Turtle Vine Callisia repens
Other Common Name(s):
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:
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- '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'
- 'Bianca', 'Gold', 'Pink Lady', 'Pink Panther'
- Tags:
- 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'
- 'Bianca', 'Gold', 'Pink Lady', 'Pink Panther'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
