Alphabetical Plant Listing

Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea' (Purple Heart)

Purple Heart, Purple Queen, Wandering Jew 'Purpurea', Purple Spiderwort, Setcreasea purpurea, Setcreasea tampicana, Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart', Tradescantia purpurea


Attractive and durable, Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea' (Purple Heart) is a popular trailing evergreen perennial noted for its remarkable foliage of narrow, pointed, purple leaves, 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm). Arranged alternately along thick, but fragile, purple stems, the leaves are deep royal purple above, and bright violet underneath. Blooming constantly during warm weather, small clusters of bright pink, 3-petalled, pale orchid-pink flowers, 1 in. (2.5 cm), emerge at the stem tips. Tradescantia pallida is a tender perennial which makes a beautiful groundcover. Its sprawling stems root in the moist soil, to create a carpet of ground-hugging foliage. Evergreen in frost-free areas, it dies back with mild freezes, but sprouts back in spring. In colder areas, it may be grown as a bedding annual, in a container or hanging basket, or as a houseplant.

  • Awarded the prestigious Award of Garden Merit by the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 12-18 in. tall (30-45 cm) with a similar spread.
  • Easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best purple leaf coloration occurs in full sun. Shelter this plant from strong winds that may break the fragile stems. Water freely in dry weather. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Great for border fronts, edging, as groundcover, Mediterranean gardens, rock gardens or containers.
  • Virtually disease free. Watch for aphids and vine weevils.
  • Pinch back stems to encourage bushiness and rebloom.
  • Propagate by softwood cuttings using stem tips in spring or summer
  • Native to Mexico

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Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Tradescantia - Spiderworts
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

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varts / 123RF Stock Photo, (c) Gerhard Bock, SucculentsandMore.com, HiddenCatch/Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 10 – 11
Heat Zones 1 – 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Tradescantia - Spiderworts
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spread 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm)
Spacing 18" (45cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Edging, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden

Great Plant Combination Ideas with Tradescantia - Spiderworts

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