Callisia houseplant, or so-called Inch Plant, is a colorful and glazed houseplant with an attractive appearance, best known for its rapid growth. This plant has relatively tiny and sharp leaves that usually have two different colors. Callisia flowers have three white, pink, and purple petals that may bloom at any time. Like other plants of the succulent family, Casillas is more interested in humid places and does not tolerate direct sunlight. In this article, we want to introduce you to the storage conditions of the callisia houseplant.
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Botanical Name | Tradescantia zebrina |
Common Name | wandering jew, Spiderwort, inch plant |
Plant Type | Perennial |
Pet / Baby Safe | Some types mildly toxic to humans and animals |
Sun Exposure | indirect sunlight, partial shade |
Hardiness Zones | 9 to 12 |
Bloom Time | Year-round |
Soil Type | Moist but well-drained |
Soil Amendments | text here |
Types of Fertilizer | text here |
Flower Color | White, purple, pink |
Foliag Color | solid green, solid dark purple, striped white and green, striped green and purple |
Plant Height | 6-12 in. tall, 12-24 in. wide |
Native Area | Mexico, South America, Caribbean |
Introduction of callisia plant
Callisia was first named in 1720 by Pehr Löfling, and the plant’s name is derived from the Greek word kallos, meaning beautiful. There are currently more than 19 different species of callisia, most of which are native to South and Central America. The leaves of callisia are alternately placed on the plant’s stems and give it a cluster-like shape. You can use callisia as an outdoor cover plant or a beautiful hanging houseplant.
The temperature required for keeping callisia in the apartment
The best temperature for keeping callisia at home is between 14 and 30 degrees Celsius. In summer, this plant can be stored outdoors as long as it is in the shade and above 12 degrees Celsius.
Irrigation rate of callisia
In general, callisia is a moisture-loving plant. Whenever the plant-soil dries, it is time to water it. To water callisia, water can usually be poured from the top of the soil and through the leaves into the pot, but only if the plant is in a place with indirect light. A better way to water this plant is from below. To do this, place the pot in a water container so that 20% of the pot is immersed in water until it absorbs all the moisture.
Suitable light for keeping callisia
This plant should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Direct sunlight is harmful to callisia, and only winter morning sunlight for 1 to 2 hours will not harm this plant. Filtered light or the light behind a window without curtains, of course, by distance, is the best light condition for callisia.
How to prune and remove withered leaves
To prune callisia, you can remove the yellowed or withered leaves from the plant so that it can breathe new life and continue to grow. To prune the plant, you should always use a sharp and clean tool so that the plant does not get infected or bacteria. It would help if you never cut the yellowed leaves incompletely, as it may spread the disease.
Toxicity of callisia plant
Callisia is a poisonous plant and is dangerous to eat by humans and pets. Eating this plant causes vomiting, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Soil suitable for keeping callisia
It is recommended to use soil with ideal drainage for callisia growing medium. For example, the combination of leaf soil with sand is a suitable environment for the growth of this plant. You can also use complete fertilizers with the formula 10.10.10 once a month to feed this plant during the growing seasons of the plant, i.e., in spring and summer.
The best time to change callisia pots
The best time to change callisia pots is once every three years and in the spring. For this purpose, try to choose a larger pot than the previous pot, and be sure to use fresh soil and not plant the plant with the same old soil because callisia is a sensitive plant and may be damaged by the shock of changing pots.
Callisia fertilization method
You can use a balanced fertilizer to fertilize callisia. You should apply this fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season and once a month for the rest of the year. It is also better to stop fertilizing this plant in winter and water it less often.
Introducing the famous species of callisia
Pink Lady
The growth of this succulent species is prolonged and grows up to 4-6 inches. The leaves of this plant are round, small, and waxy with different shades of green, cream, and pink stripes with wine bottoms.
Golden callisia
In what is known as golden callisia, the upper part of the leaves is golden-green to light green, and the lower part is bronze copper or red. They prefer humid and moderate light conditions.
callisia Variegata
This species of callisia belongs to the Tradescantia family. This plant has compact leaves with pink, cream, and green veins.
Callisia Bianca
This type of callisia is more popular. The leaves of this type of callisia are small, oval, and glossy, and over time all the leaves of this plant change color to pink. This species grows as a pendant, and the hanging of the leaves has doubled the beauty of this plant.
Callisia Pink Panther
This species is succulent. The growth of this plant is low and slow, and the color of its leaves is green and white stripes with a dark pink halo.
callisia Repens
This species of callisia is more distinct than other types of plants in this family. Because its leaves are completely green and gray with pink stems, and the underside of the leaves is purple.
Callisia propagation methods
callisia Repens
To do this, you have to separate a healthy stem with a few leaves attached to it and then use a sharp and sterilized knife or scissors to separate the stem. Now put the separated stemming water to take root. When the plant’s roots have reached about three centimeters, you can plant them in your desired pot and after about a month, keep them as an adult plant.
Use of splinters
Occasionally, when the ends of the stems of this plant collide with the soil, you see the growth of small shoots around callisia. Once rooted, these cuttings can be separated and new plants produced. This method is mainly done during spring and summer.
Spores on the underside of the leaf
To do this, collect the spores on a sheet of white paper and plant them in a seed tray containing seed compost and cuttings. Then cover the seed tray with a plastic bag. When the ferns are 2.5 cm long, take them out and plant them in a pot containing a compost diameter of 6 cm. Place the plant in a place that does not shine directly from the sun. Put a plate under the pot for watering and fill the water inside the dish.
Diseases and pests of callisia
Various diseases or pests may attack Callisia. Spider mites, aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, and aphids are the pests that may attack this plant. On the other hand, diseases such as botrytis, leaf spot, white spot, and root rot may affect the plant. They are infected slowly.
Conclusion
Callisia, with its beautiful appearance and various types, is always one of the attractive options for use in homes and apartments. This species belongs mainly to South and Central America and is a poisonous plant for pets and babies. Callisia has been used as a houseplant in many countries, and it is interesting to know that these flowers can grow in all seasons! You can breed and propagate them by understanding their maintenance systems, such as suitable ambient temperature, soil conditions, and suitable distances for irrigation. In this article, we wanted to give you reasonably comprehensive information on maintaining callisia. If you have any questions or concerns about this issue, please contact us in the comments section.
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