How to Grow and Care for Bolivian Jew

Callisia repens, a fast-growing and trailing plant, is often recognized by its common names, including Bolivian Jew, Turtle Vine, or Creeping Inch Plant. It features delicate, small leaves that are green on top and frequently display a rich purple hue underneath. This plant’s rapid growth and cascading habit make it a popular selection for hanging baskets, and it also serves well as a dense ground cover in larger pots.

Core Care Requirements

Light

To maintain its compact growth and the vibrant purple coloring on its leaves, Callisia repens requires bright, indirect light. An ideal placement is near an east-facing window where it can receive gentle morning sunlight. Insufficient light will cause the plant to become “leggy” and lose its compact shape. It is also important to avoid direct, harsh midday sun, as it can scorch the delicate leaves.

Water

The soil should be kept evenly moist but never waterlogged, as this plant’s semi-succulent nature means it stores some water in its leaves. A reliable method is to water thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry. When watering, continue until water flows from the pot’s drainage holes, then discard any excess collected in the saucer to prevent root rot.

Soil

A standard, well-draining potting mix is suitable for this plant. You can use a commercial mix for houseplants or amend standard potting soil with perlite or pumice to improve drainage. The goal is to use a soil that does not retain excessive moisture, which can be detrimental to the roots.

Temperature and Humidity

Callisia repens flourishes in average household temperatures, between 60-85°F (15-29°C). It is not frost-tolerant and should be protected from cold drafts. While it adapts to typical indoor humidity levels, it appreciates an environment with higher moisture, around 40% to 50%. In dry homes, you can increase humidity by placing the pot on a pebble tray filled with water or by grouping it with other plants.

Fertilizer

During the active growing season of spring and summer, this plant benefits from regular feeding. Use a balanced, general-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength every four to six weeks. It is best to water the plant before fertilizing to ensure the soil is damp, which helps prevent root burn. No fertilizer is needed during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth slows.

Maintenance and Propagation

Trimming or “pinching back” the stems encourages the plant to grow fuller and bushier, preventing the stems from becoming too long and sparse. Simply snip the stems at a desired length using clean scissors or your fingertips. The cuttings from this pruning are perfect for propagation, as Callisia repens roots very easily.

To propagate, take stem cuttings that are a few inches long and remove the leaves from the bottom inch of the stem. These cuttings can be placed in a glass of water, where roots will appear within a couple of weeks. Once a healthy root system has developed, the cuttings can be planted in soil.

Alternatively, you can plant the fresh cuttings directly into a pot of moist, well-draining soil. Insert the bare end of the stem into the soil, ensuring at least one node is buried, as this is where roots will form. Keep the soil consistently moist, and the cuttings should establish themselves within a few weeks.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

When stems become elongated with wide gaps between the leaves, it is a sign of insufficient light. This leggy growth occurs as the plant stretches toward the nearest light source. The solution is to move the plant to a location where it will receive more bright, indirect sunlight and prune the stretched stems.

Yellowing leaves are most often a symptom of overwatering. When the soil is consistently waterlogged, it can lead to root rot, which manifests as yellow, mushy foliage. To resolve this, allow the top layer of soil to dry out between waterings and ensure your pot has adequate drainage.

If the vibrant purple hue on the underside of the leaves begins to fade, the plant is likely not receiving enough light. This coloration is most pronounced when the plant is exposed to plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Moving it to a brighter spot will restore the rich color to new growth.

The development of brown, crispy leaf tips or edges is caused by low humidity or underwatering. The plant’s leaves will dry out when the air is too dry or when it isn’t receiving enough water. Increasing humidity around the plant or adopting a more consistent watering schedule can prevent this.