How Do You Take Care Of A Purple Heart Tradescantia?

How do you take care of a purple heart Tradescantia?

Purple heart is commonly referred to as a “creeping perennial” since it spreads out as it grows. Purple heart is thought to grow at a somewhat quick rate, especially when compared to other indoor plants. Its blossoms will wither in the winter.

Light: Planting your purple hearts in full sun will help them develop the vibrant purple stems. The plant may also grow in partial shade, although its stem will be green rather than purple.

However, it is recommended to gradually acclimatize these plants to brighter settings, as too much direct sunshine at once might cause foliage burn.

Soil: Purple heart plants thrive in soil that is light, permeable, and moist. Ample drainage is required. The plant can withstand pH levels ranging from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Water: Purple heart is considered drought-tolerant, and it does not require much irrigation. However, it is advisable not to leave the plant lie dry for long periods of time for maximum growth.

When the top layer of soil seems dry to the touch, water the plant. You should also keep it watered during its blooming season. Remember that younger plants demand more moisture than adults and should be watered at least weekly.

Temperature and Humidity: Purple heart can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but it is susceptible to frost. Purple heart prefers high humidity because it grows naturally in tropical and subtropical climates.

A humidifier, as well as placing your plant in a bathroom or kitchen, can help if your home has drier air. The leaves will become limp as a result of the dry air impacting them.

Fertilizer: Fertilizer is not usually necessary for the purple heart plant, but it can be utilized. Simply dilute the solution to about half its original strength.

How do you grow a purple heart on Tradescantia pallida?

Tradescantia pallida is a delicate evergreen perennial native to northeast Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Yucatan) that is planted for its beautiful purple foliage.

Secretia pallida was named by Joseph Nelson Rose in 1911, but D.R. Hunt of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew categorized it in the genus Tradescantia in 1975. The previous names S. pallida and S. purpurea are still used.

For the best color development, grow purple heart in full sun; plants grown in shade tend to be greener than purple. To encourage more compact development, pinch the plants. Plants are drought tolerant and thrive on neglect, but they may also be watered often.

When actively developing, fertilize once a month. Plants should be pruned after flowering to keep them from becoming spindly. Reduce watering during the winter and don’t fertilize until new growth begins in April if grown in pots to keep indoors over the winter or as houseplants.

Plants can be propagated easily by taking cuttings from any section of the plant – simply bury a node in soil or potting mix and it will typically root (or place in water until roots develop). This plant can also be propagated from seed, but this is uncommon.

How do you propagate Tradescantia purple heart?

Purple Heart propagation is simple. It can be propagated from seeds or from stem cuttings. However, because seeds are scarce, most gardeners cultivate this succulent via cuttings.

To accomplish this, simply follow the five simple procedures outlined below:

Step 1: Using a clean, sharp knife or a pair of scissors, cut a few healthy stems just below a segment node from the mother plant (approximately 4 to 6-inches or 10 to 15 cm long) in the spring or early summer.

Step 2: Remove the lowest leaves from the cuttings and place them in a wet potting mix-filled container. Plant many cuttings as long as they do not overlap.

Step 3: Seal the pot or container in a clear plastic bag with elastic rubber. The plastic will keep the moisture in, reducing the need for you to water it.

Step 4: Keep your cuttings in a bright area out of direct sunlight until they root.

Step 5: Once new growth appears on the stems (which usually takes about a month), remove the plastic from the pot.

How do you prune a Purple Heart in Tradescantia?

The plant has long stems and, due to its rapid growth rate, it can quickly become lanky and spindly. After the bloom time has over, you should prune it during the warmer months.

Use sharp scissors and wear gloves when cutting the stems, as the sap in the stems can cause skin irritations and burns. Take the top half of the overgrown stems and cut them off.

Prune often. Plants should be pruned once they have stopped flowering to foster fresh growth. Instead of allowing the stems to become long and spindly, pinch off the stem tips as the purple heart grows to make a larger plant.

How often should I water Purple Heart Tradescantia?

Watering Purple Heart requires no effort at all due to its ability to tolerate lengthy periods of drought! However, if you want this succulent to develop strong, thick stems and leaves, it is better not to keep it in dry conditions for too long.

In general, whether you grow your purple heart indoors or outdoors, water it well at least once every 7 to 10 days, especially during its flowering season in the summer.

Purple Heart will go into hibernation during the cold winter months, so make sure to give it just enough water to keep it healthy. Once every three weeks should suffice.

Check if the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry to the touch to see if it’s time to give your Purple Heart a sip of water. If it is, it is time to give it a good watering. Otherwise, avoid watering. To check for moisture, you can use a moisture stick or just stick your index finger into the soil.

Is Heart Tradescantia perennial?

Purple Heart plant, also known as Tradescantia Pallida (purple secretia), is a low-maintenance evergreen perennial that can bring vibrant color and contrast to any living environment.

Furthermore, because this succulent has an active root system that allows it to grow quickly, it is ideal for cascading over pots, walls, groundcover, or even hanging baskets, as well as for mixed plantings in large containers due to its rich color.

How do I get more pink in Purple Heart Tradescantia?

The purple heart plant grows quickly and has purple foliage as well as purple and pink blooms. The plant is simple to grow and makes an excellent ground cover.

Plant in a site that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-drained, rich organic matter soil that keeps evenly moist. The best color development will be achieved in direct sunlight. Plants grown in a shaded area will have a more greenish tinge. Each bloom has a one-day lifespan.

Pinching new stem tips encourages branching and keeps Tradescantia pallida compact. If your plant grows straggly, with large gaps between leaves, don’t be afraid to trim stems down to around 6 in (15 cm) in length.

Is Purple Heart Tradescantia a succulent?

Purple Heart (Tradescantia Pallida) – A compact slowly spreading evergreen perennial up to 10 inches tall by 2 feet wide with succulent herbaceous purple stems bearing clasping elliptic leaves narrowed at the base and tip that are olive green suffused with purple on the upper surface and bright purple below with long sliver hairs along the leaf margins and stems.

How do you identify Purple Heart Tradescantia?

Purple heart (Tradescantia pallida) gets its name from its characteristic purple stems, which bear little flower clusters ranging from violet to pink.

Purple Heart has thick dark purple, lance-shaped leaves that can grow up to 7 inches long and are covered in delicate hairs that grow alternately on quite brittle stems. From midsummer to fall, it can produce 1/2-inch wide 3 petaled pink or pale purple flowers with vivid yellow stamens at the ends of the stems.

It is planted as an evergreen perennial in warm climes, adding a splash of magnificent purple color to your garden year after year. Tradescantia pallida is grown as an annual in cooler climes. It is also widely available as a houseplant.

How big does Purple Heart Tradescantia get?

The purple heart, or Tradescantia pallida, is a trailing tropical plant endemic to Mexico that belongs to the spiderwort family. The delicate heart-shaped flowers give rise to the plant’s common name. The second frequent name is purple queen, which refers to the color of the stems, leaves, and flowers.

On delicate, thin stems, the lance-shaped leaves can grow up to 7″ long. It’s a spreading plant that will take over any available space, but it rarely grows taller than 1.5′.

The purple queen plant is planted primarily for its foliage, but it also has pale lavender or pink three-petaled blooms that bloom in the summer.

The blossoms have no aroma, occur at the tip of a stalk, and are tiny, seldom surpassing 1.5″ in width.

How much light does Purple Heart Tradescantia need?

When it comes to light exposure, Purple Heart requires a lot of it in order to thrive and stay healthy. Though it can endure low lighting conditions, its foliage will be green rather than purple.

Grow your Purple Heart outside throughout the warmer months of Spring and Summer for the finest color development results.

Ideally, in a somewhat shaded location where it will not receive more than 1 or 2 hours of direct afternoon sunshine per day, especially during the hottest part of the day in Summer, to prevent scorching of its leaves.

Purple Heart is also an excellent indoor houseplant. If you wish to keep the plant’s trademark purple leaves and stems, select a location where it can get as much light as possible (at least 8 hours of brilliant indirect sunshine or filtered light per day), such as near an east, west, or south-facing windowsill.

Is Purple Heart Tradescantia toxic?

Purple heart, like other Tradescantia species, is harmful to humans and toxic to pets, causing contact dermatitis.

Tradescantia pallida is not on the ASPCA’s list of hazardous plants for cats and dogs. Sap from cut or damaged stems, on the other hand, can infrequently cause skin irritation in humans or pets.

Some people and dogs may have skin redness and irritation as a result of the juice from the leaves or stems, but this is not a common occurrence. You can avoid this by wearing gloves.

Where is Purple Heart Tradescantia originally from?

Tradescantia pallida is a delicate evergreen perennial native to northeast Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Yucatan) that is planted for its beautiful purple foliage.

Setcreasea pallida was named by Joseph Nelson Rose in 1911, but D.R. Hunt of the Royal Botanic Garden Kew categorized it in the genus Tradescantia in 1975. The previous names S. pallida and S. purpurea are still used.

This herbaceous plant in the Commelinaceae (spiderwort family) is a low-growing trailer that is hardy in zones 7-10 but easily grown as an annual or houseplant in colder climates.

It is also known as purple heart or purple heart wandering jew (and occasionally “Moses in the Basket,” though this usually refers to a different species).

Is Purple Heart Tradescantia invasive?

While some members of the spiderwort family, such as the oyster plant (a Category II Invasive) and the small-leaf spiderwort (a Category I Invasive), are deemed invasive, the purple queen, or Tradescantia pallida, is an aggressive and spreading plant that is not considered invasive.

The UF/IFAS Assessment of Non-Native Plants also does not consider it a concern species. However, caution should be used to ensure that it does not escape cultivation.

When do you repot Purple Heart Tradescantia?

Purple Heart does not require frequent repotting because it does not grow to be that large. In reality, you’ll only need to do it once a year during its growing season in the spring months, or whenever you observe its roots pushing through the drainage holes at the bottom.

Simply follow the procedures below to repot your Purple Heart:

Step 1: Thoroughly clean the new pot. Choose one with drainage holes at the bottom (this will help prevent soggy soil) and is 1 to 2 inches larger than the plant’s old pot to give it more room to expand.

Step 2: Ensure that the dirt is nearby. Preferably one that is permeable and well-draining, such as cactus or succulent soil mix.

Step 3: Carefully take the plant out of its old pot. Make an indentation on the inside of the saucepan with your fingers. Then, flip the pot over to get your Purple Heart. Just be careful not to let the plant fall and break throughout the procedure.

Step 4: Fill the new pot with soil until it reaches the bottom. To remove air pockets, grind it with your hands and lightly shake the pot up and down.

Step 5: Place the plant in the center of the pot and secure it in place. Add more soil with your other hand until the roots are completely covered. While you’re doing this, gently shake it left and right to get rid of any trapped air.

Step 6: Once finished, softly press the soil on top to level it before displaying your Purple Heart in its designated spot.

Is Purple Heart Tradescantia an indoor plant?

You may grow the purple heart plant indoors or outdoors with similar success, provided the correct climate. If the temperature drops below 40°F, it should be kept inside, but in warmer climates, it can be left outside all year.

It is planted as an evergreen perennial in warm climes, adding a splash of magnificent purple color to your garden year after year. Tradescantia pallida is grown as an annual in cooler climes. It is also widely available as a houseplant.

You can keep your plant indoors all year. However, if you bring it outside for the summer, keep it out of direct sunlight during the hottest part of the day. Check the soil every couple of days to ensure that it does not dry out.

Purple heart (Tradescantia pallida), which is commonly grown as a groundcover in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, has becoming increasingly popular as a houseplant. Because cuttings root rapidly, it’s simple to “give” this purple heart plant to all your friends as an interior gift.

What is Purple Heart Tradescantia?

The purple heart plant (Tradescantia pallida), also known as purple secretia or purple queen, is a spiderwort that grows quickly and has dark purple leaves and long purple stems. The plants produce little pink and purple flowers, but the leaves catch the eye more than the blooms.

Purple heart is a plant that can be used in a variety of ways. It works great as a ground cover to offer a splash of color to your landscaping, or as a trailing border around rock gardens and other enclosed garden settings. It will also grow as a patio container plant or in a hanging basket indoors or outdoors.

The purple heart plant is native to Mexico and was previously known as Setcreasea pallida until being reclassified in the genus Tradescantia in 1975 by a botanist at the Royal Botanic Garden Kew. The plant is still often known by its old names, S. pallida or S. purpurea.