Tradescantia pallida

Tradescantia pallida, more commonly known as the purple heart plant, is a creeping perennial groundcover plant native to Mexico.  Though it is named for its unique, tri-petalled blooms that resemble hearts, purple heart plants are more commonly grown for their remarkable foliage.  Fleshy, deep-purple foliage grows in a sprawling, jointed pattern, with each new leaf growing out from the origin of the last.  The cascading nature of purple heart's foliage creates a long herbaceous stem with leaves pointing out in all directions.  Purple heart plants are an excellent choice for evergreen foliage in warm climates, providing a pop of color to gardens and landscapes alike.  Typically, purple heart plants are used for border plants, to outline walkways, and even to fill out rock gardens.  Alternatively, they make great houseplants on account of their minimal needs, rapid growth rate, and ability to bring an air of vibrancy to any space.  All parts of the purple heart plant are toxic, including the clear sap, and should be kept out of the reach of children and pets.  

To promote its deep purple color, provide purple heart plants with a location that receives copious amounts of direct sunlight throughout the majority of the day.  Though they can tolerate growing in shaded areas, their stems and leaves may become green instead of the bewitching purple.  Light, porous, well-draining soil is ideal for growing purple heart plants, with them tolerating an alkaline or acidic pH equally well.  Though they are drought-tolerant, purple heart plants should not be left to sit dry for prolonged periods of time.  Additionally, watering the plants on a regular basis while they are in bloom can help them produce a greater number of flowers.  As they are susceptible to frost, they grow as annuals in colder climates but can remain year-round in warmer environments.  Purple heart plants do not require fertilizer and should be given very diluted solutions if applied at all.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

Tradescantia Pallida

Tradescantia pallida

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