These plants are natives of Mexico. Callisia elegans is a low growing plant that has olive-green, velvety, leaves that are striped on top and have white and purple underneath. This is a good groundcover for mild, moderately dry climates. Callisia fragrans has shiny, green leaves that will turn purplish at the edges when placed in strong light. They both have small, white fragrant flowers.

These plants flourish in partial shade in rich, well-drained soil where a minimum temperature of 55-60 degrees is maintained and the air is somewhat humid. The soil should be pretty moist at all times, but especially so in the summer. When the plants have developed a good root system, diluted liquid fertilizer can be fed at weekly intervals.

These plants should be repotted in the spring. Cuttings inserted in sand or peat moss and sand can be used to increase these plants or it can be done by division.

Callisia elegans;
Callisia fragrans.

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