The spiderworts are among the 600+ species of monocotyledonous herbaceous flowering plants that make up the Commelinaceae family, which consists of 37 genera (Tradescantia sp.). They are thought to have come from the old world tropics, although today they can be found in large numbers in both hemispheres’ subtropics and tropics, with some species even surviving in more moderate settings [4]. Due to their bluish or purplish leaves and/or flowers, these plants are frequently grown for ornamental purposes. However, they are also known to be used ethnobotanically to treat a variety of illnesses, including cancer [8], gastrointestinal disorders, wounds, and mycosal infections [5, 6], which may be related to their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The antibacterial and antioxidant qualities of these plants have, however, only occasionally been mentioned in papers.
As members of the Commelinaceae are typically perennial, evergreen, hardy, and prolific, they are a valuable source of renewable bioactive chemicals. Commelinaceae are less prone to growth, development, and reproduction disorders than plants with inefficient silicon accumulation, such as the Gramineae (rice/wheat) and Cucurbitales (pumpkin/squash) [9]. Because of their quick growth, resilience, and capacity to establish roots at nodes, many species of the Commelinaceae are really regarded as weeds and pests. They can also quickly regrow if untreated and are resistant to the majority of pesticides [4]. These same characteristics, however, also make them a perfect abundant and renewable source for bioactive chemicals.
Our team has previously reported on the antioxidant and antibacterial properties of Rhoeo spathacea (Swartz) Stearn leaves [10]. Two additional R. spathacea cultivars are reported in the current work; this is the first time the bioactivity of these cultivars has been researched. The first is Rhoeo bermudensis, a Tradescantia spathacea “Hawaiian Dwarf” or Rhoeo spathacea nana cultivar of R. spathacea. Its leaves are substantially smaller than those of R. spathacea (Swartz) Stearn, although being physically similar—they are only 1020 cm long as opposed to 1530 cm. The total height of the plant reaches 3045 cm, or around 60 percent of the height of R. spathacea (Swartz) Stearn. It lacks flowers, unlike R. spathacea, but like many other species in the Commelinaceae family, it may quickly spread across the ground and root at nodes [4]. The Hawaiian dwarf or dwarf oyster plant is the common name for it [11]. Rhoeo spathacea var. variegata, also known as Rhoeo spathacea vittata, is a second cultivar that resembles Rhoeo spathacea (Swartz) Stearn but has yellow striations on the upper side of the leaves rather than the bright green upper side of the first cultivar [12].
A low-growing, tetraploid plant with the common names purple heart and wandering jew is Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D. R. Hunt. It is also known by the scientific names purple heart and wandering jew. These characteristics enable it to spread like an invasive weed and quickly colonize different settings [13,14]. As a result, it is frequently cultivated as an ornamental, ground-covering, or hanging plant and is widely dispersed in tropical and subtropical areas [15,16]. T. pallida has also been used traditionally as an anti-inflammatory and anti-toxic supplement, as well as to enhance blood circulation [18], while it is also well known for its ability to eliminate volatile organic pollutants from the air effectively [17].
Similar to T. pallida, Tradescantia zebrina Bosse var. zebrina is a close relative and is widely found in tropical and subtropical areas [19]. It is classified as an invasive plant species. It has round, pointy leaves with silvery, variegated green, and purple lines on the underside [20,21]. Gastrointestinal diseases have historically been treated with T. zebrina [22]. The 15-lipoxygenase pathway, which is linked to asthma attacks, has been shown to be inhibited by T. zebrina in trials conducted elsewhere [23, 24].
The family Commelinaceae includes the all-green plant known as the basket plant, Callisia fragrans Wood. Flavonoids and phytosteroids are among the phenolic substances found in the plant’s runners and leaves. Traditional uses of C. fragrans include the treatment of burns, arthritis, cancers of the skin and oncology, tuberculosis, and asthma [25]. Gallic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, scopoletin, and chicoric acid are phenolic chemicals that have been reported to be present in C. fragrans [26].
Tradescantia pallida – can it be grown inside?
You might wish to add Purple Heart Plant to your collection if you’ve never grown it. It belongs to the same family as the purple-and-silver-green striped Inch Plant and is as simple to grow. The scientific name for T. pallida is Setcreasea purpurea.
Get to Know Purple Heart Plant
This indoor plant is stunning all year round because to its clusters of lance-shaped, deep purple leaves. Purple Heart Pot For a striking table accent, plant in a tiny attractive vase. Alternately, hang it from a basket and let the protruding, long stems hang over the edge.
This plant should be handled with care because its fleshy stems are delicate and susceptible to breaking off. Placing Purple Heart Plant where you won’t bump into it is a smart idea.
Small, three-petaled, pink flowers should blossom throughout the summer. They develop in the leaf axils and stand out strikingly against the dark foliage.
Your plant can remain indoors all year long. However, if you take it outside for the summer, make sure it is protected from the sun’s rays during the hottest time of day. To ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out, inspect it every few days as well.
Growing Tradescantia pallida Indoors
Allow the sun to enter. For healthy foliage color, grow your plant in bright light year-round. Even though it needs less light to thrive, the leaves will still be more green than purple. Give it some direct sunlight, but cover it in the summer from the intense midday sun to prevent leaf blistering.
Squeeze your plant. Keeping Tradescantia pallida compact by pinching off new stem tips will encourage branching. Keep those cuttings because you can easily grow more plants from them. Do not be afraid to cut stems back to a length of around 6 in (15 cm) if your plant starts to droop and develop long gaps between leaves.
When you notice roots poking through the drainage holes in the spring, repotter. To give it a little more area to grow, move up to a pot that is only 1 or 2 inches (2.5 – 5 cm) larger. To avoid damp soil, which causes root rot, use a pot with drainage holes. A stylish planter without drainage holes is what you want to utilize. Use it as a cachepot by placing a simple nursery pot inside of it. Cachepots have pebbles in the bottom to keep them above the drainage water.
Can purple heart be grown indoors?
A fast-growing member of the spiderwort family with dark purple leaves and long purple stems is the purple heart plant (Tradescantia pallida), also known as purple secretia or purple queen. Although the plants also produce tiny pink and purple flowers, it’s the leaves that really stand out.
Plants with purple hearts have several uses. It works well as a trailing border around rock gardens and other enclosed garden settings, as well as a ground cover to provide a pop of foliage and bloom color to your landscaping. It will also flourish in a hanging basket indoors or outdoors or in a planter on the patio.
The native Mexican plant known as the purple heart was previously classified under the genus Setcreasea pallida, but a botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Kew changed its classification to Tradescantia in 1975. The plant is still frequently referred to by its previous names, S. pallida or S. purpurea.
Does Tradescantia pallida spread quickly?
Due of their resilience, these plants are sometimes used as ground cover plantings even though they are popular for pots and hanging baskets. Tradescantia pallida species should be handled carefully if being used as a ground cover. That’s because the most ardent kinds have a tendency to become invasive. To keep it contained in your yard, be sure to select a less rambunctious kind and practice attentive gardening.
These plants are typically ignored by deer, who are not known to browse them in gardens. Purple heart plants, however, are a favorite habitat for several pests. Along with the typical suspects, such as caterpillars, slugs, and snails, keep an eye out for scales, mealybugs, aphids, and vine weevil.
It’s crucial to be aware that some individuals and even some canines may have skin irritation from the juice from the leaves or stems. Although this issue is not very often, it is nevertheless a good idea to be aware of the danger if you, anybody living in your home, or your dog(s) have skin sensitivities.
Is the purple heart plant poisonous to people?
The purple stems of the purple heart (Tradescantia pallida), which bear delicate little clusters of violet to pink flowers, are well named. Although this fast-growing plant has distinctive blooms, many gardeners choose it for its vivid leaves instead. Although the stems and upper leaf surfaces appear to be a deep royal purple color, they may also contain lighter turquoise-gray hues that get darker as the foliage ages. This sprawling, long-jointed shrub is the perfect groundcover for anyone who enjoys purple landscaping.
It is raised as an evergreen perennial in warm regions, giving your yard an annual splash of stunning purple color. Tradescantia pallida is grown as an annual in colder areas. As a houseplant, it is also commonly advertised for sale.
Purple heart is harmful to humans and toxic to pets, producing contact dermatitis, same like other Tradescantia species.
Can purple heart endure the winter?
The slender, folded leaves develop in dense, spreading clumps that reach a height of about 10 inches from erect to trailing, succulent stems. The pinkish hue of the new shoots is perfectly complemented by tiny, fleeting pink blooms that sporadically grow at the stem tips. In mild regions, purple heart looks beautiful all year long. Frost will inhibit top growth elsewhere, but plants can regrowth from the roots. As far north as USDA Zone 6, purple heart may endure the winter months.
Use it in borders, planters, and hanging baskets for an eye-catching color accent. Red, yellow, and orange blooms contrast brilliantly with silver foliage, which pairs well with white or pink blossoms. The plant purple heart is ideal for use as a groundcover. You may wish to maintain it in pots or in locations bordered by pavers because it can spread aggressively in areas where it is hardy. Additionally, it looks fantastic indoors.
Culture: Purple heart may tolerate mild shade, but it prefers a location with wet but well-drained soil and full sun. To promote branching, pinch or trim the shoot tips every few weeks. You may simply start new plants from the bits of the stem that were cut off since they take root quickly.
Special remarks: Purple heart is a drought-tolerant plant that enjoys frequent watering.
Tradescantia pallida is purple—why?
Indications There is not enough light reaching your plant. A few warning signs that your Tradescantia pallida isn’t getting enough light include: The leaves were once purple before changing to green. Growth appears to be slower. The stems and leaves might be slimmer.
What can I do to make my Tradescantia pinker?
Additionally, the Tradescantia genus contains 75 different kinds of wildflowers. The 17th-century botanist John Tradescant is credited with giving the place its name.
The term “wandering” describes how it spreads quickly and roams all over your window sill. They are quite simple to grow indoors. The majority are indigenous to South America, where they form thick mats beneath forest trees.
I put my Fittonia albivenis mosaic plant next to my Tradescantia tricolor to bring out the gorgeous pink hues. The green leaves of this trailing plant have veins that are dark pink. They work well together.
How is a Tradescantia pallida grown?
Tradescantia pallida is a delicate evergreen perennial grown as an ornamental for its eye-catching purple foliage. It is native to northeast Mexico, from Tamaulipas to Yucatan. Joseph Nelson Rose gave it the name Setcreasea pallida in 1911, but D.R. Hunt of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew classed it in the genus Tradescantia in 1975. S. pallida or S. purpurea, the former names, are still frequently used.
This herbaceous plant in the Commelinaceae (spiderwort family) is a low-growing trailer that is commonly known as purple heart or purple heart wandering jew (and occasionally “Moses in the Basket, although this usually refers to a different species). It is hardy in zones 7 through 10, but it is easily grown as an annual or houseplant in colder climates.
On thick stalks, dark purple, lance-shaped leaves up to 7 long are produced alternately. The fleshy leaves create a sheath around the stem and are covered in light hairs. The stems are exceedingly delicate and can snap off when brushed or vigorously kicked. It will wither down to the ground in the winter in colder climates, but in the spring it will reappear from the roots. The sprawling plants can extend much farther and grow to a height of nearly a foot.
At the ends of the stems, relatively unnoticeable pink or pale purple blooms with vivid yellow stamens appear from midsummer through fall, as well as intermittently at other seasons. The three petals on these half-inch broad blooms are characteristic for this genus.
Purple heart can be grown as a houseplant, as a ground cover, as a trailer in a variety of containers, or cascading in baskets. They spread rather quickly and work best when planted in large groups in the ground. The purple foliage complements other plants’ pink, light purple, or burgundy blossoms beautifully and contrasts well with their gold, chartreuse, or variegated leaves. For striking combos, use it with complementing hues. scarlet begonias, orange marigolds, or chartreuse coleus.
Try putting it in a container with golden creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia ‘Aurea’ or other types), Marguerite beautiful sweet potatoes, or light green asparagus fern. Alternately, pair it with coral-colored scarlet sage (Salvia coccinea ‘Coral Nymph’), pink petunias, or lavender or pink verbena. Four o’clocks (Mirabilis jalapa), lantana, scaveola, vinca (Catharantheus roseus), and Mexican petunia are other recommendations for plants with pink or purple flowers (Ruellia brittonia).
For best color development, cultivate purple heart in full sun; plants grown in shadow tend to be more green than purple. Plants can grow more compactly if you pinch them. Plants can withstand drought and grow when neglected, but they also accept constant watering. When you are actively growing, fertilize every month. After flowering, prune plants to keep them from becoming spindly. Reduce watering throughout the winter and hold off on fertilizing houseplants or those grown in containers to be kept indoors during the winter. Scales and mealybugs can be a nuisance, but purple heart has few other pests. Some people and dogs may have skin redness and irritation from the juice from the leaves or stems, but this is not a frequent issue.
Simply push a node into the soil or potting mix to get a cutting from any section of the plant to root, and plants can be readily propagated (or place in water until roots develop). This plant can also be grown from seed, however that material is infrequently accessible.