Find Your Ask the Expert: What is this plant?
I have had this plant for 16 years. It belonged to my mother. It was given to her by her mother. I have no idea how old it is, but I love it. I seem to have a green thumb but I have no knowledge of plants. I hope you can help me. Thank you so much.
Jeri
Jeri,
I believe the plant in the photo is a Callisia fragrans or a Tradescantia spathacea.
Tradescantia spathacea enjoy bright filtered light. keep the soil moist during the growing season (spring and summer) and a little drier in the winter. Apply a balanced fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing season. Pinching the plant will stimulate bushiness.
Callisia fragrans enjoys the same conditions as the Tradescantia but will tolerate ia little less light.