Turtle vine is one of the fastest plants to grow at your home. They can reach great lengths in a very short period of time. Turtle vines are also one of the easiest plants to propagate. Not to mention, they look wonderful in hanging pots. In India, two types of turtle vines are the most common - the evergreen turtle vine and the one with a dark purple hue on the underside of the leaf. Turtle vine pink lady is another rare variant in India.
These plants are native to Central and South America.
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Common Name |
Turtle vine, Creeping inch plant, Evergreen Turtle vine, Bolivian Jew |
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Botanical Name |
Callisia repens |
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Family |
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Plant Type |
Vine |
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Sun Exposure |
Shade, partial shade |
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Soil Type |
Moist but well-drained |
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Toxicity |
All parts of this plant are toxic to dogs and cats when ingested |
Characteristics
Turtle vine plants are succulents with delicate leaves and stem. They are runners/vines therefore can be beautifully adorned in a hanging basket.
Turtle vine care
Turtle vine does well in shade/partial shade. They would grow well if placed in indirect sunlight.
Water requirements may change depending on the climate conditions. As there are succulents they do not require a lot of water. But when you water the plant, water thoroughly and allow the excess water to sweep out through the drainage hole. A well-drained soil with drainage holes does the job. Water only when the soil feels dry when touched.
You can also look for other signs like brown tips which could be a sign of underwatering or direct sunlight.
I had propagated the turtle vine from a single strand as shown in the below picture. Its that easy to grow a turtle vine.
Pruning Turtle vine
Once or twice a year, you can observe that your turtle vine starts dying( the plant starts to dry up) and looks like in the below picture. I have had turtle vine for more than three years now, so it's safe to say I have some experience with reviving these turtle vine plants.
This is a sign that you have to repot the entire plant. Yes, you heard me right. There is no other way to save the plant.
Turtle vine Propagation
- Trim the turtle vine strands from the bottom.
- If the strands are of length greater than 6 to 8 cm, you can further cut them to propagate. This way we can grow bushy turtle plant vine.
- Place all the turtle vine near the edges of the pot and cover them with a layer of soil. Avoid placing the soil deep into the soil. These vines has a shallow root system so its best to place them near the top soil.
- Water thoroughly and wait for the plants to grow.
