Callisia

Callisia repens

Creeping Inch Plant

Family: Commelinaceae

Genus: Callisia

Species: Repens

Cultivars: Pink Panther (Pink Lady), Golden

Common names: Creeping Inch Plant, Pink Lady, Pink Panther, mini-Tradescantia

Difficulty: Low to Medium

Description: This former member of the Tradescantia genus was recently reclassified as a new genus, Callisia. It comes is a bunching plant that is almost like a miniature Wander Dude. Unlike the typical growth habits of a Tradescantia, this plant does not create long vines, but instead makes a small bush that can overhang a basket when fully mature. It is a very fast and aggressive grower!

Mature size: This species will mature quickly and will get up to 6 inches tall and 2 feet wide. While it can grow even larger over time, expect a fully mature plant within 1-2 years. 

Light: Medium to bright indirect light. Under a grow light or an East or South facing window. Avoid direct sunlight as the plant has thin leaves that easily burn. This plant is low light tolerant, but understand the green will overtake the brighter colors and the growth rate will be slowed substantially. 

Water: This plant is susceptible to leaf rot. Always bottom water and try to not get the leaves wet. If you do get the leaves wet, wipe them off to avoid fungal issues. Deeply water when the soil is 25%-50% dry. This plant will not tolerate fully drying well.

Temperature: Ideal between 60-95 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid temperatures below 45 degrees.

Humidity: This tropical plant will appreciate higher humidity from a humidifier, however can be grown in ambient home humidity with an adjustment period.

Soil: A rich airy mix with decent water retention is best for all Tradescantia. We use 2-parts coco coir, 2-parts perlite, 1-part sand, 1-part vermiculite, 1 part bark, ½-part worm casting.

Nutrition: This plant should be fed with a balanced fertilizer at half recommended dose on a monthly basis. Fertilize year-round if grown under grow lights, or May-September if grown by natural light. 

Repotting: This is a trailing plant, not a vining plant, per say. As the plant grows along the soil it will root at each node. It will also send new shoots of vine up to the surface from the roots. It is best to keep this plant in a pot no bigger than 1 inch more than the root ball and then wait for the plant to fill the entire pot. Although, it thrives being root bound. 

Toxicity: Lightly toxic to humans, dogs, and cats, only causing light irritation from the sap. Mildly poisonous to humans, dogs, and cats, causing nausea and stomach upset.  

Native to: Central and South America. This plant is invasive in tropics throughout the rest of the world, particularly invasive in Florida. 

Companion Animals: This plant is not recommended for herbivores or amphibians due to its toxicity profile. It would do well in many moderate to high humidity tanks for snakes, arboreal geckos, and other like bioactive cages.