Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Tradescantia pallida or Purple Heart

The genus Tradescantia, family Commelinaceae, comprises 30 species of herbaceous and perennial plants native to the American continent. Some species are: Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia multiflora, Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia fluminensis, Tradescantia albiflora, Tradescantia spathacea, Tradescantia sillamontana, Tradescantia brevicaulis.

Common names: Purple queen, Purple secretia, Wandering jew, Purple Heart. This species is native to Mexico.

They are perennial plants with rapid growth and a hanging or creeping bearing that reach 40 cm (15.7") in height. The interesting 15 cm (5.9") long leaves are purple in color. The flowers are not very decorative but have a nice purplish-pink color. They bloom in late summer.

They are used in pots and planters for terraces and balconies and as covers for other plants with yellow flowers (Pachystachys lutea, Phlomis fruticosa, Euryops pectinatus) or gray leaves (Centaurea, Artemisia, Santolina, Cineraria maritima). They are ideal for coastal gardens.

Tradescantia pallida grows in sun, shade and semi-shade exposures. They resist occasional frosts.

They can grow in any type of soil, even calcareous soils. The planting is done in spring.

Water moderately all year long, waiting for the soil to dry out. They resist drought well.

Fertilize in the fall with organic fertilizer.

Prune lightly in early spring to remove old branches and control growth.

They are easy to grow plants and resistant to pests and diseases.

They are propagated in spring, summer or fall from cuttings.

Images of the plant Tradescantia pallida or Purple Heart