Callisia elegans
striped inch plant
A succulent evergreen perennial of trailing habit, to 15cm tall, with dark olive green, elliptic leaves 6-8cm long, striped with white above, and rich purple beneath. Flowers small, white, in terminal clusters
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple White | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Purple White | |||
| Autumn | White | Green Purple White | ||
| Winter | White | Green Purple White |
Position
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical details
- Family
- Commelinaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Trailing
- Genus
Callisia are trailing or bushy evergreen perennials with slightly fleshy stems and leaves, and small, 3-petalled white or pink flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Guatemala & Honduras
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow indoors in temperatures that fall no lower than 10°C (50°F) in winter. Can be grown in a hanging basket or in a greenhouse border in two parts John Innes No 2 and one part grit. Water freely in the growing season and apply a liquid fertiliser monthly
Propagation
Propagate by root cuttings (root tip cuttings) 6-7cm (2-3in) long, in spring. To produce dense coverage, pot up several cuttings in an 8cm (3in) container
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Ground cover
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
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