Basket plant, also known as a chain plant or false bromeliad, is a flowering tropical plant with thick, vibrant green leaves, and a preference for shade.

They are primarily grown indoors in cooler climates where they can still thrive with low to medium light and watering every two to three days during the growing season. Just be aware that basket plants will require yearly repotting due to their rapid growth.

Common Name	Basket plant, chain plant, false bromeliad, inch plant
Botanical Name	Callisia fragrans
Family	Commelinaceae
Plant Type	Perennial, herb
Mature Size	12 inches tall, up to 35-inch spread
Sun Exposure	Indirect sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Can tolerate a variety of pH ranges
Bloom Time	Early spring to late summer
Flower Color	White
Hardiness Zones	9-11 (USDA)
Native Area	Mexico

Basket Plant Care

These are the main care requirements you should be aware of when growing a basket plant.

• Plant basket plant in a basket and hang in low to medium light.
• Water every 2 to 3 days throughout the year, except for winter when you can water it less frequently.
• Fertilize every month during the growing seasons (spring, summer, and fall) with a 10-10-10 fertilizer.

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Light

Basket plants are commonly grown indoors in cooler climates, but can still benefit from indirect light. Place them in a location that low to medium light. Be careful not to place your planter too close to the window to avoid scorching the leaves.

If your basket plant is receiving too much sun, its leaves will begin to purple. Keep a lookout for that change if you want to make sure you're providing sufficient light.

Soil and Fertilizer

A potting mix that’s either soil- or peat-based will work best for a basket plant, though you’ll want to amend it with a fertilizer formulated for flowering plants.

If you opt for a fertilizer that is added to the plant’s water source, you’ll need to plan on fertilizing at least once a month. With a slow-release fertilizer, you should be able to get three to four months between every application.

Water

During the spring, summer, and fall, keep your basket plant moist by watering every two to three days. Make sure the pot doesn’t start to accumulate standing water.

During the winter season, cut back on your watering so the top two-thirds of the soil surrounding the plant dries out between watering.

Temperature and Humidity

Because the basket plant hails from a tropical climate, it does best in warm rooms. If you live in a temperate climate where winter temperatures range around 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit, place your plant in a shady spot outdoors during this time in order to encourage their winter rest period.

Types of Basket Plants

• Callisia fragrans: This features green leaves that can turn purple if exposed to sunlight.
• Callisia fragrans melnikoff: This plant is distinguishable by its variegated leaves. As the standard callisia fragrans, their leaves can turn purple in bright sunlight though.

Pruning

Basket plants only require pruning in order to keep their size in check. If you need to prune, simply trim the ends off before the leaf node. The clippings can be used for propagation.

Propagating Basket Plants

Basket plants are easy to propagate, in fact, any part of a stem that touches the soil might soon sprout air roots—no trimming and replanting required.

To create new plants though, use any healthy clipped stem and plant it in moist soil. If you happen to have stems that already have air roots, these are the most ideal clipping for propagation, though any good stem should take.

Ensure any existing roots are planted with ¼ inch between the soil and the leaves. They’re fast growers and should show successful growth within just a couple weeks.

Potting and Repotting Basket Plants

Because basket plants are rapid growers, they will need repotting every year, ideally in the spring. Choose a pot that has plenty of room for growth in order to ensure more frequent repotting.

Bloom Timing, Appearance, and Fragrance

During the months of March through October, basket plants feature tiny blooms of white flowers. The blooms are tiny, highly fragrant (which is where the name callisia fragrans comes from) and numerous. To encourage flowering, be sure to fertilize with a formula specifically geared toward flowering plants.

Common Problems with Basket Plants

Basket plants are beloved for their low-key maintenance needs. They’re easy to care for and have relatively few diseases. That being said, be cautious of overwatering as that is the primary reason you might have issues with your basket plant.

• Browning leaves: Overwatering primarily presents with brown leaves in the basket plant. To avoid this scenario, be sure the plant never sits in water but, instead, remains moist during its prime growing season and is given a sufficient draining period during the winter season.
• Root rot: Root rot is another common ailment associated with overwatering. This can lead to leaf drop, yellowing leaves, and mushy roots.