The Callisia navicularis plant (chain plant) is easy to grow, which makes it an excellent beginner’s plant, but it possesses some unique features that may also make it attractive to houseplant veterans.
Sometimes called a Tradescantia navicularis, the plant is native to Mexico and is something of a chameleon, depending on where you decide to grow the plant.
The chain plant is quite at home in gardens, but it’s also happy to hang out in the house, too. When grown outdoors in northern climates, the chain plant will grow as an annual, which means it dies when the weather freezes.
If you’re in a region where the temperature doesn’t dip much below freezing (say hardiness zone 10 or above), the plant will live as a perennial rather than dying at the end of the year.
One of the most interesting facets of this uniquely shaped plant is that the conditions in which you grow it can change its appearance. If you place the plant in a sunny place, the leaves will grow quite close together.
However, if you reduce the amount of light it receives, the petals on each of the plant’s vines will begin to grow more spread out as the plant searches for more light.
The Callisia Navicularis or Chain Plant
| Scientific Name | Callisia navicularis |
| Common Name(s) | Chain Plant, Tradescantia Navicularis |
| Family | Commelinaceae |
| Size | At least 12″ with vines |
| Light | Bright indirect light or partial sun |
| Soil | Succulent soil mix plus pumice |
| Water | Water gently and prevent soil from drying out |
| Temperature | Frost tolerant (30 degrees Fahrenheit) |
| Humidity | Average humidity |
| Fertilizer | Not required when regularly repotted |
| Propagation | Small cuttings planted after the end callouses |
| Pests & Diseases | Mealy bugs, spider mites, aphids |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic to pets and people when ingested |
Callisia Navicularis Quick Care Guide
The Callisia navicularis or chain plant enjoys a bright window but can’t tolerate sitting in direct sunlight all day.
The plant will thrive on a table just a few feet away from a window. Chain plants like regular watering, and you’ll know when to water the plant when the soil becomes dryish but not parched.
As for fertilizing, you don’t absolutely need to fertilize a Callisia navicularis. However, they will respond favorably to occasional fertilizing during the growing season (late spring through early fall).
Use succulent potting mix when potting a chain plant, or add some pumice or perlite to help drainage.
All About Caring for the Callisia Navicularis “Chain Plant”
The Callisia navicularis is a succulent that grows grayish-green leaves on vines and will grow quite a lot of these leaves when given enough sun. The plant will thin out and grow rather spindly if you put the plant in a dim corner of your home.
The plant remains green all year long and will grow lavender or pink flowers in the summer. In warm climates, the plant grows rather well outside, but it’s also a popular houseplant for virtually any climate.
The plant isn’t particularly difficult to care for, but you’ll grow a beautiful chain plant when you follow a few simple rules on lighting, watering, soil composition, and feeding.
Callisia Navicularis Care
Light
The Callisia navicularis is a succulent that enjoys some sunlight but not a ton each day. If you live near the ocean and regularly see overcast, cloudy, or foggy days, you can hang your Callisia navicularis in a sunny window.
However, if you live in a drier area with lots of sunlight, you might want to limit the number of hours of direct sunlight the plant receives each day.
You can even place your chain plant right outside the direct sunlight, and it should grow well with ample bright light throughout the day.
Water
The Callisia navicularis needs a medium amount of water and shouldn’t dry out too much or remain too moist. Always water the soil rather than the leaves to make the most of the water. Plants drink through their roots, not their leaves.
If you’re not sure how much to water your chain plant, try giving it a drink once a week. If the soil dries out completely by the end of the week, try watering the plant a day earlier.
If the soil remains damp for the week, try increasing the schedule by a day or giving the plant a little less water with each watering.
Soil
Callisia navicularis enjoy soil that drains well, so your best bet is some cactus or succulent potting mix from your garden center. The best way to describe ideal chain plant soil is “course” rather than soft.
Make sure the pot has a few drainage holes in it so the soil doesn’t become waterlogged.
If you don’t have any succulent potting soil handy, you can use any soil you might have and add some sand or perlite to the mixture to aid in draining. The soil should dry out (but not crack) by the end of the week when it’s time to water the plant again.
Fertilizer
Fertilizing the Callisia navicularis is optional because the plant can survive without it as long as it gets the right amount of light and water. However, you can add some liquid fertilizer drops to your water to encourage swift growth.
If you do decide to fertilize the plant, make sure that the food you choose is meant for succulents and cactuses or has a low level of nitrogen. You can also encourage more growth by giving the plant a larger pot.
Propagation
The easiest way to propagate a chain plant is to cut a stem off and use it to make a new plant. Cut a stem that has at least a few leaves on it and allow the cutting to sit for a few days until the end calluses.
You don’t need to put it in water to grow any roots before putting it in some soil.
The stems should develop roots in about two months. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and consider putting a plastic bag on top of the pot to help it retain moisture. You shouldn’t need to water the cuttings too often in those first few months.
Troubleshooting
Overwatering or Underwatering
A Callisia navicularis that starts to die is usually receiving too much or too little water. Getting the watering schedule just right is one of the most important parts of becoming a successful Callisia navicularis plant parent.
A sign that you might be watering the plant at an improper interval is brown leaves and stems. Check the soil when you water it to see if it’s still damp or parched.
Don’t water the plant if the soil is damp, and consider watering it more often if the soil is very dry.
If you catch the brown leaves early, you can usually save the plant.
However, if too many leaves fall off the plant and most of its stems turn brown, you may need to take a cutting from the plant and try to make a new Callisia navicularis from it.
Not Enough or Too Much Sun
Other than improper watering, the other common reason a plant may start to die is because of too much sun. Callisia navicularis are generally tolerant of low light conditions and will change shape as they stretch to try and find the sun.
However, too much sunlight can cause problems, too.
The easiest way to determine whether a chain plant is receiving too much sun is to look at its leaves. If they start to turn brown and feel crispy, the plant is probably sitting in the sun for too long each day.
Oddly, too much sunlight may even stunt the growth of the Callisia navicularis. You may wish to move the plant each season to ensure it gets the proper amount of sun all year.