The Everlasting Identity Of Bolivian Jews

The Bolivian Jew plant, also known as the Turtle Vine, is a low-growing, evergreen perennial succulent. Native to Central and South America, it has gained popularity in the United States as a ground cover in the southernmost regions and as an annual or indoor plant in cooler areas. The Bolivian Jew plant is easy to grow and care for, with bright, indirect light and regular watering being key to its health.

Bolivian Jew is a perennial ground cover in the southernmost US regions

The Bolivian Jew plant, also known as the Turtle Vine, is a perennial ground cover in the southernmost regions of the US. Native to Central and South America, it has gained popularity in the US as a ground cover in warmer areas and as an annual or indoor plant in cooler climates.

The Bolivian Jew is a low-growing, evergreen perennial succulent, with soft, downy, dark green leaves that are purple on the underside. The leaves grow up to one inch long, and the plant itself grows up to four inches tall, spreading up to four feet or more. The Bolivian Jew produces small white flowers in late spring or early summer.

The Bolivian Jew is easy to grow and can be propagated through seeds or stem cuttings. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It should be watered regularly, but overwatering should be avoided as this can lead to root rot. The Bolivian Jew is suitable for hanging baskets or ground cover and can also be grown indoors in a sunny spot, provided the temperature does not drop below 60°F.

The botanical name for the Bolivian Jew is Callisia Repens, and it belongs to the spiderwort (Commelinaceae) family. It is also known by several common names, including Inch Plant, Creeping Inch Plant, and Wandering Jew. While it is similar in appearance to other plants in the Tradescantia genus, it can be distinguished by its leaves, which are green with purple spotting and a purple underside.

Bolivian Jew is a different species from Wandering Jew

The Bolivian Jew plant, or Callisia repens, is a species distinct from the Wandering Jew plant. While both plants are native to Central and South America, they exhibit several differences in terms of appearance, growth characteristics, and care requirements.

One of the most noticeable distinctions between the two plants is their foliage. The Bolivian Jew plant has small, almost olive-green leaves with a raspberry tinge that continues onto the undersides. In contrast, the Wandering Jew plant typically has green leaves with purple spotting and a purple underside, although some varieties may have green leaves with white stripes and a purple underside.

In terms of growth, the Bolivian Jew plant is a low-maintenance, creeping plant that reaches up to two feet in length. It is characterized by long, creeping vines with small roots growing from frequent branching. On the other hand, the Wandering Jew is a trailing plant with foliage that can grow to be several feet in length, making it a popular choice for horticulture applications.

When it comes to care, the Bolivian Jew plant is relatively easy to maintain. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers high humidity but can tolerate average humidity levels. This plant requires regular watering, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Fertilization once a month during the growing season is recommended. To maintain a compact shape, pinching the stem tips is suggested.

In contrast, the Wandering Jew plant prefers full sun to partial shade and benefits from a constant feed program of 150-200 ppm N. It is important to space pots adequately to allow for light penetration and airflow between the foliage of adjacent plants. Pinching is also recommended to control the height and shape of the Wandering Jew plant.

In summary, while both the Bolivian Jew and Wandering Jew plants share some similarities, they are distinct species with unique characteristics and care requirements. The Bolivian Jew plant, with its smaller size, vibrant foliage, and low-maintenance nature, makes a great choice for hanging baskets or ground cover, while the Wandering Jew, with its trailing foliage, is often favoured for horticulture and decorative purposes.

Bolivian Jew is a low-growing, evergreen, perennial succulent

The Bolivian Jew plant, also known as the Turtle Vine, is a low-growing, evergreen, perennial succulent. Native to Central and South America, it is a member of the spiderwort (Commelinaceae) family. This trailing plant typically grows to a height of 4 to 12 inches, with long, creeping, low-growing stems that can stretch up to 2 feet. The stems frequently branch out, and small roots grow from these branches. The Bolivian Jew plant's leaves are soft, downy, dark green on top, and rich purple underneath, growing up to 1 inch in length.

The Bolivian Jew plant is easy to grow and can be propagated through seeds or stem cuttings. It thrives in bright, indirect light and well-drained soil. Watering should be regular, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not soggy. During the summer, liquid fertiliser can be provided every 10 to 14 days to encourage dense foliage. The Bolivian Jew plant is suitable for hanging baskets or ground cover and can also be grown as a low-maintenance houseplant.

While the Bolivian Jew plant is generally resistant to most pests, low humidity can attract red spider mites, which build their webs along the stem tips. To address this issue, misting the foliage is recommended. It is important to note that the plant is toxic to both cats and dogs, so it should be kept out of their reach.

The Bolivian Jew plant is a beautiful and unique addition to any garden or indoor space, providing a vibrant display of colours and a trailing growth habit. With the proper care, it can be successfully grown and maintained.

Bolivian Jew is resistant to most pests

The Bolivian Jew plant, also known as the Turtle Vine, is a low-growing, evergreen perennial succulent. It is resistant to most pests, although low humidity will attract red spider mites, which like to build their webs along the stem tips. Misting the foliage makes the plant less attractive to these pests.

The Bolivian Jew plant is native to Central and South America and has gained some popularity in the United States as a perennial ground cover in the southernmost regions and as an annual or indoor plant in cooler areas. It is an easy-to-grow plant, similar in appearance to Tradescantia fluminensis and the striped inch plant (Callisia elegans). However, it can be differentiated by its leaves, which are green with purple spotting and a purple underside.

The Bolivian Jew plant has a variety of nicknames, including the Creeping Basket Plant and the Itsy Bitsy Inch Plant. It typically grows to a height of 4 to 12 inches, with long, creeping, low-growing stems that can stretch up to 2 feet. The stems have frequent branching, from which small roots grow. The small, alternating leaves are densely packed and decrease in size the further they are from the plant's core.

The Bolivian Jew plant prefers full sun to partial shade and bright, indirect light. It thrives in temperatures not lower than 60°F and requires well-drained soil. It should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry, but care should be taken not to overwater it. While it is resistant to most pests, the Bolivian Jew plant is susceptible to spider mites and mealybugs and can also be affected by root rot if overwatered.

Overall, the Bolivian Jew plant is a beautiful and low-maintenance addition to any home or garden. With its bright colours and vining growth habit, it is a popular choice for those looking to add a touch of nature to their living space.

Bolivian Jew is toxic to cats and dogs

The Bolivian Jew plant, also known as the Turtle Vine, is toxic to cats and dogs. It contains calcium oxalate crystals, which are harmful to most pets when ingested. While it may not cause serious injury, it can lead to skin or bowel irritation in cats and vomiting or diarrhoea in cats and dogs.

The most common symptom of poisoning in pets is a dermatitis-like skin irritation, causing them to scratch incessantly. This can occur on the stomach (from laying on the plant), under the chin, or any other body part that comes into contact with the plant.

To protect your pets from the Bolivian Jew plant, keep it out of their reach. You can grow it in hanging baskets or on high shelves, but be aware that cats can be very agile and may jump to reach it. Pruning the plant regularly will also help to keep your pets safe.

If your cat or dog does come into contact with the plant, you can treat any skin allergies or irritation with a bath or by applying aloe vera gel to the affected area. If they show any signs of digestive problems, consult your veterinarian.

It is important to note that the Bolivian Jew plant is also known as the Wandering Jew plant, which is considered offensive by some people.

Frequently asked questions