.

🌿 Botanical Name: Callisia repens

🐾 Pet Warning: Callisia repens is generally non-toxic to pets. However, ingesting large quantities of plant material may cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets.

💧 Care Level: Easy. Callisia repens is a low-maintenance plant that thrives with minimal care.

📏 Approximate Size: Callisia repens can spread indefinitely and reach lengths of several feet under optimal growing conditions.

☀️ Light: Callisia repens prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, as it may scorch the leaves. Indoors, place it near a window with filtered sunlight or grow lights.

💧 Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water Callisia repens when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, typically once or twice a week. Reduce watering in the winter months when growth slows down.

🌱 Soil: Plant Callisia repens in well-draining potting mix with good moisture retention. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and compost works well. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging.

🌡️ Temperature: Callisia repens prefers temperatures between 65°F to 75°F (18°C to 24°C). Protect it from drafts and temperature extremes.

❄️ Hardiness: Callisia repens is hardy in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. In cooler climates, grow it as a houseplant or bring it indoors during the winter months.

🌱 Fertilizing: Feed Callisia repens with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half the recommended strength every 4-6 weeks during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid over-fertilizing, as it may lead to leggy growth.

🔄 Pruning: Trim back leggy or overgrown stems to encourage bushier growth and maintain the plant's shape. Pinching off the growing tips can also promote branching.

🌱 Propagation: Callisia repens is easy to propagate from stem cuttings. Simply snip a healthy stem with several nodes and plant it in moist potting mix. Roots will develop within a few weeks, and the cutting can be potted up as a new plant.