Purple tenderness plants ( aka purple king ) are comfortable to care for , and can farm both indoors or outside . In this post , I ’ll show you all you involve to know in purchase order to keep them thriving .
The striking foliation of a imperial spunk plant get it a popular pick for landscaping and growing indoors alike .
It ’s also easy to give care for , making it ideal for beginners require to determine how to turn a Tradescantia pallida plant life .
Rich purple color on a Tradescantia pallida leaf
In this royal spunk plant caution guide you ’ll read what it take to keep the foliage thriving and beautiful .
From light and water requirements to pruning and propagation , you ’ll be well prepared to enjoy the trailing , colorful growth in your garden or habitation .
Table of Contents
Purple Heart Plant Care Overview
What Is A Purple Heart Plant
The imperial mettle , or Tradescantia pallida , is a trailingtropical plantfrom the dayflower class , and aboriginal to Mexico . It gets its common name from the delicate kernel - form blossom .
The other common name is imperial queen due to the colour that make up the shank , leaves , and blossom .
The gig - shaped leafage can get hold of up to 7 ” long on finespun , thin stems . It ’s a spreading plant that will satiate up any space it ’s give , but rarely grows taller than 1.5 ’ .
Different Types Of Purple Queen Plants
The most common type of Tradescantia pallida is a recondite , uniformly purple specter .
But you may also be capable to encounter the much more rare vary imperial heart , which features pink striping along the leaves .
Flowers
The purple fairy industrial plant is most commonly grow for foliage , but it also features pale lavender or pinkish , three - petaled efflorescence that bloom in the summer .
The blossoms have no scent , appear at the end of a radical , and are small , seldom exceeding more than 1.5 ” wide .
Toxicity
Tradescantia pallida is not on theASPCA ’s toxic plant listof plant that are toxic to cats and dog .
But theUniversity of Wisconsinnotes that sap from mown or broken stem turn can now and then induce skin excitation for mass or favorite . you may wear mitt to prevent this .
How To Grow Purple Heart Plant
Before we lecture about how to care for a purple heart flora , first we should discuss the best location to grow it . Choosing a good daub is an important step for long - hold out health .
Hardiness
Tradescantia pallida is a perennial in zone 8 - 11 . The foliage wo n’t survive very long in temperature cold than 40 ° atomic number 9 .
But the roots can put out new maturation when it warms up in the spring as long as the ground does n’t freeze .
In colder regions they ’re often grown in containers and winter indoors , or continue exclusively as houseplant .
Where To Grow Purple Queen Plants
The secure location to mature purple pouf plants is somewhere that will provide stacks of sunshine . The color is more vivacious when given good deal of light .
They can abide fond tincture , but may begin to turn over green or become leggy in dimmer configurations .
In warm enough climates they ’re used as ground cover , but can also trail over walls , large containers , or hanging baskets . No matter where you acquire them , they ’ll call for good drainage to thrive .
Purple Heart Plant Care & Growing Instructions
Now that you have the idealistic place in mind to grow a purple heart plant , let ’s talk about their charge . apply these tips to keep yours thriving yr after class .
Light
In social club to maintain the striking color , royal queen plants take a lot of light , which can be the most intriguing part of their concern .
Ideally you should provide them with full Dominicus for most of the day , though some shade in exceedingly hot climates can keep them from burn down .
Giving them enough Christ Within indoors can be a challenge , even in a sunny windowpane . They ’ll do their salutary with 8 + hours every sidereal day . If you notice the color attenuation or legginess , supplement with agrow light .
Water
Once launch , Tradescantia pallida is fairly drouth patient of , but wo n’t do well in extended periods of dryness .
When the top few inches of dirt are dry , water deeply to encourage hardy ascendant , but avoid making it sodden . An inexpensivemoisture gaugewill help you get it just right .
In full Dominicus or hotness waves they ’ll need more frequent watering . In the wintertime they ’ll need much less .
Indoors , keep them evenly moist , and always run out off the excess to void overwatering .
Humidity
Humidity is not often an takings outdoors , but if your indoor purple queen plant has wilted or brown dry out leafage , it may need more .
lay out them on a pebble tray or run asmall humidifiernearby to increase the humidity in your domicile .
Temperature
The intermediate home temperature are idealistic for a purple heart plant . out of doors , they ’ll expand in a 60 - 80 ° farad range , but can outlast down to 40 ° F .
The foliation may die back after a lightheaded freeze , but can regrow in the bounce as long as the ground does n’t freeze .
Prolonged exposure to freezing atmospheric condition will eventually kill the plant however , roots and all .
Fertilizer
Though fertilizing a purple queen flora is not a necessary part of their care , the occasional feeding can reinvigorate ontogenesis , raise flowering , and make the color more vivacious .
Indoors they ’ll gain from a balancedhouseplant formula , or use all - design option likecompost teaorfish emulsionoutdoors .
Applyslow - waiver granulestwice during the natural spring and summertime , or up to once a month with limpid choice .
Stop fertilizing in the declination and wintertime , and stave off chemical substance brands that can damage or burn the flora .
Soil
Purple heart plant will grow well in a visible light , loamy soil that has dear drain . you’re able to amend outdoor beds withpeat mossorcompostto growth constituent matter , or add grit to help with drain .
Indoors , a good qualitygeneral potting soilwill oeuvre . But you could also remediate it withperliteorpumiceto growth drain and thin out the risk of overwatering .
Repotting
Though purple pump industrial plant will only grow to a certain acme , they do lean to fill a container passably quickly when feed the proper care .
When roots begin to show out of the drainage holes , it ’s fourth dimension to size up . It ’s best to do it in the outflow before flowering .
prefer a container with drainage holes that ’s 1 - 2 ” larger than the current one , and replant it at the same deepness .
Pruning
The spreading nature of purple queen plants make pruning a necessary part of their care , both indoors and outdoors .
Pinch off new stem as they constitute to further branching in the spring , or use sharpprunersto give it a difficult passementerie after flowering has cease .
you’re able to clip up to half the full sizing , which will leave in more stocky growth through the summer .
Pest Control Tips
Healthy purple heart are in general pest costless , but occasionally you may encounter an issue .
Outdoors , snail and caterpillar can be an offspring . Control them by hand picking , or spreading adiatomaceous earthbarrier around the base .
Indoors , mealybugs and scale are more probable . care for them forthwith withrubbing alcohol , neem oil , or aninsecticidal soapfor just outcome .
you’re able to make your own insecticidal spray with 1 teaspoon ofgentle limpid soapand 1 cubic decimeter of weewee .
Purple Heart Plant Propagation Tips
Purple spirit are very loose to propagate with a root cutting take from any part of the plant .
The delicate stems erupt easily when encounter or quetch , and even those broken pieces can be take root , as long as they hold leafage lymph node .
Dip the cut close inrooting hormonebefore place it in dampish soil , or put it in a vase of water .
Keep it somewhere tender and bright for 1 - 2 hebdomad . Once you see solution or raw growth , pot them up in your container or choice .
Troubleshooting Purple Queen Care Problems
Tradescantia pallida demand picayune care once they ’re found . But if you run into one of these more common issues , my bakshish can help you restore them to unspoiled health .
Leaves Are Turning Green
The most common cause for green leaves on your over-embellished fairy plant is lack of sunshine .
They need full sun , or 8 + hours of burnished light indoors every twenty-four hours to maintain the deep purple color .
Yellow Leaves
yellow of imperial heart leaves is most often a star sign of overwatering . Only give them a drink when the top few inches of stain are dry .
However yellow leaves can also be due to severe lack of light , too small water , or inadequate food .
Leggy Purple Queen Plant
Leggy or thin growing with long stem can be a augury of deficiency of sunshine , or simply eld . Make certain it ’s receive full sun , or vivid indoor light for 8 + hours a solar day .
Otherwise , begin nip back young tip and prune leggy staunch for more heavyset growth in the spring .
Brown Leaves
chocolate-brown leaves are also a common symptom of age , but could also be lack of wet or low humidness .
fit the soil on a regular basis to insure it ’s not too wry , and utilize ahumidifieror pebble tray indoors if need .
If the brown is appearing in the centre of the plant life , it ’s likely from aging . Give it a operose prune to rejuvenate it .
Related Post : Why Does My Wandering Jew Have Brown Leaves & How To determine It
Purple Heart Plant FAQs
Is purple heart easy to grow?
Yes , over-embellished pump are well-off to grow once you know how to ply the best light , water , and other care needs .
Why is my purple heart plant dying?
There are many understanding that your purplish nub plant is expire . discrepant watering ( commonly too much ) , lack of sun , or cold temperature are all common lawsuit .
Is Tradescantia pallida invasive?
While the Tradescantia pallida will propagate to fill its give space , it ’s not considered an invading works .
Can purple queen plants survive winter?
Purple queen plants can survive winter in zona 8 - 10 . The foliage may die back after a difficult Robert Frost , but should revert in the springiness .
Is the purple heart plant indoor or outdoor?
you may grow the regal warmness plant indoors or outdoors with equal succeeder , given the proper environs . It ’s best kept indoors if it gets below 40 ° F , but can be outside in warmer climates all year long .
Now that you have intercourse how easy it is to grow the dramatic purple heart plant life , it can be a beautiful plus to your abode or garden . Use these Tradescantia pallida maintenance tips to enjoy it for many years to come .
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