Basket Plant (Callisia fragrans)

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Also known as chain plant, inch plant, false bromeliad, octopus plant

 Plant Type: herbaceous evergreen perennial groundcover

Plant Family: Spiderworts family (Commelinaceae)

Visual Identification:

Native Region(s): upland central Mexico, parts of South America

Landscape Use: ground cover, hanging baskets, containers

Height: 6-12 inches

Spread: 35 inches

Spacing: 4-6 feet

Hardiness Zones: 10+ (zone 9 possible, but a cold snap may cause damage)

Hardy Down To: 25-30°F

Light: Partial sun optimal, other sun conditions possible. Leaves gain a purple coloring in bright sunlight.

Water: water every 2-3 days. Keep moist, but avoid standing water.

Soil: moist, gritty, fertile loam. pH of 6.8-7.

Fertilize: fertilize with a regular 10-10-10 fertilizer monthly

Toxicity: May cause contact dermatitis in both humans and their pets. Avoid getting the sap from this plant directly on the skin when possible. Keeping this plant away from pets and children is recommended.

Additional Resources:

 

🌱

𝗺𝗼𝗶𝘀𝘁, 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘁𝘆, 𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗺.
Potting Mix Recipe: 1 part peat moss or coco coir, 1 part perlite, 1 part compost

🌤️

𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 - 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗻.
Partial sun optimal, other sun conditions possible. Leaves gain a purple coloring in bright sunlight.

🌡️

𝗦𝘂𝗯-𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹, 𝘃𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘆.
Grows best in temperatures above 70° F. Can endure temperature dips as low as 25-30°F in-ground. Potted plants should be protected from temperatures below 50° F.

💧

𝗔𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀.
Water every 2-3 days. Keep moist, but avoid standing water.

☠️

𝗦𝗮𝗽 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
May cause contact dermatitis in both humans and their pets. Avoid getting the sap from this plant directly on the skin when possible. Keeping this plant away from pets and children is recommended.

 

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