My new Callisia fragrans companion when I adopted it on 6-6-17.
Grandpa’s Pipe, Inch Plant, House Ginseng, Family Doctor, Golden Moustache, Heals 100 Ailments, Basket Plant, Octopus Plant, etc.
Callisia fragrans
kal-LIZ-ee-uh FRAY-granz
Synonyms of Callisia fragrans (3) (Updated on 12-13-23 from Plants of the World Online): Rectanthera fragrans (Lindl.) O.Deg., Spironema fragrans Lindl., Spironema orthandrum Lindb.
Callisia fragrans (Lindl.) Woodson is the accepted scientific name for this species. It was given this name and described as such by Robert Everard Woodson in the Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1942. It was first named Spironema fragrans Lindl. by John Lindley in Edward’s Botanical Register in 1840. It was also named Rectanthera fragrans (Lindl.) O.Deg. by Otto Degener in 1932 in Flora Hawaiiensis.
The genus, Callisia Loefl., was named and described by Pehr Loefling in Iter Hispan in 1758.
As of 12-13-14 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online by Kew lists 19 species in the Callisia genus. It is a member of the plant family Commeninaceae with 36 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.
This Callisia fragrans page has received more views and comments than any other plant on this site. All the comments and emails are very encouraging and I really appreciate them.
THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.
Callisia fragrans on 6-18-17, #345-9.
My Callisia fragrans was given to me by Mrs. Wagler of Wagler’s Greenhouse in 2017. Mrs. Wagler and I have been exchanging plants since 2013 and I always find something I don’t have. My sister and niece like to come down from Kansas City to buy plants from the local greenhouses and our first stop is usually Wagler’s. In fact, I lived here for 3 years before I even knew there were 3 others. Anyway, the day I took them plant shopping I saw several of these plants I didn’t see before. I thought it was some type of Bromeliad because it looked similar. She said someone gave her a start and told her it was called “Grandpa’s Pipe”.
Callisia fragrans on 6-24-17, #349-21,
When I got home with several plants AGAIN, I took photos as usual and then went to the computer. I had to know the genus and species of the Grandpa’s Pipe. Strangely enough, I typed the name in the search window and came up with Callisia fragrans. The name “Grandpa’s Pipe” was nowhere to be found as a common name on any of the websites I visited. How in the heck could I find the plant with that name when it isn’t even mentioned on the sites I visited.
Callisia fragrans on 7-30-17, #362-18.
I found out that this plant is NOT a species of Bromeliad as I suspected. It is a member of the Commelinaceae family (dayflower family and spiderwort family). SO, this plant is in the same family as the Tradescantia (Spiderworts) and Day Flowers (Comellina ssp.).
Callisia fragrans on 8-7-17, #365-7.
USEFUL INFORMATION:
Type: Tropical
Family: Commelinaceae
Origin: Native to Mexico
Zones: 10b-11 (35 to 40° F/1.7 to 4.5° C)
Size: 12”+
Light: Light to part shade.
Soil: Well-drained potting soil
Water: Average
Flowers: White flowers in late winter-early spring. Hmmm… Mine started flowering in June.
Propagation: Stem cuttings (plantlets, obviously).
Callisia fragrans on 8-7-17, #365-8.
Right off the bat, “this plant” started growing like its life depended on it. It had found a new home with this crazy guy that likes weird plants and it decided to show me what it was made of. It soon started sending out shoots here and there and within no time my potting table looked like a Callisia freeway, sending roads everywhere it wanted to travel.
Callisia fragrans on 8-23-17, 368-9.
Although some information online says the Callisia can be grown in sun to part shade, I think the full sun would not be a good idea. Mine did very well behind the shed with the other potted plants in light to part shade. Brighter light does seem to make the leaves have a reddish pigment, which according to the plant, is a good thing. I would imagine that full sun would burn this plant to a crisp, though.
Callisia fragrans on 8-29-17, #369-37.
San Marcos Growers says that when the Callisia fragrans are grown in more light, they will lay flat and they grow upright in more shade. When they grow flat they look like a cluster of Bromeliads. They say that the name Tradescantia dracaenoides and False Bromeliad are associated with this plant and the scientific name is invalid. I checked out the name and Plants of the World online says it is a synonym of Tradescantia macrophyllum which now says “no results”.
Callisia fragrans on 8-29-17, #369-38.
The Callisia fragrans has antiviral and antimicrobial properties. The leaves are used to treat various skin diseases, burns, and joint disorders. One website says chewing the leaves will quickly relieve headaches. Some information suggests the sun increases the medicinal quality. The leaves are said to be juicy and have a pleasant taste. Hmmm… Maybe I will have a sample.
Callisia fragrans, according to scientists, have biologically active substances, vitamins, and minerals found at the optimum ratio.
Callisia fragrans has been studied in Russia for more than 20 years by scientists.
This plant is also known as the House Ginseng, Family Doctor, Golden Moustache, and Heals 100 Ailments.
Callisia fragrans on 8-29-17, #369-39.
The whole plant possesses curative compounds, although the juice has higher concentrations in the stem. Callisia juice contains two groups of flavonoids, quercetin, and kaempferol.
Quercetin has antioxidant and anti-allergic properties and reduces the permeability of the capillaries and stabilizes membranes. It is used to treat inflammatory diseases, arthritis, arthrosis, bronchial asthma, allergic skin, mucous diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
Kaempferol is used as a tonic, capillary-reinforcing, and as a diuretic. It is used to treat urinary system and allergic diseases.
In addition to flavonoids, Callisia has a group of steroids. Steroids act as biological controls to help the body stimulate protein synthesis cells, contributing to the early renewal of muscle tissue cells. Callisia fragrans highly active substances, such as beta-sitosterol, helps reduce cholesterol levels in the blood and to strengthen and cleanse the walls of blood vessels. It is used for the treatment of atherosclerosis, metabolic diseases, the endocrine system, inflammations of the prostate, etc.
In addition to flavonoids and steroids, Callisia fragrans include various vitamins and minerals. There is vitamin C, vitamin B2 (riboflavin) V15 (Pantothenic acid), and vitamin RR (nicotine acid). It also contains the micronutrients copper, iron, nickel, among others.
Callisia fragrans on 10-11-17, #382-20.
Tha Callisia fragrans sure produced A LOT of new plants by the time cooler temperatures arrived in October. Now I was wondering what I was going to do with it over the winter in the house.
Callisia fragrans in the dining room on 12-30-17, #396-4.
I decided that the only place to put it was in the dining room on top of this stand. It was tall enough to allow the trailing stems to hang.
<<<<2018>>>>
Callisia fragrans sending out a bud on 6-4-18, #453-5.
The Callisia fragrans has really been a very interesting plant. Then on June 4, I noticed one of the plants on a stem was starting to flower. I have also noticed, for me anyway, that once the parent plant gets a certain height it doesn’t seem to grow anymore. After a year or so, it isn’t very attractive. It has lost all its lower leaves leaving only a few on top and all the stems with new plants hanging down. I had been wondering about putting all the plantlets in their own pots and cutting off the older stem and regrowing it.
Callisia fragrans flowers on 7-12-18, #476-6.
This one “plantlet” became really serious about flowering.
Callisia fragrans on the potting table on 7-12-18, #476-11.
Since the Japanese Beetles wreaked havoc with the Chinese Elm trees, I had to move my potted plants to the front porch and the potting table to the back porch. The plant tables and the potting table were behind a shed under one of the larger elm trees. The beetles started chewing on a few plants not to mention they turned a shady area into nearly full sun.
The Callisia fragrans have been bothering me for a while, so on July 12 I decided I would work on it
Callisia fragrans cutting on 7-12-18.
I removed all the stems with the plantlets on them then removed the plantlets from the stems. Most of them had already started growing a few roots. I also cut off the main stem just below where the leaves were.
Callisia fragrans cuttings in their own pot on 7-12-18, #476-8.
Some of the plantlets were pretty small, so I only re-potted the larger ones. Now there were eleven new pots plus the old stem still in its pot. I wonder what it will do now that it has no leaves?
The new plants didn’t blink a bit and are all doing just fine as of July 25 on the plant table on the front porch.
Callisia fragrans on 7-29-18, #487-25.
Ummm… Almost makes me speechless!
Callisia fragrans on 8-26-18, #499-11.
One thing is for certain, I have found out this plant is definitely a survivor. Not only did the plantlets readily take root, they are now sending out their own runners. The one that started flowering at the end of May still has flowers. Imagine flowers lasting for over three months! Not only that, but the smaller plantlets I discarded and didn’t put in any soil were STILL alive! I gave quite a few of them to Mrs. Wagler since I didn’t need them all.
<<<<2020>>>>
Callisia fragrans on 10-15-20, #747-15.
I have been fairly busy the past couple of summers so I didn’t take many plant photos in 2019 or 2020. My plants survived on neglect just fine. The Callisia fragrans did just fine on the front porch and would have liked to have a little more water than it had, but they proved to be fairly drought-tolerant.
Callisia fragrans on 10-15-20, #747-16.
I must tell you I have thoroughly enjoyed all the comments and emails I have received about this plant. It is very encouraging when I plant I have written about gets so much response.
Callisia fragrans on 10-15-20, #747-17.
I have really enjoyed my Callisia fragrans companion. Watching it grow has been very interesting for sure.
Over the winter, the two pots and their family are on a shelf in my bedroom in front of a west-facing window. They get plenty of light but not direct sun from that window this time of the year. The plants that need more light are on a shelf in front of a south-facing window in a cool bedroom.
Once I brought the potted plants inside for the winter in 2022, I decided to put the Callisia fragrans on the plant shelf in the back bedroom. The south-facing window will give them more sun. I keep that part of the house fairly cool over the winter.
<<<<2023>>>>
Callisia fragrans (Grandpa’s Pipe) on 10-25-23, #969-1.
I bought the potted plants inside for the winter on 10-25-23. We had a very hot and dry summer, but the potted plants still did very well. I have been very neglectful of several plants, including the Callisia fragrans… I did finally get the plantlets removed and put in their own pots now they are spending the winter in front of a west-facing window.
I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, I would like to hear from you. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant. If you notice I made an error, please let me know in the comment section. You can email me at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com.
FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
DAVE’S GARDEN
GARDENING KNOW HOW
PLANTS RESCUE
EWA IN THE GARDEN
THE NATIONAL GARDENING ASSOCIATION
HERBAL USES:
The Belmont Rooster 
As an avid plant enthusiast I was given a starter clipping from a grandpa’s pipe. My first and know nothing of them. I’m hoping your tips will be helpful in getting this plant established. Very interested in the medical benefits of this.
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Hello Wayne! Callisia fragrans is very easy to grow as you can tell from my post. If you check out the links at the bottom of the page, you will find several that may assist you better. I don’t know how long you have had your plant, but they send out runners which produce offsets you can later make more plants from. Glad to hear from an avid plant enthusiast! Thanks for the comment and feel free to ask more questions if the links don’t help. I would like to see a photo of your plant. You can attach in an email to thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com.
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I call these my “Little Shop of Horror” plants. I have had them in Arizona inside for almost four years, and two parent plants (2 1/2 to 3ft tall) just gave me my first Flower Spikes in November, 2020. Still waiting for them to bloom at almost New Year’s. I am about to repot all of the plants in a big corrugated half barrel with tall sides. I figured I could brace the tall parents (6 of them!) with 2×4 and give somewhere for all the arms to go. I’m glad i am not the only one who has this crazy plant. I have one Vanilla Bean i need to repot and drape around 2×4 as well. Cheers! Alene Nelson
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Hello Alene! You would be surprised how popular this plant is. I have been shocked. To date, I think this page has had more activity than any other with 3,378 views. It has been in the top four for months and many times it has been #1. In all honestly, when I first brought it home and it started sending out runners I became pretty concerned it would take over. LOL! The flowers are weird and they last a very long time but it does take a while for you to realize the “buds” are flowers… Mine only flowered once in 2018 and, as you have seen on the page, it was not the main plant that bloomed. It was an offset. I have two pots currently with plenty of offsets and runners, sitting on a shelf in my bedroom. I look at it when I walk by and always wonder what I am going to do with it next… If you can, send a photo to my email at thebelmontrooster@yahoo.com. Take care and thanks for the comment!
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I’ve been trying to find info about this plant and decided it was a type of Bromeliad. Someone gave me 2 cuttings and it quickly grew roots in the soil. It’s in a lot of sun and some shade right now. I think I will move it over to get a bit more shade. It looks like ariel roots are forming, or maybe it’s just developing new leaves. Anyway, thanks for the info!
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Hello Janet! Callisia fragrans isn’t a Bromeliad. It is a member of the Spiderwort family. Light to part shade is best for them I think but I have never had their leaves burn in too much sun. The “aerial” roots are new offsets forming and will have new plantlets on the ends… Thanks for the comment and enjoy your plants!
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What happened with the leafless stump??
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Hello Will! Well, the old stem never grew any more leaves all summer. It doesn’t feel like it died because it is still firm. Strange. I am not going to discard it because you just never know. I have more photos I need to add to this page. Do you have this plant? If not, I know where you can get one. Thanks for the comment!
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Very helpful! I was wondering about the stem now. Did it ever grow?
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Hello there! I did put them in soil and they are slowly growing. Since it is spring and the plants are outside now, they will start growing much faster. This is a very interesting plant to grow. Do you have them? Thanks for the comment and thanks for visiting.
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That is good to hear! I have one that has shoots of varying sizes so I’m excited about what spring and summer may bring from it! Indeed, it’s very interesting. It sat in water for over a year, but once I put it in soil, it took off growing. It has taken it a while to grow (but I assume it’s because it sat in water for so long–with no roots!!). I’m still learning how to care for it. I have quite a few leaves with dry spots on them. So I’m trying to get watering and light right for them. I’m in Cleveland, Ohio and the weather is so unpredictable, but I wanted to ‘behead’ (for lack of a better term) it and plant it outside. I read it’s invasive, but I don’t have any plants outside for it to invade 🙂 And thank you for the information. I’ve been having a hard time finding info for this plant that was consistent. Then I found you!!
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Hello there! Interesting you had it in water for so long and it didn’t grow roots. I know once I put the offsets in water they take right off without any hesitation. I have not grown them in the ground, but I suppose they would do quite well. You just have to bring them in before a frost or they would be no more. Thanks for visiting The Belmont Rooster and Thanks for the comment!
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Hello. I am interested in buying a plant.
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Hello Emma. I sent you an email. There are several listings on Ebay. Take care and thanks for your interest in the Callisia fragrans.
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Where can I purchase this plant.. grandfathers pipe…I got one as a gift years ago..would love to have another or 2
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Hello Deborah! They are available on Ebay. Take care and thanks for visiting!
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Please advise if you have any Callisia fragrans for sale. I kept it since 1983 when a member of a garden club gave one to me. I lost it due to an unexpected frost, thinking it was protected.
Regards
Joanne Mitchell
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Hello Joanne! I will be happy to send you a Callisia fragrans.
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I’m so excited to find the name and info about this plant. I’ve had it a little while & recently repotted it and it has grown like crazy and now has 5 shooters.
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Hello Kay! It is a neat plant for sure and very easy to grow. You will have plenty to share. You will always need to keep at least one for yourself so you will always have one in case the parent plant fizzles out. I am glad you enjoyed this page and info and thanks for the comment!
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Hi Rooster, I just bought one. I’ve been looking for ages for this plant as it looks like an interesting ground cover for my climate. So was delighted to find two rosettes of it in mini pots. I instantly knew I had found the right plant because at first touch it seemed to be a bromeliad but on closer inspection it wasn’t! That’s how I could tell, far too juicy for a brom.
However like your “Grandpa’s pipe” label mine is got sticker saying “Fairy green Callisia” which also defies absolutely all internet references, so must be either extremely new or extremely rare or made up. I did find the ordinary Callisia fragrans.
“Fairy green” has pale silver green centre with darker emerald green wavy margins so is absolutely rather fairy like, almost like it is in the process of taking off!
I have just planted it out where it will get three hours sun or so in the morning. We are very humid which I’m not sure it will love being only sub-tropical but it’s worth a try. The sun shouldn’t be a problem with the humidity if the humidity doesn’t kill it first lol. It seems to do well in Hawaii so that’s promising for me. Second hurdle will be our torrential monsoon rains in the wet season, anyway thats next year so at least it may establish meantime.
Thing is the more sun the better I read. Obviously depending on your climate. I shouldn’t think that would be the case in a place like Arizona. Still as much sun as it will take in your climate the better because that restricts two things, the height of the rosettes and the length of the runners, so it forms a neat compact ground cover in the ground or in a big pot. Too much shade and it may be lanky and spidery.
Well funny thing this plant because although it’s not tremendously interesting it is tremendously lovely and desirable. And definately more unusual for being a Callisia. Then there are the flowers too which make quite a show judging by the examples on the internet and here, that last and last as you say. Definitely a worthy rare find for any gardener or pot plant enthusiast, and so easily over looked. Im just so glad I new what it was or I might have not even bought it. So glad I did, now fingers crossed on all fronts.
Thanks for your blog entry I love your enthusiasm for this plant. I gather your winters are quite chilly, hope you find a place for all those offsets. Any spare window sills in bright light? The joy of indoor gardening, I remember so well. Hen and chickens did me, they thrived. LOL
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Hello Anton! Glad to hear you found a couple of Callisia fragrans. They are quite interesting plants and I hope they do well for you and you get the effect you desire. The plants at the greenhouse here weren’t labeled but she told me the name. You may want to put a couple of its runners in pots just to be on the safe side. Let me know how they do. Thanks for the comment and thanks for visiting! Hope to hear from you again.
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Wow, lot of info about the plants and their benefits. This is one I will be visiting often come spring. It’s basically a dead zone in NJ winter.
Thank you so much for stopping at my space. Good Luck!!
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Hello Smitha! This plant is very interesting for sure. I will be looking forward to your visits! Thanks for the comment!
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All those free plants from one…amazing! Wonderful information as always!
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Hello Diane! Yep… They are a neat plants and can multiply A LOT. Interestingly, I think this page gets more views than any other on the blog. Thanks for the comment!
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Thank you so much for sharing! I am starting to expand my collection of houseplants and recently discovered this one. Definitely adding it to my wish list!
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Hello Nona! This is a great plant for sure for many reasons. Be prepared for plenty of offsets to share. I think I have had more views on this plant’s page than any other. If you have problems finding one, let me know and I arrange shipment in the spring. Thanks for the comment!
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HI! A friend of mine had a Grandpa’s Pipe and gave me a runner from it, said to break it into pieces and stick them in the dirt. Well that was years ago and now i nave plants coming out of several pots haha I have never seen it bloom though. Do you have a picture of the flowers? I have friends who are interested in this plant as well
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Hello Cher! A photo of the flowers is on the page from 2018, #476-6. There is a lot of interest in this plant which is a good thing since they multiply so well. I hope you have continued success! Thanks for visiting and thanks for the comment!
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I got a grandfather’s pipe from a local farmers market and the lady didnt tell me anything about light or watering, this blog was so beneficial in doing that. I have an apartment that doesnt get direct light so im really nervous on where to put it. Would a uv plant light help with it? My cat likes to chew on the leaves so i have to keep it secluded from most windows in my apartment. Any tricks or tips would help! But it sure is a plant that survives
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Hello Katelynn! I am glad to hear you found a Grandpa’s Pipe. They don’t seem to be really particular about light. Just water when the soil is dry like most plants. Mine get neglected from time to time, especially during the winter, and they don’t seem to mind that either. Right now, mine are sitting on the dining room table about 8 feet from the sliding door which doesn’t get direct light (east-facing with a roof on the porch). During the summer they will be on the front porch in light/part shade. If your window doesn’t get direct light you will be fine, or even just fairly close to a window. If your cat is chewing on the leaves it may just because it is new or it has found a new toy, especially if your cat is young. My older cat ays no attention to plants, but when the kittens were in the house that was a different story. Thanks for the great comment and feel to ask any further questions if needed. Good luck!
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Ahh unfortunately my cat is an adult she just loves chewing on my plants aha. I havent seen any growth and I was wondering what I could do to make room for growth? Maybe a bigger pot? I’ve had him since August but no luck. Thanks for your help!!
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They really don’t grow that much during the winter months. I suspect you will have a lot of growth starting then and during the summer. Check the roots to see how rootbound they are before putting your plant in a larger pot which you may not even want to do until spring before it starts growing. Maybe a 6-6 1/2″ pot. Keep me posted on your progress!
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Just wanted to say I really enjoyed this post! I’ve had a callisia fragrans for several years and I love how bountiful the plantlets are – they’re so fun to give away because it’s an uncommon plant (or at least in Chicago, where I live).
I saw that you live in Missouri – I grew up in Jefferson City, and my extended family all lives in Rich Hill.
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Hello Marti! It is a pretty neat for sure and it sure geta a lot of attention. Would you believe 1,842 views for this page? I am glad you enjoyed the post and enjoy growing and sharing this plant. Great to hear from a fellow Missourian and that you have family nearby. Thanks for the visit and the comment! Take care!
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Thank you so much for the story about this unique plant I was given one a couple of month’s ago & it’s been a long time since I have had one & kinda forgot how to care for it & after reading your story I think that I can take care of Grandpa & his pipe now. Thanks again ! & may God Bless You & your story .
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Hello Terry! I am glad you have been given another Callisia fragrans. They are truly unique, easy to care for, and not that picky. I hope it does well for you. Take care and thanks for the comment!
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I had one of these back on the late ‘70s. It grew like crazy for several years. I don’t remember how i managed to loose it but I’m sure i did something stupid. I would love to have another.
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Hello Mike! They are like any plants that do well for a while then just kind of fizzle out. You don’t think about saving some of those offsets when there are a multitude of them. Been there done that. 🙂 Mine has looked very well several times then went downhill just before spring but I always managed to have a few offsets on hand. I have several offsets ready to root and I would be happy to send one. Take care and thanks for the comment!
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Thank you so much for all this great information about the Callisia fragrant plant otherwise known as the grandpa’s pipe. I had one years ago. Been looking ever since. I live in North Carolina, could you tell me where I might find one. The lady that I bought one from years ago, passed away. She was the only one I knew that grew them. Can you help me. I loved them. Watching them grow. I gave away many of them. But I don’t think they really took good care of them
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Hello Cynthia! Thanks for the comment. I am sending you an email.
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Hello, there! I bought one of these years ago, and it was called Dutchman’s Pipe. I love that name! Unfortunately, I wasn’t much of a gardener at the time, and I managed to kill it. Found another one a few years ago, and it’s growing like a weed! It has 10 runners with baby plants. I brought it inside for the winter, and my husband accidentally knocked it over, and the top original plant broke off. Not to worry! More babies were born closer to the base. This thing is indestructible! I ask everyone I see if they want a baby plant. I love my Dutchman’s Pipe!
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Hello Kathie! Glad to hear from you! I am happy to hear your Callisia fragrans is doing so well. They are pretty tolerant of a variety of conditions but I did accidentally kill a few a couple of years ago. I had put several offsets on top of a bookshelf for the winter and basically forgot about them. Other than complete neglect and not enough light, they are pretty tough. You just have to make sure you always save a few offsets because you never know… Take care and thanks for the comment!
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I THINK I have one. I bought off ebay a couple years ago but it’s all brittle and the long vines are brown and peeling…I dont know what to do. Can you PLEASE email me and I can share some photos and see what you think?? Everytime I go to move the vines, they break off. Not sure if its dying or maybe not even one of these amazing plants!! I have wanted one for a LONG time, but not sure what’s going on!!
Love this blog and the pictures and info.
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Hello Jamey! I sent you an email so you can send photos. Thanks for your kind words about the blog. Take care!
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I have several callisia fragrans….I guess they were given to me years ago. Mine get full morning sun and are very happy. I re-work them every couple of years or so and plant up the babies. I keep some and give some away. I just love this plant…. hard to kill even here in Central Texas. I’ve also heard it called basket plant or octopus plant. I like the name octopus plant.
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Hello Terri! The Callisia fragrans is definitely a plant that keeps on giving so you can pass them along. Mine does well in some years and sometimes not. Even though, I still have several and they are doing fairly well this summer. Inside for the winter is sometimes tricky. I haven’t heard them called basket plant or octopus plant, so I’ll have to add them to the list of common names. Take care and thanks for the comment!
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How did your original plant do after you cut it off to just a stump? Did it re-sprout?
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Hello Jean! The original stem did not re-sprout but there are always plenty of new plants. Oddly, I haven’t had a plant since the first one that has grown that tall. Sometimes they do well, sometimes not, but they always produce more offsets. Take care and thanks for reaching out. 🙂
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I was curious if you ever tried tasting it? It seems to have a lot of benefits and may be good to add to salads.?.
Hi Rooster!
I have one that,of course over the past two years has multiplied into about 20, lol. Two have flower spikes and I’m over the moon about that!
Thanks for the information in your blog, it was full of great information!!
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Hello, Amy! I am glad to hear about your great success with this plant. Although this plant does have many health benefits, I am not sure about adding it to salads. Like many medicinal plants that are used for skin issues (like Aloe vera), it’s sap can cause contact dermatitis. For that reason, I don’t think consuming it would be a good idea. I checked several websites over a 20 minute period, and only one website said, “As with many indoor plants, the basket plant purifies indoor air pollutants. Additionally, all parts of the plant are edible and used in herbal remedies. Mature leaves can be cut directly from the plant and chewed to relieve stomach and digestive problems. Callisia is a natural antibiotic, antibacterial and antioxidant.” Hmmm… Personally, I wouldn’t reccomend using it salads. That’s just my opinion. You should make salads from plants grown for salads. 🙂
Take care and thanks for the comment.
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