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| Category: Tropical |
| Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderworts) |
| Origin: Mexico (North America) |
| Red/Purple Foliage: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Tradescantia dracaenoides, Hort] |
| Height: <1 foot |
| Width: 2-4 feet |
| Exposure: Light Shade/Part Sun |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): High Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 30-32° F |
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Callisia fragrans (Basket Plant) - A low growing perennial with 6 to 10 inch long waxy green leaves arranged alternately with the bases overlapping so tightly that they appear to be in rosettes. The leaves have a slight purplish color underneath and on the upper margins when in bright light. Trailing stems grow out over the ground or upward with support. Although not blooming regularly in our climate, it occasionally has small, white fragrant flowers arranged in clusters of three in terminal panicles. Best planted in well-drained soil that is regularly irrigated in part sun to shade (purple color best with more light). Flourishes in warm subtropical climates but can tolerate a mild frost in the cooler winters of coastal California . Makes a good groundcover in mild climates and is good in a hanging basket. In bright light it lays flat and takes on the look of a cluster of bromeliads but when in deeper shade it grows upright and more closely resembles a Dracaena. Tradescantia dracaenoides, an invalid botanical name, and the common name, false bromeliad, are both associated with this plant for this reason. Callisia fragrans comes from central Mexico south to Columbia and it has naturalized in many subtropical areas where it is considered to be a garden weed and there often referred to as Inch Plant for the tendency to inch out on its stems, which root on contact with moist soil. This spreading nature has led some to also call it Octopus Plant. In some parts of the world it is used as an herbal to treat a wide array of maladies. We first received this plant in 2003 from the Horticulture Department at the University of Florida, Gainesville.
The information about Callisia fragrans displayed on this page is based on research conducted in our nursery library and from online sources we consider reliable. We will also relate those observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and in other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has additional information, particularly when they share cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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