Callisia navicularis aka Chainplant
Taxonomy ID: 78
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 Tears, Chain PlantMore information about Chainplant
How difficult is it to take care of Chainplant
Caring for Chainplant is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
What is the region of origin of Chainplant
Chainplant’s native range is Southern United States to South America.
What are the water needs for Chainplant
Chainplant should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Chainplant
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.
What is the sunlight requirement for Chainplant
To ensure optimal growth, the Chainplant prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
What's the right humidity for Chainplant
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.
How to fertilize Chainplant
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.
Is Chainplant toxic to humans/pets?
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.
About Ploi
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