Basket plant (Callisia fragrans)

Also known as: Chain plant, Octopus plant

The basket plant is a popular houseplant known for its low light requirements. It typically has small, fragrant white flowers. When exposed to intense sunlight, its leaves often take on a purplish hue.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Attributes of Basket plant

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb, Vine

Plant Height

15 cm to 25 cm

Spread

60 cm

Leaf Color

Green Red Orange Purple Black

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Flower Color

White

Images of Basket plant

Quickly Identify Basket plant

Rosette-like arrangement of waxy, green leaves, 6-10 inches long (15-25 cm).

Purple hue on leaf underside and upper margins, accentuated in bright light.

Trailing stems that extend along the ground or ascend with support.

Occasional small, white flowers with pleasant fragrance in terminal panicles of three.

Growth varies with light exposure, lying flat in bright light, upright in shade.

Scientific Classification of Basket plant

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Commelinales

Family

Spiderwort

Genus

Roselings

Species

Basket plant

Planting and Growing of Basket plant

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 3 days

Sunlight Requirements

Partial sun

Sunshine Duration

4-6 hours

Ideal Temperature

65-77℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Basket plant?

Water Callisia fragrans until moisture begins to seep from the bottom of the pot, ensuring the soil is evenly damp, not soggy. This approach allows for thorough hydration without drowning the roots. Typically, 250 milliliters per watering should suffice for a medium-sized pot.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Basket plant? ›

What should I do if my Basket plant is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Basket plant? ›

How to save an overwatered Basket plant? ›

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What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Basket plant?

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun, Full shade

Duration of light: 2-6 hours

Partial sun provides the ideal light range, balancing enough light for growth while protecting against sunburn. This condition supports lush foliage and helps the plant maintain its striking appearance.

What is the perfect light condition? ›

How can you achieve this lighting? ›

What benefits does ideal lighting offer? ›

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What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Basket plant?

Ideal Temperature: 65 ~ 77℉

Callisia fragrans thrives best in temperatures between 65°F and 77°F. Maintaining the environment within this range ensures optimal growth, vibrant foliage, and healthy development. The plant's metabolism and photosynthesis processes work efficiently at this temperature, ensuring robust health and resilience against diseases.

What Soil is Best for Basket plant?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Callisia fragrans thrives in soil that allows excess water to escape, preventing root rot. Well-drained soil ensures the plant's roots remain healthy, ensuring robust growth and vibrant foliage. A nutrient-rich soil provides essential minerals and nutrients for Callisia fragrans, promoting lush growth and disease resistance. Incorporating organic matter can enhance soil fertility and support the plant's health. While preferring well-drained conditions, moderate moisture retention is also beneficial. This balance helps in sustaining the plant during dry periods without causing waterlogging after rains. More About Soil→

How to Fertilize Basket plant?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

For Callisia fragrans, it is crucial to use a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) during the growth season. Apply a diluted liquid fertilizer at half strength to ensure nutrients are delivered without overwhelming the soil. A small dosage can go a long way, considering the plant's specific growing conditions. More About Fertilizing Techniques→

How to Prune Basket plant?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

When pruning Callisia fragrans, start by examining the plant for any brown, damaged, or dead leaves and gently remove them with clean scissors. Identify any excessively long stems and trim them back to a leaf node to encourage side growth. Always cut at an angle to facilitate faster healing. To maintain the desired shape and size of Callisia fragrans, trim back overgrown sections of the plant by up to one-third of their length. Focus on creating a balanced look by reducing growth on one side if it's uneven. Pruning helps manage the spread and keeps the plant compact, making it more visually appealing. More About Pruning Techniques→

How to Propagate Basket plant plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Early summer

Choose a robust and healthy stem from the mother plant, ideally with a few leaves and no visible signs of disease or damage. This ensures a higher success rate for propagation.

Using sharp pruning shears, cut a 4-6 inch piece of the selected stem just below a node. Ensure the cut is clean and angled to provide a larger surface area for rooting.

Prepare a potting mix that is well-draining, ideally a blend of perlite and peat moss. Fill a pot with this mix, leaving enough space for the cutting to be planted.

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How to Repot Basket plant plant?

Repotting frequency: every 1-2 years

Callisia fragrans exhibits signs it's time to repot when the roots start circling inside the pot, growth becomes stunted, or water drains too quickly due to overcrowded roots. The best time is during its active growing season in spring or summer, ensuring minimal stress on the plant.

Choose a pot that is 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the current one, ensuring it has good drainage holes. A slightly bigger pot provides the roots with room to expand and aids in preventing waterlogged soil, which is detrimental to Callisia fragrans.

Select a well-draining potting mix, ideally one that includes perlite or sand. This helps maintain adequate aeration and prevents root rot, ensuring your Callisia fragrans can absorb nutrients efficiently and stay healthy.

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Toxicity of Basket plant

Is Basket plant toxic to cat?

The basket plant poses a toxicity risk to cats. When felines consume or come into contact with various parts of this plant, particularly its sap or juice, they may experience poisoning symptoms. Signs of physical discomfort in a cat can signal potential poisoning. While the specific toxins in the plant are not identified, the effects of ingestion can be severe. Given the associated health hazards, it is crucial for cat owners to restrict their pets' access to the basket plant and to obtain prompt veterinary assistance if they suspect poisoning, in order to safeguard the cat's health.

Is Basket plant toxic to dog?

The basket plant is regarded as toxic to dogs. If dogs happen to consume this plant, particularly its sap or juice, they face the risk of poisoning. This situation usually arises when a dog inadvertently eats parts of the basket plant. Upon ingestion, a dog may display a range of symptoms that signal poisoning. These symptoms can encompass vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and other indicators of distress. It is essential for dog owners to vigilantly observe their pets and restrict access to the basket plant to lessen the chances of accidental ingestion. Should a dog ingest the basket plant, it is vital to seek immediate veterinary assistance to ensure the optimal outcome for the affected animal.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.

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