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Are you searching for a plant that adds the perfect touch to the landscaping of your house?
Then Tradescantia pallida, with its eye-catching purple leaves and stem tips, is the right one for you!
Obviously, this plant is from the genus Tradescantia. But this vivid colored plant has several common names, from Purple Queen to Purple Heart.
Are you interested in getting a tradescantia pallida Purple Heart but worried about its maintenance?
Well, then this article is for you! Below, we will cover everything you need to know about the Purple Queen.
What is Tradescantia Pallida Purple Heart?
This purple queen originated in eastern Mexico.
As the name suggests, the purple heart has a deep royal purple shade with a touch of bright pink, making them a colorful ornamental plant.
Further, they are inexpensive starter plants as they are easy to propagate.
Long Leaves
It may come as a surprise to you, but its pointed leaves are seven inches long!
Stems
Another unique quality about tradescantia pallida is its fragile stems.
Their stem tips have a segmentation that helps to increase their spread in tropical and temperate regions.
On the other hand, it can easily spread in a cool climate zone!
This is why in colder areas, it is why nursery and landscape trade persons and gardeners widely commercialize this plant due to its ornamental nature.
Weaker Joints
Keep in mind that Purple Heart tradescantia plants are weaker at the joints, making them easy to snap off.
However, it is quickly grown back, so you do not have to worry!
Striking Foliage
Another quality that sets tradescantia pallida Purple Heart plants apart is their flowers.
Even though their white, lavender and pink flowers have compact growth, they contrast nicely with striking purple foliage.
How Can You Grow Tradescantia Pallida?
Luckily, Purple Queen plants growing isn’t difficult.
We have made a list of things you need to know to grow these purple spiderwort to make it even easier.
- Any high-quality general-purpose liquid or dry fertilizer
- Some garden pruners to cut stems of purple spiderwort
- A container that has a drainage hole
- High quality commercial potting soil containing peat moss
Now that you know what materials you need, here are a few notes before you start planting these Purple Heart tradescantia:
Sunlight
The Tradescantia Pallida plant requires at least six hours of indirect sunlight per day in order to grow and flourish.
If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, the leaves will begin to turn yellow and turn brown.
Dark purple leaves on the Purple Heart can only be achieved through exposure to direct sunlight. While direct sunlight is acceptable, we recommend that you place your plant in a shady location.
If there is a lot of space between the leaves and the stems, it indicates that your plant requires more sunlight.
Tradescantia Pallida requires sunlight in order to carry out photosynthesis, which is essential for the plant’s survival. Carbon dioxide and water are converted into glucose, which the plant then uses as an energy source.
This process is required for the plant to produce glucose from carbon dioxide and water.
Water
It is necessary to water Tradescantia pallida on a regular basis in order to keep the plant healthy.
When you overwater your plants, the roots will begin to rot, and when you underwater them, the leaves will begin to wilt.
Make sure you water deeply and sparingly so that the top few inches of soil can dry between waterings.
The best way to do this is to use a pot with drainage holes. This allows excess water to drain out as well as allows more oxygen into the root zone.
If you’re not able to use a planter with drainage holes, then just be careful how much water you give it!
If you’re looking for a pot with drainage holes, this self-watering pot is what we use for our indoor plants. There’s no need to worry about overwatering your plant.
- SELF-WATERING, 2-WEEKS+ DEEP RESERVOIR: No more troublesome wicks that clog...
- SELF-AERATING, HIGH DRAINAGE, MINIMIZE ROOT ROT: No need to keep poking...
- WATER FROM THE BOTTOM + NO MORE OVERFLOW: Each planter comes with a clip-on...
Humidity
The Tradescantia pallida plant is known to be a very efficient absorber of moisture from the air.
This helps to keep the humidity levels in the surrounding environment stable, which can be especially beneficial in dry climates or in indoor spaces where the air tends to be more arid.
The Purple Heart tradescantia pallida only need 40% humidity, making it perfect for nurseries and landscapes.
If the upper surfaces of your plant turn brown, it means your air is too dry.
Temperature
Ideally, the temperature for Tradescantia Pallida plants should be between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18–24 degrees Celsius).
At this temperature, the plants will grow quickly and produce a large amount of leafy foliage.
It is quite tolerant of cold temperatures, but it does not fare well in strong, cold winds, which is unfortunate.
If the temperature falls below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), the plants, on the other hand, may begin to wither.
Consequently, if you live in a region where the summers are extremely hot, it’s best not to plant your Tradescantia Pallida outside during the summer.
It is possible that the plants will begin to lose their leaves if the temperature rises above 26 degrees Celsius.
The risk of this occurring can be minimized by keeping the animals indoors or moving them to a cooler location where they will not receive as much direct sunlight.
Soil
The best soil for Tradescantia Pallida plants is one that is moist, well-drained, and has a pH that ranges from slightly acidic to completely neutral.
In addition, organic matter such as peat moss and compost should be abundant in the soil.
Simple potting mix should be avoided because it dries out quickly when exposed to the elements.
Furthermore, if you intend to plant more than one Tradescantia pallida, it is critical that each individual plant be housed in its own container to ensure that its roots do not compete with the root systems of the other plants in the garden.
If you intend to grow several different species of Tradescantia, you should select a plot of land that will accommodate the growth of all of these different types of plants.
This houseplant potting soil is one that we use ourselves. It’s nothing special, but it works for all our indoor plants – plus, it’s inexpensive.
- Growing indoors is easy under the right conditions; Miracle-Gro Houseplant...
- Recommended for growing beautiful indoor houseplant varieties like Pothos,...
- This indoor plant soil is less prone to gnats, thanks to the combination of...
Fertilizer
Tradescantia pallida need fertilizer because it helps the plant grow and become healthy. The type of fertilizer that is best for Tradescantia pallida is a balanced formula.
The potassium in the fertilizer helps the Tradescantia pallida plant to produce thick leaves and stems, while the nitrogen in the fertilizer helps the tradescantia pallida plant to produce lots of green foliage.
Lastly, phosphorus in the fertilizer helps the tradescantia pallida plant to produce its beautiful flowers.
Always fertilize your plant monthly in summer and spring. Also, make sure you’re using water-soluble fertilizer.
Propagation
Plant propagation is the process by which new plants are created from a parent plant.
Tradescantia pallida can be propagated in a variety of ways, but one of the most common is by taking cuttings from the parent plant and growing them from there.
A piece of stem or root is cut from a parent plant and then planted in soil to sprout and develop into a new tree or shrub.
You will have to take several cuttings to make the Purple Heart plant grow more prominently.
First, try cutting 4 inches of stem tip in early summer or spring. The new growth will start fast in that moist potting soil mix.
You may need to water it daily for about 10 days until you see roots forming at the bottom. Then transplanting into your garden where they should thrive with no problem!
For more information on propagating Wandering Jew plants, read more:
FAQ
Can Purple Heart Plant Grow Indoors?
Because Purple Heart tradescantia grows well in patio containers, ground cover, and hanging baskets, it’s a popular indoor plant. This might come as a surprise to you, but Tradescantia purpurea can remove volatile organic compounds from your indoor air. This makes it the ideal plant type to improve your air quality.
How Do You Grow Purple Heart Plants Indoors?
With a bit of care, tradescantia pallida purpurea are the perfect native plants to grow indoors. Here are a few simple steps that will guide you through the entire process:
1. First, plant a tradescantia purpurea plant in a container filled with good potting soil. Ensure it is one of those well-draining soils and make a hole in the container to prevent root rot and soggy soil.
2. Place your container in partial shade or full sun. The direct sunlight brings bright purple color to leaves, but be careful to avoid scorching.
3. Don’t forget to fertilize monthly (only in summer). For indoor plants, always use general-purpose fertilizer.
4. Start by applying the fertilizer to the plant’s damp soil. Doing this on dry soil can lead to root burn. Also, only do this in warm weather.
5. Then, pinch tips of your tradescantia purpurea plants to encourage bushiness and compactness of growth. Keep repeating this till you have reached the desired shape and size.
6. Even though they are winter-hardy, keep heart purple at room temperature.
How Do You Care for Tradescantia Pallida?
Tradescantia purpurea is the perfect inexpensive starter plant.
Whether it is their drought-tolerant nature or their ability to be indoor or outdoor plants, tradescantia pallida plants are straightforward to take care of.
According to the Royal Horticultural Society, you can do the following things to take care of your tradescantia pallida purpurea:
• Prune your plant often to get more bushes and remove green foliage.
• Prevent pests, such as vine weevils and Aphids.
Is a Purple Heart Plant Toxic?
This is a common concern whenever anyone sees tradescantia purpurea. Fortunately, this tender perennial is not deadly. However, it can lead to some problems if you ingest it.
Ingesting tradescantia pallida purpurea can result in mild gastrointestinal and oral irritation, resulting in vomiting, drooling, and diarrhea. This is why you should always wash your hands after touching their lance-shaped leaves or stems. The foliage of tradescantia purpura can cause skin redness and irritation. Thus, we advise keeping it away from your pets and babies.
Conclusion
Tradescantia pallida is a beautiful plant with vibrant purple evergreen leaves and stem that provide a brilliant pop of color throughout the year.
It is a wonderful plant to cultivate both indoors and out in the garden. It doesn’t matter if you want to cultivate Tradescantia pallida purpurea plants in small clusters in your garden or in a hanging basket inside your home; these plants are extremely easy to care for and can withstand a wide range of environmental conditions.
If you’re searching for a lovely, low-maintenance plant, Tradescantia pallida is an excellent choice!
Other Tradescantia Plants (Wandering Jew plants) to Consider
If you’re looking for a houseplant or some landscaping plants, there are other varieties of Tradescantia to consider. Wandering Jew plants are a great choice for indoors as houseplants or outdoors as groundcovers. Other types of Tradescantia plants to consider are listed below.
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.