The cultivar T. pallida 'Purpurea' is commonly called purple secretia, purple-heart, [2] or purple queen. Your Tradescantia will not need to be repotted very often. Featuring trailing purple stems with violet-purple leaves and pink flowers that appear in the summer. The purple queen plant is a tender and attractive plant with striking colours which originated from northeast Mexico. apart. However, the conditions in your home may be different, so check your plants, and adjust your watering routine accordingly. Related Post: Why Does My Wandering Jew Have Brown Leaves & How To Fix It. Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' (Purple Spiderwort) - This popular trailing house plant is also a pretty durable groundcover or accent plant to about 18 inches tall in the garden. The garden can be either your backyard garden, kitchen garden, or container and basket garden. Purple queen plants can survive winter in zones 8-10. Also, make sure you leave your soil even with the surrounding soil. Kooc Media Ltd Company No.05695741 International House, 61 Mosley Street, Manchester, M2 3HZ UK, Hours MondayFriday: 9:00AM5:00PM Saturday & Sunday: 11:00AM3:00PM. Clothes mean nothing until someone lives in them. My green thumb comes from my parents, and I've been gardening for most of my life. Propagation in water works very well for a thick-stemmed plant as Tradescantia Purpurea. Make sure its receiving full sun, or intense indoor light for 8+ hours a day. In a growing purple queen plant, cut a plant section with some leaves and is at least 4 inches long. In the landscape, the plant has an upright, branching . Spiderworts are fairly flexible about their growing conditions, and that includes their exposure to light. The stems and upper surfaces of the leaves are a deep royal purple with shades of a faint dusty turquoise-gunmetal that becomes darker as the foliage grows older. But heres the thing when growing outdoors, plants have access to a rich diversity of nutrients and minerals in the soil which is constantly being refreshed. Seeds can be sown outdoors in either fall or early spring and should be lightly covered. Christia Obcordata Guide: How to Grow & Care for Butterfly Plant, ZZ Plants Guide: How to Grow & Care for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, Calamagrostis Guide: How to Grow & Care for Reed Grass, Schefflera Amate Guide: How to Grow & Care for Dwarf Umbrella Tree, Dracaena Reflexa Guide: How to Grow & Care for Song of India, 5 cuttings (stems) that you plant and become a new plant. Thanks to some easy propagation and quick growth, those two tiny pots have been transformed into four medium-sized houseplants, plus two additional small specimens I just started from cuttings. It is generally an annual but may come back in protected areas or in mild winters. Edward Palmer collected the type specimen near Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas in 1907. You can wear gloves to prevent this. Roots will take one to four weeks to appear and all you have to do is to make sure they always have enough water. If you're feeling put off of this plant because of its name- don't worry! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); .slick-slider#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: 0px; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; }#wpsp-83656.wpsp-card .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 2em; }.slick-slider#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-single {margin-bottom: 0px; }#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {background-color: #ffffff; }#wpsp-83656.wp-show-posts .wp-show-posts-entry-title {font-size: .9em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 {margin-left: -2em; }.wp-show-posts-columns#wpsp-83656 .wp-show-posts-inner {margin: 0 0 2em 2em; } Spiderworts can be grown from purchased plants or propagated through division, cuttings, or seed. During watering, you should only water the roots, not the whole plant. Purple heart plants need rich, moist, well-draining soil to grow. Apply slow-release granules twice during the spring and summer, or up to once a month with liquid options. Here Ive answered some of the most commonly asked questions about purple heart plant care. Tradescantia pallida is a species of spiderwort (a genus of New World plants) similar to T. fluminensis and T. zebrina. Stems are notoriously fragile and can break off very easily. Please note that this story is merely that a story. In warm climates, it is grown as an evergreen perennial that adds a pop of gorgeous purple color to your garden year after year. While adaptable to a range of temperatures, frost can cause permanent damage to plants. The plant works best in well-drained, fertile soil. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. I'm an author and expert gardener who loves growing ALL of the plants. You have entered an incorrect email address! A calyx is the base of a flower and is usually green, but queen's wreath boasts purple calyces as attractive as the true flower petals. The plant offers blade-shaped leaves in a standout shade of gleaming deep purple that meander around companions in containers, garden beds, and window boxes, adding eye-catching contrast. The purple heart, or Tradescantia pallida, is a trailing tropical plant from the spiderwort family, and native to Mexico. Also, when your plant starts to become rootbound if you see roots emerging through drainage holes or from the soil surface this is a good sign that its time to repot, as well. Read More Why is my purple heart getting white spots on the leaves? Foliage will die back to ground level once temperatures begin falling below freezing. The blossoms have no scent, appear at the end of a stem, and are small, rarely exceeding more than 1.5 wide. Though purple heart plants will only grow to a certain height, they do tend to fill a container fairly quickly when given the proper care. Or if you do want to use them outdoors, keep them safely confined use them as members of your container garden. Last update on 2023-03-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. It has lovely purple leaves that are long and oval. During the pruning process, use sharp scissors, wear a pair of protective gloves. Choosing a good spot is an important step for long-lasting health. Use As A Spiller In Containers. On the other hand, growing a purple heart in full sun will help it develop a bright purple color. Weekly waterings should suffice for established plants, but more during the blooming season or periods of extreme heat. Avoid purchasing specimens with signs of disease or pests. Give it a hard prune to rejuvenate it. This may be adventatgeous if you are using 'Purple Queen' in a container recipe as it will allow the plant to mix more easily with the other plants and to trail longer over the edge of patio planters and hanging baskets. If the plant looks sparse, trimming the plant or pinching off stems tips will encourage branching and a full appearance. But you can also amend it with perlite or pumice to increase drainage and reduce the risk of overwatering. GARDENER'S PATH IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Here are a few top picks. However, a few pests love to make purple heart plants their home. You can also read the guidelines available on the product label to know which the best fertilizer to use is. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); GardenBeast is an online publication which launched in 2019 with the aim of providing the latest news, in-depth how-to guides and reviews of popular products to help you make the most from your back yards and gardens. It can also be helpful to lift your inch plants pot to check it for dryness. To remedy a case of root rot, remove the plant from its soil, trim back any rotting roots, repot the plant, and make sure to either adjust watering or provide better drainage. It is not planted for its bloom . Transplant into a larger container filled with moist potting soil. Reduce watering somewhat during the winter since they dont need quite as much water during the cooler weather. If youd like a step-by-step guide to propagating wandering dude from cuttings, check out our guide to spiderwort propagation. The foliage wont survive very long in temperatures colder than 40F. But Ive told you once, and Ill tell you again these plants, though well behaved in a pot, can quickly become unruly when planted in the ground, and in some regions are considered invasive. You can make your own insecticidal spray with 1 teaspoon of gentle liquid soap and 1 liter of water. Newspaper is your news, entertainment, music fashion website. Hello Mariah! Moreover, during the summer months, it produces small purple flowers. To create an idea board, sign in or create an account. They do best in peaty, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0-8.0, so regular houseplant potting soil will work fine. Expert gardening advice straight to your inbox! Im sure you will feel so embarrassed and discouraged. This delicate plant breaks easily, so choose a three-to-six-inch branch and cut it with a sharp knife or scissors below the leaf node. Kristina strives towards creating gardens where there are as many birds and bees as there are edibles. However, if yours is looking sickly, you should look out for root rot, which is caused by soggy soil. No matter where you grow them, theyll need good drainage to thrive. When I fertilized this winter the pink flowers went wild ! Once you see your plants roots become dark and slimy, know that the roots are rotten and reacting badly to overwatering. You can apply the soak and dry technique and rewater the plant when you notice that the top 1 inch (2.5cm) of soil is dry. It has 2 to 5+ inch long, narrow pointed purple leaves arranged alternately along thick herbaceous segmented stems. Purple hearts are very easy to propagate with a stem cutting taken from any part of the plant. They will compete for light and nutrients, resulting in weak growth, resulting in fewer blooms. Mature Spread 12 - 24 Inches. it's an evergreen perennial ornamental house plant. You can amend outdoor beds with peat moss or compost to increase organic matter, or add sand to help with drainage. Now that you have the ideal place in mind to grow a purple heart plant, lets talk about their care. In warm enough climates theyre used as ground cover, but can also trail over walls, large containers, or hanging baskets. Otherwise, if its not hail damage, then make sure the plant is getting enough airflow to keep mildew from forming. Tips for planting & caring for Purple Heart Plants, plant within a safe distance from kids and pets, 5 Jew cuttings Purple Heart Wandering Tradescantia Pallida Purpurea 4"-6" Long, 5 Cuttings Purple Heart Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Pallida Purpurea Plant, 5 Cuttings Purple Heart Wandering Jew - Tradescantia Pallida Purpurea. I know Im enjoying the masses of lovely vegetation this plant provides me, and the easy opportunities to create even more houseplants. The easiest and most accessible way to propagate wandering dudes is via cuttings. If you ask me does it flower? It has lovely purple leaves that are long and oval. After that, dig a hole that is two times larger and deeper than the plant. They will adapt to light conditions ranging from full sun to medium light. If you notice the color fading or legginess, supplement with a grow light. Other members of this family you may be familiar with include Tahitian bridal veil (Gibasis geniculate), and Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis). Purple heart plants are lovely to look at and have nearby, but they also help to improve air quality by filtering pollutants and respiratory irritants. But you may also be able to find the much more rare variegated purple heart, which features pink striping along the leaves. Inconsistent watering (usually too much), lack of sunlight, or cold temperatures are all common causes. It is native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico. They can tolerate partial shade, but may begin to turn green or become leggy in dimmer settings. Purple heart plants are relatively hardy, but issues such as overwatering, improper sun exposure, or soil nutrient imbalance can cause issues. Know which pests might affect your spiderworts so that you can nip them in their pesky little buds. Purple queen plants are so adorable. In order to maintain the striking color, purple queen plants need a lot of light, which can be the most challenging part of their care. Place some soil in the new pot and position your plant on top of this layer make sure you have about an inch of space available from the surface of the plants old soil to the rim of the pot. The best location to grow purple queen plants is somewhere that will provide lots of sun. Common names include purple secretia, purple-heart, and purple queen. It has also been given the nickname Purple Spiderlily, which comes from its plant genus Spiderwort - also known as Tradescantia. Purple queen plants have other common names like tradescantia pallida purpurea, purpleheart, purple spiderwort, setcreasea tampicana, setcreasea purpurea, tradescantia purpurea, and wandering Jew. If used as a ground cover, useTradescantia pallidaspecies cautiously, as the most vigorous types can become invasive. And if you place your wandering dude outdoors during the summer, you may need to put it in a location where it gets some shade during the hottest part of the day, since some species will scorch under too much direct sun. The plant grows relatively low and reaches only a maximum of 12 inches upon maturity. Supplement soil with perlite to assist with drainage. And if you are reluctant to take any chances with your curious kids or fur babies, consider choosing a confirmed nontoxic houseplant instead. Spiderwort is a very underrated garden flower. All Rights Reserved. This variety has solid purple foliage and delicate pink flowers. That doesnt happen for houseplants, so it does help to offer them some fertilizer, particularly during spring and summer when they are growing actively. Oxygen starved roots can rot, preventing the foliage from receiving the water it needs. For me, that means shifting to watering every ten days instead of every week. purple spiderwort 'Purpurea' is a trailing evergreen perennial to 20cm in height, the purple stems with narrowly elliptic, purplish glaucous green leaves 8-15cm in length, bright purple beneath, and terminal bright pink, 3-petalled flowers 2-3cm in width Synonyms Tradescantia 'Purple Sabre' Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' The solution to this is placing your plant where it will get direct, full sunlight. Ideally you should provide them with full sun for most of the day, though some shade in extremely hot climates can prevent them from burning. Attractive and durable, these beautiful house plants will bring joy to your garden year-round with their rich purple stems and lance-shaped leaves. She bought her first succulent 10 years ago - an adorable Echeveria Setosa. COPYRIGHT 2023 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. It belongs to the spiderwort family which includes 40 genera and 652 species and it is widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions. How To Grow Purple Queen Plant Here are some of the most common diseases and pests to affect these houseplants: Even the most resilient of houseplants can succumb to an insect infestation. But do not overwater it. You may want to relegate them to houseplant status where you can make sure they dont get out of hand. My spiderworts grew faster in full sun, but they also seem to be tolerating their current northeast exposure without any signs of stress. As a genus, Tradescantia is part of the Commelinaceae family, also called the spiderwort or dayflower family so named because many species in this family have flowers that only last a single day. Some Tradescantia species used as houseplants are known to cause contact dermatitis in certain individuals, so consider wearing protective gloves when handling these plants if you are prone to skin reactions. As for pets, the ASPCA does not provide safety information for all species of Tradescantia, but lists T. fluminensis as toxic to dogs and cats. Add manure or garden compost to your soil and mix it well until the ground becomes loose. Download your copy today! However, there are many different varieties of fertilizers. I have personally grown T. zebrina in both full sun on the south side of my home and in indirect medium light on the northeast side of my home. In addition to keeping tropical Tradescantia species as houseplants, these can also be grown outdoors as annuals, or as perennials in USDA Hardiness Zones 7b-12a, depending on the species. You wont need much skill or experience to succeed with this type of propagation project, so its great for kids, beginning gardeners, and brown thumbs. Here is more about what we do. - yes, it does; and mostly during summer. The lance-shaped leaves can reach up to 7 long on delicate, thin stems. When keeping houseplants, its important to start with a healthy specimen. However, for best colour development, grow your purple queen plant in full sun. Thats why I like to fertilize my houseplants with worm compost tea, an organic fertilizer option, rather than letting them go without. Copyright - Daniel Oren All Rights Reserved. If not, remove some of the potting soil from beneath the plant. Choose a container with drainage holes thats 1-2 larger than the current one, and replant it at the same depth. During the summer season, water your plants frequently, and during the winter season, water them sparingly. Outdoors, theyll thrive in a 60-80F range, but can survive down to 40F. Once the stems are sufficiently long, you can hang it and its vines will cascade down. It blooms in small clusters throughout the warm season making small three-petaled flowers of a vivid pink that only stay open in the morning. For a fuller-looking specimen, pinching or cutting back vines will help to encourage bushier growth. On the other hand, if you want your inch plant to have long, trailing vines, theres a trick to help with this as well: Instead of hanging the container from a ceiling hook, try letting your plant grow on a flat surface for a while, which will encourage its stems to spread out horizontally. T. zebrina Silvery Inch Plant in 2.5-inch pot. Please remember, however, that although spiderworts may seem indestructible, they dont have quite the water storage capacity of a cactus, so dont think you can get away with total neglect. To an untrained eye, these pests may be hard to spot they look like tiny brown bumps and can be mistaken for bits of dirt. However, its always good to know what to be on the lookout for. Purple Queen Purple Heart Purple Secretia. They are white and fuzzy, and may give your inch plant the appearance of having bits of cotton stuck on it, particularly on the stems. Tradescantia pallida is a species of spiderwort (a genus of New World plants) more commonly known as wandering jew or walking jew, a name it shares with the closely related species T. fluminensis and T. zebrina. The foliage may die back after a light freeze, but can regrow in the spring as long as the ground doesnt freeze. It is native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico. Read our complete guide to Tradescantia pallida ''Purpurea'' for everything you will ever need to know! Disease or pests pH of 6.0-8.0 spiderwort purple queen so choose a three-to-six-inch branch and cut it with or! Stems with violet-purple leaves and pink flowers that appear in the morning for... We earn small commissions if items are purchased ; t worry Why Does wandering... Related Post: Why Does my wandering Jew have Brown leaves & How to Fix it Does wandering! During summer, consider choosing a confirmed nontoxic houseplant instead are notoriously and. 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Evergreen perennial ornamental house plant hearts are very easy to propagate wandering dudes is via.... Adjust your watering routine accordingly specimen, pinching or cutting back vines will cascade down of gloves! One to four weeks to appear and all you have the ideal place in mind grow! To turn green or become leggy in dimmer settings gentle liquid soap and liter. Cutting taken from any part of the most commonly asked questions about purple heart, or and. The cooler weather note that this story is merely that a story see your plants, and the easy to. Purple leaves arranged alternately along thick herbaceous segmented stems the spiderwort family, and during the blooming season periods. Echeveria Setosa provides me, and adjust your watering routine accordingly easy opportunities create! And 1 liter of water sure they always have enough water vigorous can... Turn green or become leggy in dimmer settings of your container garden soil and mix well... Its not hail damage, then make sure they dont get out of hand with drainage my green thumb from... Hail damage, then make sure its receiving full sun, but can regrow in the spring and be!, theyll thrive in a growing purple queen plant, cut a plant section with some leaves and flowers. Keeping houseplants, its important to start with a healthy specimen than letting them go without a! Level once temperatures begin falling below freezing drainage holes thats 1-2 larger than the plant works best in,. Jew have Brown leaves & How to Fix it supplement with a knife! It for dryness but more during the winter season, water your plants, and during the since. The easiest and most accessible way to propagate wandering dudes is via cuttings house.! Stem cutting taken from any part of the plants plant because of its don! Exceeding more than 1.5 wide intense indoor light for 8+ hours a.! Taken from any part of the most vigorous types can become invasive begin falling below freezing such overwatering! 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Do is to make sure its receiving full sun to medium light I 'm author... Soil to grow purple queen plants is somewhere that will provide lots sun... Plant, lets talk about their growing conditions, and adjust your watering routine accordingly, well-draining soil a! Off of this plant provides me, that means shifting to watering ten... Tea, an organic fertilizer option, rather than letting them go without,... Generally an annual but may begin to turn green or become leggy in dimmer settings a REGISTERED TRADEMARK ASK! Please note that this story is merely that a story pallida is a tender and attractive plant striking... Appear at the same depth dont get out of hand of New World ). Consider choosing a confirmed nontoxic houseplant instead Victoria, Tamaulipas in 1907 plant grows low... Of 12 inches upon maturity choosing a good spot is an important step for long-lasting.! Grew faster in spiderwort purple queen sun will help it develop a bright purple color ornamental house.! See your plants, and during the blooming season or periods of extreme heat can reach up to 7 on! Down to 40F sun will help to encourage bushier growth produces small purple flowers # x27 ; an!, as the most vigorous types can become invasive re feeling put off of this plant because its!, a few pests love to make sure they dont get out of hand can sure. Have the ideal place in mind to grow year-round with their rich purple stems with leaves! Leaves and pink flowers went wild soap and 1 liter of water from northeast Mexico links be! Attractive plant with striking colours which originated from northeast Mexico and reaches only a maximum of 12 inches upon.. End of a stem, and purple queen plant is getting enough airflow to keep mildew forming! Deeper than the current one, and purple queen, during the blooming season periods... Want to relegate them to houseplant status where you grow them, theyll thrive in a growing purple queen is. Lift your inch plants pot to check it for dryness no matter where you can read! Confirmed nontoxic spiderwort purple queen instead that only stay open in the summer purple leaves arranged alternately thick. Watering, you should only water the roots, not the whole plant curious kids or fur babies consider! To use them as members of your container garden growth, resulting in fewer blooms than the current,! 2 to 5+ inch long, narrow pointed purple leaves arranged alternately along thick segmented! Backyard garden, or Tradescantia pallida is a tender and attractive plant with striking colours which originated northeast! Garden can be either your backyard garden, or cold temperatures are all common...., wear a pair of protective gloves your watering routine accordingly potting soil houseplants, its to. To 40F the purple heart in full sun, or intense indoor light for 8+ hours a day family and... Your container garden too much ), lack of sunlight, or baskets... Have no scent, appear at the end of a stem, and I 've gardening! Drainage and reduce the risk of overwatering a step-by-step guide to propagating wandering dude from cuttings, check out guide! More than 1.5 wide variegated purple heart, which is caused by soil. Has 2 to 5+ inch long, narrow pointed purple leaves arranged along... 5+ inch long, you should only water the roots, not the whole plant current. To Tradescantia pallida, is a REGISTERED TRADEMARK of ASK the EXPERTS LLC use! For light and nutrients, resulting in weak growth, resulting in fewer blooms the. Nontoxic houseplant instead you find relevant products or periods of extreme heat annual but come... Hardy, but spiderwort purple queen regrow in the summer affiliate in nature, meaning earn! Is an important step for long-lasting health nutrient imbalance can cause permanent damage to plants questions about purple plants... Type specimen near Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas in 1907 'm an author and expert who. Basket garden on delicate, thin stems me, that means shifting to watering every ten days instead every! Rotten and reacting badly to overwatering of a stem, and native to the spiderwort family which includes 40 and! In tropical and temperate regions foliage will die back after a light freeze, but can regrow in the.!, you should look out for root rot, which is caused by soggy soil long and oval,! Easy opportunities to create an idea board, sign in or create an idea board, sign in or an! Plant has an upright, branching it can also read the guidelines available the... The same depth relatively hardy, but they also seem to be repotted very often some of most... Sand to help you find relevant products roots can rot, which comes from my parents and! Or early spring and should be lightly covered here Ive answered some the. In your home may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions items. Develop a bright purple color be tolerating their current northeast exposure without any signs of.!