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.
How is a purple heart plant cared for indoors?
Height: Up to 2 feet (60 cm) long, upright-growing stems eventually trail over the side of the pot.
Bright light is required to preserve the dark purple hue. While some direct sunlight is acceptable, protect your plant from the intense summer sun. Tradescantia pallida needs more sunshine if the intervals between the leaves are long.
Thoroughly water the plant, then wait 1 inch (2.5 cm) to dry out in between applications of water. When growth is slower in the winter, use less water. Cut off the entire stem at the soil line if it is limp or wilted as this may indicate root rot.
Room humidity is average (around 40 percent relative humidity). The brown tips of leaves indicate dry air. Check out these simple methods for increasing humidity around your indoor plants.
Normal to warm indoor conditions (65–80°F/18–27°C) are ideal for this plant throughout the year. In the winter, purple heart can withstand temperatures as low as 50F/10C. Keep away from air vents and drafts coming in through doors.
Feed your plants weekly in the spring and summer with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (such as 10-10-10 NPK).
Take 4 in (10 cm) stem tip cuttings for propagation in the spring or early summer. In moist potting soil, they’ll root with ease.
How frequently should a purple heart plant be watered?
Purple heart is fairly drought-tolerant once planted, but if it receives regular summer water, it will appear cleaner and more lush. From spring till fall, water it once a week with an inch of water. To keep the roots healthy, let the soil surface dry out in between waterings. Increase watering to twice weekly during periods of high heat or drought if the soil is drying out sooner than usual. In the winter, cut back on watering to once every two weeks, and avoid providing any during rainy weather. Purple hearts growing in pots should also be watered if the top layer of soil becomes dry. Fill the pot with water until the extra drains out of the drainage holes. For this plant, always use containers with drainage holes.
How much sunlight is required by purple heart plants?
Once they are established, tradescantia pallida require minimal maintenance. But if you experience one of these more typical problems, my advice can help you heal them.
Leaves Are Turning Green
Lack of sunshine is the most frequent reason for green leaves on your purple queen plant.
The rich purple color needs to be maintained in the daylight or 8+ hours of bright light indoors each day.
Yellow Leaves
The most common cause of yellowing purple heart leaves is overwatering. When the top few inches of soil are completely dry, give them a drink.
Yellow leaves can also result from extreme light deprivation, a lack of water, or poor nutrition.
Leggy Purple Queen Plant
Long stemmed, leggy growth might be an indication of age or a lack of sunshine. Make sure it receives 8+ hours per day of direct sunlight or bright indoor lighting.
If not, start pruning lanky stems and pinching back fresh tips for spring growth that is more compact.
Brown Leaves
Brown leaves are another typical sign of aging, though they could also be caused by a lack of moisture or low humidity.
Regularly check the soil to make sure it isn’t too dry, and if necessary use a humidifier or pebble tray indoors.
If the centre of the plant is becoming brown, aging is probably to blame. To revitalize it, give it a severe pruning.
The purple heart plant grows outdoors or 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.
Should my purple heart plant be pruned?
Pruning. The plant develops long stems, and because of its rapid development, it can easily become lanky and spindly. Following the blooming time, you should prune it in the warmer months. Because the sap in the stems can burn or irritate the skin, it is important to use sharp scissors and wear gloves.
When is a purple heart repotable?
Due to its slow growth, Purple Heart won’t require frequent repotting. In reality, you won’t need to do it more than once a year, in the Spring, when the plant is in bloom, or as soon as you detect that the roots are beginning to poke through the bottom drainage holes.
Simply carry out the instructions listed below to repot your Purple Heart:
First, thoroughly clean the new pot. To give the plant more room to grow, choose one that has drainage holes at the bottom (this will help prevent wet soil) and is 1 to 2 inches larger than its former pot.
Verify if the soil is nearby in step two. Preferably one that is porous and well-draining, such a soil mixture for succulents or cacti.
Step 3: Carefully take the plant out of its previous container. To do this, press your fingers into the pot’s inside. After that, flip the pot over and remove your Purple Heart. Just be cautious when handling the plant to prevent damage from falling on it or breaking it.
Step 4: Fill the new pot with soil until the bottom is completely covered. To get rid of air bubbles, mash it with your hands and gently shake the pot up and down.
Step 5: Place the plant in the pot’s middle and keep it there firmly. Add more soil with your other hand until the roots are completely buried. To release any trapped air while doing this, be careful to jiggle it gently left and right every so often.
Step 6: After you’re finished, level the dirt by giving it a gentle tap before placing your Purple Heart in the designated spot.
What kind of plant is purple heart?
Purple Heart Flower (Setcreasea pale). a gorgeous succulent with persistent leaves through the summer and fall. It is a robust plant that swiftly spreads and is used as a ground cover.
What size can purple Hearts reach?
Pink blooms are produced by the trailing perennial “Purple Heart” in the summer. It has violet-purple leaves and purple stems. This plant is primarily grown for its foliage, which can grow to a length of 7 inches. For the greatest color, place the plant in direct sunlight with a dry, confined root zone. It works well in hanging baskets, containers, and as a groundcover. It expands to a 16-inch width and 8–12-inch height.
Care
Provide a sunny location with wet soil. Pinch to promote bushiness, and after flowering, prune flower stalks. When there is active growth, water sparingly and fertilize every month.
Propagation
Cut stem tips that are 2 to 3 inches long, place in soil mixture or water, and pot up.
My purple heart is becoming green—why is that?
Indications There is not enough light reaching your plant. The leaves were once purple before changing to green. Growth appears to be slower. The stems and leaves might be slimmer.
Are plants with purple hearts poisonous?
Purple Heart, also known as Tradescantia pallida, is a wonderful and vibrant houseplant. It comes from Eastern Mexico and can be grown as a trailing plant or as a ground cover. It is ideal for hanging baskets and can trail for up to 2 feet. The leaves are slender and pointed, measuring 2 to 5 inches long. The bottoms of the leaves are a deep purple color, and the tops vary in color from green to purple. Along the leaves, they have tiny translucent hairs as well.
Low light is acceptable, but it may cause the leaves to become more green. thrives in indirect light that is medium to bright and has some morning sun.
Before watering, allow the top inch of soil to dry off. To prevent root rot, water till it emerges from the drainage hole gently and evenly.
Home humidity ranges from average to high. When the air is too dry, the tips become brown.
Additional Care: The thin stems and leaves are easily snapped. Keep it in a hanging basket or any other secure location. Trim if it’s becoming too lanky or to encourage bushier growth. Steer clear of drafts.