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    • Photo of Callisia fragrans foliage by David J. Stang

    Photo by David J. Stang

    This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

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    Callisia fragrans

    Also Known As

    • False Bromeliad Plant

    Plant type

    perennial, bromeliad

    size

    • H: 6"-12"
    • W: 4'-6'

    planting zones

    • 10b-11

    More Options

    Callisia fragrans plant details

    Aptly named the False Bromeliad plant, the fleshy rosettes of Callisia fragrans really do look the part, especially in full sun where the leaves spread flatter and develop purple tones. They're more upright and green with less light. Outdoors in warm climates, they spread to form a colony. Indoors, they make nice beginner-friendly houseplants and terrarium additions. Spires of white tiny flowers shoot up about 1 foot above the foliage.

    Callisia fragrans is an evergreen perennial bromeliad with burgundy, green and variegated foliage. In spring and winter white flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

    CHARACTERISTICS OF Callisia fragrans

    Plant type: perennial bromeliad
    Plant family: commelinaceae
    Foliage: evergreen burgundy, green and variegated
    Mature size: 4 FT - 6 FT - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
    Flowers: white blooms in spring and winter
    Uses: houseplant, terrarium plant

    GROWING CONDITIONS for Callisia fragrans

    USDA Zones: 10b - 11
    Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
    Watering frequency: regular
    Resistant to: verticillium wilt
    Soil needs: average and well-drained

    Nursery contributed plant descriptions

    Callisia fragrans is another plant in this wandering Jew family. I really like plants from this group since they often look like they belong to other families of plants. Callisia fragrans is often called the false bromeliad plant. Due to the fact it looks just like a bromeliad. The leaves are held in a rosette and can turn dark pink to purple in full sun. Mature plants can be over 1 foot across but it can be kept small in terrariums. Flowers are often several feet high and tons of white flowers on many brackets. This plant is very easy to grow and spreads by runners or vines. Plants sold mature bare rooted plants 1 foot long or so.

    By: Brian's Botanicals

    Gardening facts about Callisia fragrans plant

    How to Grow Callisia fragrans

    • Sun Exposure

      • sun - mostly sun

    • Water Needs

      • regular

    • Soil Needs

      • average
      • well-drained

    • Special Situation

      • verticillium wilt resistant

    Features

    • Foliage Color

      • variegated
      • green
      • burgundy

    • Flower Color

      • white

    • Flower Season

      • spring
      • winter

    • Foliage Season

      • evergreen

    See other plant types of Callisia for your garden

    Callisia elegans

    aka Callisia gentlei var. elegans, Chain Plant, Striped Inch Plant

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    10a-11

    Size

    Height: 6"-36"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • mostly sun - shade
    • regular
    Photo of Callisia elegans foliage by Derek Powazek
    View Plant

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    Callisia navicularis

    aka Tradescantia navicularis, Chain Plant, Chainplant, Inch Plant

    Plant Type

    Cactus / Succulent

    Zones

    9b-12

    Size

    Height: 6"

    Width: 12"

    • bright shade
    • occasional - low
    Photo of Callisia navicularis foliage, form by LucaLuca
    View Plant

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    Callisia soconuscensis 'Variegata'

    aka Callisia congesta 'Variegata', Callisia congesta variegata

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 6"-12"

    Width: 12"-24"

    • bright shade - shade
    • regular
    Photo of Callisia soconuscensis 'Variegata' foliage by Avant Gardens
    View Plant

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    Callisia repens 'Bianca'

    aka Callisia repens 'Pink Lady', Callisia repens 'Pink Turtle', Callisia repens 'Tango', Callisia repens 'Tricolor', Callisia repens 'Variegata'

    Plant Type

    Perennial

    Zones

    10a-12

    Size

    Height: 1"-4"

    Width: 6"-24"

    • mostly sun - mostly shade
    • regular
    Photo of Callisia repens 'Bianca' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
    View Plant

    More Options

    +4 more Callisia
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