How to grow Callisia navicularis

Callisia navicularis growing subshrub succulent of the genus Callisia also known as Tradescantia navicularis or Chain Plant, Callisia navicularis perennial evergreen or as annual plant, used as ornamental plant for the leaves that can be colorful and as groundcover plant, can grow in mediterranean, desert, subtropical, temperate, tropic climate or as houseplant and growing in hardiness zone 10b+ as perennial or 4-10a as annual also possible to keep overwinter indoor.

Callisia navicularis Plants, Seeds & Supplies for Sale

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Callisia Fragrans Live Plant, Live Succulent Cutting, 7-9 Inch Tall
Callisia Fragrans Live Plant, Live Succulent Cutting, 7-9 Inch TallCheck Price on Amazon
Callisia Repens Bianca, Pink and Green Trailing Plant, Live Indoor Houseplant
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Leaves color green and can be variegata with purple, red, pink or more than one color in triangle shape.

Callisia navicularis flower

Flower color purple with 3 petals in triangle shape.

Callisia navicularis for sale – Seeds or Plants to Buy

In the past was categorize in other genus Phyodina navicularis and Tradescantia navicularis

How to grow Callisia navicularis growing and care:

Well-drained soil, mulch, humidity, rich soil, moist soil, organic matter, when grown as annual need to take indoor new cutting for next year

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed / Vegetative reproduction – start by cutting for stems put the stem in moist soil, better peat soil but possible other soil, consider to use greenhouse or plastic box to keep high humidity, possible to put in water and switch the water every few days but might not work and other option layering – bending a branch over and covering it with soil.

Is it necessary to use vegetative reproduction?
No, but in order to get specific leaf color recommend

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Can cause skin irritation

Planting season:
Spring as annual in hardiness zone 4-10a, as perennial in spring to autumn 10b-11 and all year in hardiness zone 12+

Pests and diseases:
?

Pruning season:
Autumn / Winter

How to prune:
Dead bloom stems and leaves

Size of the plant:
5-10cm (2-4 inches)

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / Medium growing

Water requirement:
Small amount of water / Average amount of water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Full sun / Half shade / Full shade (with light)

Is it possible to grow indoor as houseplant?
Yes (with a lot of light better next to window)

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, when grow in container need to choose the right soil, can be sand soil or potting mix or even peat soil with perlite, care not to put too much water, switch the soil every few years and cut the roots, the container need to be bigger than the root ball 50% or the desirable size if the roots too much big prune the roots and the leaves.

Blooming information

Bloom season?
Spring / Summer

General information about the flower:
Triangle flower in purple color with 3 petals

Sowing requirement:
Location with light and better sandy or well ventilated soil and also good drainage is important

Saving seeds and care until sowing:
Dry and dark place in room temperature

Sowing season:
As annual better in spring or indoor late winter and possible from the autumn, in hardiness zone 10-11 spring to autumn, hardiness zone 12+ all year, better in hot summer location of full shade in order to sow in the summer

Planting spacing:
20-30cm, (8-12 inches)

Depth of Sowing:
0.5cm, (0.25inches)

Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil, humidity but do not over water and don’t let it dry

Watering requires for Seeds:
Small amount of water / Average amount of water

Germination time:
2-4 weeks

Condition of seedling:
Light with moist soil and well ventilated soil

Scientific name:

Callisia navicularis

Alternative names: Roselings, Tradescantia navicularis, Chain Plant, Phyodina navicularis

How to grow Callisia navicularis

Callisia navicularis plant

Callisia navicularis

Categories

Blooming Seasons
  • Spring flowers
  • Summer flowers
Flower colors
  • Purple flower
Climate
  • Desert Climate
  • Mediterranean Climate
  • Subtropics Climate
  • Temperate Climate
  • Tropics Climate
Leaf color
  • Pink leaves
  • Purple leaf
  • Red leaves
Ornamental parts
  • Ornamental flower
  • Ornamental leaves
  • Ornamental plant
Plant growing speed
  • Average growing plants
  • Fast growing plants
Plant life-form
  • Annual plant
  • Evergreen
  • Perennial plant
  • Subshrub
  • Succulent
Plant Uses
  • Colored leaves
  • Ground cover plants
  • Indoor plants
  • Ornamental plants
Planting Season
  • Autumn Planting
  • Spring Planting
  • Summer planting
  • Winter planting
Plants sun exposure
  • Full sun Plants
  • Part shade Plants
  • Shade Plants
Watering plants
  • Regularly water
  • Small amounts of water
Hardiness zone
  • Hardiness zone 10
  • Hardiness zone 11
  • Hardiness zone 12
  • Hardiness zone 13
  • Hardiness zone 4
  • Hardiness zone 5
  • Hardiness zone 6
  • Hardiness zone 7
  • Hardiness zone 8
  • Hardiness zone 9

Growing in Pots, Balconies & Indoors

Callisia navicularis is a small, mat-forming succulent that makes an easy houseplant – the grower confirms it grows well indoors, provided it sits in bright light right next to a window. It is equally at home in a shallow pot on a balcony.

Quick Details

  • Container Size: A pot at least 50% larger than the root ball (or your target size); root-prune if it outgrows it
  • Indoor Suitability: A good houseplant given plenty of light – best beside a bright window
  • Best Spot: Bright light; tolerates full sun to light shade
  • Soil & Drainage: Sandy soil, potting mix, or peat with perlite – must drain freely
  • Watering in Pots: Water sparingly; let it dry between waterings and never leave it soggy

Indoors & On the Windowsill

  • A genuine houseplant: The grower grows it indoors successfully – give it the brightest window you have so the little boat-shaped leaves stay tight and colourful.
  • Light matters: In a dim spot the stems stretch and lose their compact look; a sunny sill or a place right at the glass is ideal.
  • Handle with care: The sap of this plant family can irritate sensitive skin and mildly upset pets if chewed – keep nibbling pets away.

On a Balcony or Patio

  • Light & shelter: Happy in full sun to part shade on a balcony; in a shallow pot it dries fast, so check moisture often in warm weather.

Choosing the Pot, Soil & Long-Term Care

  • Pot & drainage: Use a pot about 50% larger than the root ball with strong drainage holes; skip a standing saucer to avoid root rot.
  • Potting mix: Sandy soil, standard potting mix, or peat/coir with perlite for sharp drainage.
  • Feeding: A dilute balanced feed once or twice in active growth is plenty – succulents need little.
  • Repotting: Every few years refresh the soil, and if the roots have filled the pot, prune the roots and leaves back before replanting.

Bloom & Flower Guide

Quick Details

  • Bloom Season: Spring into summer
  • Flower Appearance: Small three-petalled purple flowers in a neat triangular shape
  • Edibility: Not eaten — grown for its colorful foliage

Detailed Blooming Overview

Callisia navicularis (chain plant, also listed as Tradescantia navicularis) is a low, spreading succulent grown mainly for its boat-shaped, often purple-tinted leaves. In spring and summer it adds small purple flowers. It grows outdoors in Mediterranean, desert, subtropical, temperate and tropical climates, or as a houseplant, in roughly zone 10b and warmer, and overwinters happily indoors.

Flower Characteristics

  • Small three-petalled flowers in purple, echoing the triangular leaves.
  • Each bloom is short-lived, but they open in succession over the season.
  • Nestled among the trailing, colorful stems.

Bloom Care & Thinning

  • Position: Bright light brings out both leaf color and the best flowering.
  • Safety: The sap can irritate skin and is not meant for eating — a foliage plant, not a culinary one.