Tradescantia pallida
purple heart
Overview
Tradescantia pallida is a trailing, semi-succulent evergreen perennial in the family Commelinaceae, grown for its deep violet-purple foliage. Sprawling, brittle stems reach 8-12 inches (20-30 cm) tall and trail or spread 12-24 inches (30-60 cm), rooting at the nodes where they touch soil. The fleshy, lance-shaped leaves are 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) long, glaucous purple above and below, and clasp the stem at swollen joints. Small three-petalled flowers about 0.5-0.75 inch (1.2-2 cm) wide open pink to pale magenta at the stem tips from late spring through autumn, each lasting a single morning. Leaf colour deepens to rich purple in full sun and shifts toward green-purple in shade. Tradescantia pallida is grown as a groundcover in frost-free climates and as a houseplant or container trailer elsewhere, since it is damaged below about 32F (0C). The sap can irritate skin on contact. Limitations include brittle stems that break easily and a frost-tender constitution that confines it outdoors to warm regions.
Native Range
Tradescantia pallida is native to eastern Mexico, from Tamaulipas south to Yucatan, where it grows on rocky slopes and in scrub and open woodland. It is now widely grown as an ornamental and has naturalised in parts of the southern United States and other warm regions.Suggested Uses
Tradescantia pallida is used as a groundcover and edging in warm-climate beds, as a trailing plant in containers and hanging baskets, and as a houseplant in bright rooms. It is spaced 12-18 inches (30-45 cm) apart for groundcover and combines with silver or chartreuse foliage for colour contrast.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height8" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Tradescantia pallida blooms from late spring through autumn in warm climates, with scattered flowers appearing over many months. Each pink to magenta flower opens in the morning and closes by afternoon, replaced by new buds the next day. Flowering is heaviest in summer and continues year-round where temperatures stay mild.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to magentaFoliage Description
Deep violet-purpleGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Tradescantia pallida grows in full sun to part shade on well-drained soil and keeps its deepest purple colour in bright light. It tolerates heat, drought, and poor soil once established, though occasional watering keeps the foliage plump. Stems are brittle and snap at the joints, but broken pieces root quickly in soil or water. It is hardy outdoors only in USDA zones 8 to 11 and is grown as a houseplant or summer container plant in colder areas. Spider mites and aphids appear on indoor plants in dry air. Pinching the stem tips keeps growth dense rather than straggly.Pruning
Tradescantia pallida is trimmed or pinched at any time to control its spread and encourage branching, with stems cut just above a node. Plants that grow leggy can be cut back hard and will regrow from the base. Trimmings root easily and are used to start new plants.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early springsummer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons