Gibasis

Family. Commelinaceae.

Origin. Tropics of America.

Description. Gibasis is a perennial herbaceous plant that is often confused with Tradescantia. It has thin creeping stems, often pubescent, with distinct leaf nodes that take root easily when in contact with the soil. The leaves are alternate, sessile, oblong-lanceolate, 2.5 cm long. The leaf blade is dark green on the upper side and purple below, pubescent with small hairs. The flowers are small - only 0.7 cm in diameter, white, pink or red, on long branched peduncles, collected in panicles.

Height. It grows very quickly and the length of its stems reaches 30 - 50 cm.

Home care

Temperature conditions

Keep it warm all year round at a temperature of 18 - 21 ° C. The minimum permissible temperature for this plant is 10 ° C.

Lighting

Gibasis likes bright light without direct sunlight, and can also tolerate partial shade. In winter, provide the bush with direct sunlight for several hours a day.

Care

It grows without much difficulty and loves warmth and humidity. 

Substrate

Nutritious and well-drained, with a fairly high organic content.

Feeding

Regularly, once a month with liquid fertilizer.

Purpose

Used as a ground cover plant at the foot of other plants or as an hanging plant. 

Flowering time

Blooms at different times of the year.

Air humidity

Spray regularly or place the pot on a tray with wet pebbles. In winter, spraying is essential, as the air in the room becomes very dry when the central heating is on.

Soil moisture

The plant must be watered regularly, but the soil should be allowed to dry between waterings. The root system is very sensitive to excess moisture. In winter, slightly reduce the frequency of watering to avoid rotting. 

Transfer

Replant regularly in spring as the bush grows quickly.

Reproduction

Propagated by cuttings about 15 cm long, rooted in a simple glass of water in March-April. The lower leaves should be removed. The seedlings are placed in the soil when the roots reach a length of 3 cm. By layering, as the stems easily root when in contact with the soil.

Note

After 3 years the bush becomes much less beautiful and it is better to replace it with a new one. The branches become bare even with regular pruning.

Pests and diseases

Leaf edges wilt when humidity is low. Stems become limp if overwatered.

The plant can be attacked by mealybugs.