Callisia navicularis aka Chainplant
Taxonomy
Callisia navicularis, sometimes called Tradescantia navicularis or Chain Plant, is an easy to grow species of flowering plant in the family Commelinaceae, native to Mexico. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit as a warm temperate greenhouse ornamental and is a relatively rare houseplant. It can be grown outdoors in hardiness Zone 10 or above as an evergreen ground cover, or indoors as a houseplant, and needs regular watering to thrive. It should be less than three feet from a window and given abundant sunlight, and well-draining soil. With regular repotting as it doubles in size, your Chain Plant shouldn't need additional fertilizers or care.
Common names
Chainplant, Inch Plant, Window's TearsHow to care for Chainplant
Difficulty
Caring for Chainplant is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Chainplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Chainplant loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Chainplant requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Inch Plant is always in the right place to thrive.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Humidity
No extra humidity is necessary for the Chainplant. Absorption of water by plants is primarily done through their roots, and soil watering is the most effective method to provide humidity to your plants.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Chainplant should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Region of origin
Chainplant’s native range is Southern United States to South America.
More info:
Wikipedia
