Purple heart (Tradescantia pallida)
Care, watering, light and tips for Purple heart on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Commelinaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Purple heart
Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as "Purple Queen," is a fast-growing perennial plant cherished for its vibrant, deep purple foliage. Its fleshy stems and leaves make it ideal for hanging baskets or as ground cover in warm climate gardens, adding a dramatic splash of color. It can also be grown in pots as a decorative indoor plant.
Native range
Mexico
Care tips
It requires bright light to maintain its intense color, though it tolerates some partial shade; insufficient light will result in greener foliage. Watering should be moderate, allowing the top layer of the substrate to dry out between waterings to avoid waterlogging, to which it is very susceptible. It prefers a well-draining substrate rich in organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and loss of color.
How to save a dying Purple heart
- Warning signs
- Pale leaves, soft and drooping stems, slow or no growth, dry tips.
- First aid
- Check watering and light. If waterlogged, remove and air roots. If low light, move to a window.
- What kills it
- Overwatering that rots its roots. Also, lack of light or very low temperatures.
- Can it be saved?
- Almost always! It's very resilient. Take healthy cuttings if damage is severe and propagate them.