Purple Heart
(Tradescantia pallida)
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
/
/
Joe Bloggs
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Joe Bloggs
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Joe Bloggs | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Attribution: Joe Bloggs (cc-by-sa) | Rights Holder: Joe Bloggs | Publisher: PlantNet | Date Created: 2020-07-12T10:11:35Z | Title: Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R.Hunt: flower | Notes: |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as Purple Heart, is an evergreen perennial herb native to Mexico, where it thrives in the understory of dense, tropical forests. It has a sprawling growth habit and is characterized by elongated, pointed leaves that are a striking purple color, often with a glaucous green hue and sometimes fringed with red. The plant produces small, three-petaled flowers that are typically pink or purple, although they can also be white, and are not particularly showy. Purple Heart typically blooms in the summer months. It is hardy to USDA zone 7, where it may die back in moderate frosts but can resprout from the roots.
Purple Heart is valued for its vibrant foliage and is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and borders, as a ground cover, or as a hanging plant. In colder climates, it is popular as a houseplant. It requires well-draining soil, moderate water, and can thrive in full sun to part shade. This plant is easy to propagate by cuttings, as roots will often grow from the stem joints. As a houseplant, it is noted for its ability to improve indoor air quality through phytoremediation. However, gardeners should be aware that Tradescantia pallida can be invasive in some regions outside its native range and should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Purple Heart is valued for its vibrant foliage and is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and borders, as a ground cover, or as a hanging plant. In colder climates, it is popular as a houseplant. It requires well-draining soil, moderate water, and can thrive in full sun to part shade. This plant is easy to propagate by cuttings, as roots will often grow from the stem joints. As a houseplant, it is noted for its ability to improve indoor air quality through phytoremediation. However, gardeners should be aware that Tradescantia pallida can be invasive in some regions outside its native range and should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type:
- Height: 0.5-0.8 feet
- Width: 1-1.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Pink, Purple
- Flowering Season: Summer, Fall
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Bee Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Understory of dense, tropical forests in northeast Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: Purple Queen , Purple-Heart , Purple Secretia , Mexikanische Dreimasterblume , Purpurblad , 紫錦草
Scientific Names: Tradescantia pallida , Setcreasea pallida , Setcreasea purpurea , Tradescantia purpurea , Tradescantia pallida var. purpurea , Setcreasea lanceolata , Tradescantia velutina , Setcreasea jaumavensis , Tradescantia jaumavensis , Setcreasea tampicana
GBIF Accepted Name: Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R.Hunt