This pretty, purple, and practically indestructible perennial will add color to pots and garden beds.
Purple hearts are often planted in pots or displayed in hanging baskets.
They’re aptly named, as their foliage appears in silvery purple and violet hues.
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Its purple leaves are long and oval-shaped, and it produces small purple flowers during the summer months.
Plant Attributes
Most varieties of purple heart plant are virtually indestructible with long, trailing stems.
This creeping plant grows to 18 inches tall and 12 inches wide with stems that tend to flop.
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The leaves are oval and deep purple with tiny pink flowers in summer.
Use asground cover, for bedding, or in pots.
Plant them in full sun or light shade.
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The more sun they get, the darker the purple color will be.
Deer dont normally browse these plants.
If used as a ground cover,Tradescantia pallidaspecies should be approached with caution.
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That’s because the most vigorous types can become invasive.
Growing it in shade will result in it appearing more greenish gray than purple.
Soil
It needs rich, moist, well-draining soil to grow.
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And be careful with the stems; they are notoriously fragile and can break off very easily.
It is sold as a houseplant in cooler climates.
Tradescantia virginiana,a Southern classic, is also known as spiderwort.
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This fast-growing plant will respond quickly.
Propagating Purple Heart
Seedlings for purple heart plants can sometimes be difficult to come by.
Heres how to do it.
Fortunately, it may sprout again from its roots when spring returns.
It will thrive in an indoor environment.
However, there are a few pests that love to make purple heart plants their home.
North Carolina Cooperative Extension.Tradescantia.
