PlantFiles: Bolivian Jew, Turtle Vine
Callisia repens

I have this plant, thought it was a bridal veil. My Koi, snails, chickens, bob white all eat it.

Also known as "Brazilian Jew" and "Honeycomb".Nice green/purple combination.Can be planted as air plants on logs and rocks. Can be use in combinations with Bromeliads.

I have really enjoyed this plant. I found it in an AMAZING hanging basket at our annual nursery festival. I was really drawn to it's small foliage It has done really well in sun or shade. It is very easy to grow. Be careful with this as a hanging plant. After reading some of the previous posts of how easily it takes root, I took a look at the ground under my basket and... sure enough. The pieces that have broken off were beginning to take off! Since disovering this fact, I have really enjoyed literally tosing pieces here and there just to see if it will grow. =) I usually remember where I have done this and check after about a week. So far, it's been sucessful almost everywhere. And then there are the times that I come across places that I have tossed and accidentally forgotten. It is then that I learn how fast it can multiply. Dangerous little game. Bolivian Jew is somewhat of the bunny rabbit of the plant world.
Break off a few pieces and share with others. It's a fast grower so kids may like it.... Hanging baskets...moisture keepers in taller container plants...beautiful ground cover...
extremely versitle! Enjoy.

Bolivian Jew, Turtle Vine Callisia repens is Native to Texas and other States.

This plant is VERY easy to grow! In my experience it doesn't require much care at all. I originally got this plant many years ago in a hanging basket which I mistakenly hung in a tree in my yard, where small pieces fell to the ground and took root .... I have thrown so much away, it isn't funny. At least it is very easy to pull up! I still have a huge bed of it that has taken over. Makes a nice ground cover in some spots. Unfortunately, it has taken over one of my beds and covered all the low plants in that area! For hanging basket plants, it is perfect! I have never fertilized mine and it grows in full sun as well as full shade. Very care-free plant!

Creeping stems forming mats;glabrous,variable leaves to 4 cm long and 1-2 cm wide;spike-like inflorescence;small white flowers.

I have had this plant for a few years, not knowing what it is. I bought it for a dollar at Walmart, it was very sickly looking and I felt sorry for it.

I let it grow out and forgot to turn it, so, all of it's vines were on one side. My wife said it was very ugly.

Due to my wifes persitance I cut it all back so it is even on all sides. It has been a month and it looks beautiful. Although small it looks the best ever.
The part I cut off, I threw in the Compost pile and It is still alive, I think I have to tranfer it to another pot.

This plant will grow anywhere you drop a piece as long as it is over 50° and gets occasional water. I have grown this as an annual groundcover for several years just by keeping a few sprigs going through the winter in my greenhouse.

It multiplies and spreads extremely fast creating a luxurious mat of green and purple leaves. It is aslo usefull to keep those potted plants from drying out as it will form a thick mat at the base of taller plants. It also makes excellent hanging baskets that can hang as much as 3' in a single season. Propagation is easy. Simply lay a few small sprigs in moist soil, watering regularly. Roots form in days, and plant spreads out and thickens within 30 days to fill a 10" pot.

Don't over-water as it is a succulent, but mist hanging baskets to keep trailers from drying out in hot climates. As a ground-cover Callisia repens seldom gets more than 6" tall. Strange as it seems this plant is related to Tradescantia (Spiderwort)