---
title: "This plant’s long vines log great but the leaves at the base are the…"
description: "This plant’s long vines log great but the leaves at the base are the exact opposite. What am I missing?"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/650c7f8f6071f9021e63daaa"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "HiddenInTheSound"
published: "2023-09-21T17:38:23.656Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yeVYfqRenRs5AeTG5ocAsNBBX7aU0mT7mmZgnLZ99aQ/758a71fd80334e739535ffcbd6dd04bf.webp?size=large"
---

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# This plant’s long vines log great but the leaves at the base are the…

_Posted by HiddenInTheSound on 2023-09-21_

This plant’s long vines log great but the leaves at the base are the exact opposite. What am I missing?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/yeVYfqRenRs5AeTG5ocAsNBBX7aU0mT7mmZgnLZ99aQ/758a71fd80334e739535ffcbd6dd04bf.webp?size=large)

## 7 comments

### Danika commented on 2023-09-21

Simply the direction of the light source. Less light at the back means less growth.

If you want it to look equally lush 360, you would need to turn your plant a 1/4 turn like every week or so.

### Mullein commented on 2023-09-21

I think that tradescantia leaves just don’t last forever. The oldest ones near the roots have probably died. Giving it a big haircut might stimulate the old parts of the vines to activate growth nodes. In that case, you could propagate the trimmings too. I know that’s kind of easier said than done with these small delicate plants, but it’s an option. Maybe someone else has a secret hack that’s easier

#### Danika replied on 2023-09-21

Yes this is also true. I have to constantly cut mine back and re-prop into the pot. Its a bit of work every few months but keeps a nice full plant as it grows out.

### Sunny commented on 2023-09-22

Looks like a Callisia repens, a cousin to the tradescantia plants. It’s an aggressive grower. It needs a monthly mani-pedi to keep its shape and keep it in control!😁  
I’ve have about eight of them and they are unruly. They will drop midsection and older leaves if they get too dry for too long. Those leaves won’t regrow. You have to cut back past the dead leaf sections and regrow new vines. Luckily, they grow fast. They will quickly recover.

#### Sunny replied on 2023-09-22

Here is the Callisia Repens Gold form. It was a beautiful gold tipped globular shape three months ago when I bought it. 😆

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wefqOljjhEOiS9LRzOB1-QhxkVJiB4A5DGumXhnNrhs/34995263c27d4d149bf11e9990075794.webp?size=large)

#### Sunny replied on 2023-09-22

The plant about a month after I bought it. It needed a haircut back then. ✂️

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wefqOljjhEOiS9LRzOB1-QhxkVJiB4A5DGumXhnNrhs/21881ba9f1c344a1856286245f588319.webp?size=large)

### Lucia commented on 2023-09-23

What is this??

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