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Callisia repens

Previously known as:

  • Hapalanthus repens
  • Tradescantia callisia
  • Tradescantia repens
Phonetic Spelling
kah-LEE-see-uh reh-PENZ
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The species, Callisia repens, or turtle vine is a trailing and mat-forming succulent that is native to Southeast Texas to Tropical America. They are found in shady, rocky areas, forests, and shrublands. The turtle vine has tiny leaves and dark purple stems. Due to its trailing habit the plant can be used as indoor container plant or in hanging baskets. In warm climates, it may also be used as a groundcover. It is fast-growing and will grow up to 4 to 6 inches tall and more than 2 feet long. The genus name, Callisia, originates from the Greek word, kallos, meaning "beauty." The specific epithet, repens, is Latin for "creeping." The plant is a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae).

The turtle vine prefers bright, indirect sunlight and moist, sandy, well-drained soil or potting mix containing perlite to promote good drainage. The plant also prefers a pH of 5.0 to 6.5. It is intolerant to frost. In cooler climates, the plant must be brought indoors during the winter. They prefer temperatures between 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  Growth can be controlled by pruning. The plant is propagated by stem cuttings. offsets, or seeds. The stems can easily root at the nodes and form mats.

The plant has a creeping, cascading, and dense habit and has purple stems. The foliage is dark green, tiny, fleshy, and oval-shaped. The foliage color may be solid green, pink, gold, white, or variegated depending on the variety. Small white or pink flowers occur during late spring to early summer, and they are followed by capsules containing seeds.

The turtle vine is a popular ornamental houseplant and makes an attractive hanging basket. The variegated colors of the cultivars with their cascading purple stems are very striking.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for spider mites, aphids, and mealy bugs. Overwatering can cause root rot or fungal diseases. Rabbits enjoy the foliage. Leaf discoloration or leaf scorch can result from intense, direct sun. Too much shade can cause leggy and weak stems. When used as a groundcover the turtle vine can smother weaker plants. It is listed as invasive in South Africa, China, and Cuba. 

Be aware that the turtle vine is toxic to pets and children, if ingested. The sap may also cause skin irritation for humans and pets.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bianca'
    small, oval leaves, glossy green with white stripes that turn pink
  • 'Gold'
    yellowish-green leaves, the undersides are bronze colored
  • 'Pink Lady'
    variegated leaves of green, pink, or cream and the underside is burgundy, small white flowers
  • 'Pink Panther'
    small leaves of green and pink with white stripes, undersides are reddish-purple
'Bianca', 'Gold', 'Pink Lady', 'Pink Panther'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#white flowers#succulent#low maintenance#hanging baskets#fast growing#creeping#cascading#groundcover#purple stems#vine#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#dense growth#perennial#partial shade#native
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bianca'
    small, oval leaves, glossy green with white stripes that turn pink
  • 'Gold'
    yellowish-green leaves, the undersides are bronze colored
  • 'Pink Lady'
    variegated leaves of green, pink, or cream and the underside is burgundy, small white flowers
  • 'Pink Panther'
    small leaves of green and pink with white stripes, undersides are reddish-purple
'Bianca', 'Gold', 'Pink Lady', 'Pink Panther'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#white flowers#succulent#low maintenance#hanging baskets#fast growing#creeping#cascading#groundcover#purple stems#vine#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#contact dermatitis#container plant#easy to grow houseplant#dense growth#perennial#partial shade#native
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Callisia
    Species:
    repens
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeast Texas to Tropical America
    Distribution:
    Native: Argentina, Aruba, Belize, bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Windward Islands, and the United States--Texas. Introduced: Bangladesh, China Southeast, and the United States--Florida and Louisiana.
    Play Value:
    Easy to Grow
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Succulent
    Vine
    Habit/Form:
    Ascending
    Cascading
    Creeping
    Dense
    Multi-stemmed
    Prostrate
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a lenticular capsule that measures only 1.7 mm long. The capsule splits open and there are 2 seeds per valve. The seeds are brown, 1 mm in size, and have a wrinkled appearance.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Description:
    The flowers bloom in late spring to early summer. They are small, white or pink, 3-petaled, and appear in clusters in the leaf axils.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Fleshy
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are green, ovate, acute at the tips, rounded at the base, and measure up to 1.5 inches long and 0.75 inches wide. The undersides of the leaves are often purple. The leaves are smooth except rough at the margins and apex. The leaf margins are hairy. The leaf color varies depending on the cultivar--shades green, pink, yellow, purple, and variegated.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The stems are purple, multi-branched, ascending, trailing, and mat-forming. They grow up to 10 inches long or longer and can root at the nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat
    Humidity
    Poor Soil
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    If ingested, the plant can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, throat swelling, and difficulty breathing or swallowing for children and pets. The leaves have an oil that can cause skin and oral irritation.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Calcium oxalate crystals
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Sap/Juice
    Stems