Last updated on December 8th, 2024 at 06:39 am
The Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida). A great looking succulent that retains its leaves throughout the summer and fall seasons.
It is a vigorous plant that spreads quickly and is considered a ground cover. The stems are thick and contain mostly water.
Purple Heart Plant
Thick purple leaves and stems with a bright small pink flower that will bloom during the early morning hours. Propagation is easy just cut off the stem along with the leaf and place it into a container with good loamy soil and it will grow.
Where to place the Purple Heart Plant?
It will die back during the winter seasons in places where temperatures get below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. But it will return quickly in mid-spring. It is a heat and drought-tolerant plant that is perfect for a bare spot that needs filling in quickly.
This plant will do better in the morning sun and afternoon shade or underneath a large tree that gives off filtered light. It is a minimal-maintenance plant and can be planted in rock gardens and xeriscape landscaping areas.
If conditions are right, it will grow up to 1.5 inches tall and spread up to 2-3 ft. and wider. It is an easy plant to propagate. Snip off the stems and place them in a container with good soil, and it will take.
Purple Heart Plant Closeup Flower
The purple heart plant is found throughout the southwest and well into Mexico where it is a native plant. Plants first came into cultivation as houseplants known as the “wandering Jew”. It is often grouped into the Tradescantia genus.
Next time you are at your local nursery ask for the Purple Heart Plant. Most gardening stores will carry this plant if they don’t you can sometimes purchase it at monrovia.com and have it delivered to your local nursery store.
Purple Heart Plant – USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 – 11.
It is a plant that is resistant to insects and diseases. It is amazing that insects and fungus rarely infect this plant. So, if you are looking for a good tuff plant for that bare spot this is it.
Here are other groundcover plants for the southwest are right here.
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If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Thank you for your article on this beautiful and useful plant. We had this growing in a jumbo planter at the house where I grew up. That was in another state, and I didn’t know if it would grow well here, so I’m glad to read that it will.
Thanks, Shery. Yes, it will do well in the southwest but it’s best to plant it in morning sun and afternoon shade or underneath a large shade tree.