Purple Passion Plant (Gynura Plant) Care Indoors, Propagation & Common Problems

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Gynura also called Velvet Plant is a popular, trailing plant whose foliage is covered with shiny purple hairs and is perfect for adding a splash of color in any space. It is one of the magnficent purple-leaved plants.

Velvet Plants are easy-care, fast-growing plants whose shiny purple hairs on the foliage impart a velvety feel to the plants, hence, the common name.

Gynura Plants produce small dandelion-like flowers which have a rather offensive smell and need to be removed at the bud stage.

Like the delightful Piggyback Plant (Tolmiea menziesii), Purple Passion Plant is one of the best plants for a hanging basket.

Botanical name: Gynura
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: Purple Passion Plant, Velvet Plant

Origin

Gynura genus (Purple Passion plants) belong to the family Asteraceae and are native to Asia.

Varieties

Only a few species of the Gynura genus are grown indoors. One of them is Gynura sarmentosa, which is a trailer, whose foliage is gleaming purple in bright light and is ideal for a hanging basket.

Gynura aurantiaca, has larger leaves and is more upright. Gynura procumbens (Longevity Spinach), which is a trailer, whose leaves are deep burgundy colored at the bottom and is ideal for a hanging basket.

Is Purple Passion Plant toxic?

No. Purple Passion Plant is non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. However, it may cause allergic skin reactions to people with sensitive skin. Always wear gloves when handling the plant.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add Purple Passion Plants to your collection. You may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

How to care for Purple Passion Plant indoors

To care for Purple Passion Plant indoors, give it bright light with 4-6 hours of sunlight, warmth of 15-26⁰C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in spring and summer.

Gynura Plant requires annual repotting and regular pruning to keep it neat as well as encourage a bushy growth. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Gynura aurantiaca

Watering

Water your Purple Passion Plant thoroughly in spring and summer while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry a little between waterings. Keep the soil moderately moist and avoid overwatering to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf loss.

Lessen watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil slightly moist as growth is slowed at this time. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf drop.

To prevent staining and browning of leaf edges, use water that is free of chlorine and other dissolved chemicals. in addition, use room temperature to prevent cold shock which can result in stunted growth and leaf fall.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is free-draining to prevent waterlogging as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.

Light Requirements

Purple Passion Plant grows best in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight to enhance leaf color. Shield the plant from hot midday sunshine as it can scorch the leaves.

Insufficient light for Gynura will result in stunted growth and loss of leaf color. Therefore, instal full spectrum grow lights if the natural light in your home is not adequate.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the Velvet Plant gets adequate light on all sides to prevent lopsided growth.

Temperature & Humidity

Purple Passion Plant prefers a warmth of 15-26⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden changes in temperature as they can cause reduced growth and eventual death of the plant.

Velvet Plant needs a humidity of 60-70% for a lush growth and to reduce pest infestations. To step-up humidity, sgroup the plants together, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Maintain good air flow to depress fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Purple Passion Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer to promote a lush growth. Stop feeding in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Purple Passion Plant should be rich and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. A blend of 2 parts organic potting mix and 1 part perlite (for drainage) is ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Purple Passion Plant annually at the beginning of the growing period (spring to early summer). Use a pot 1 size larger than the current one and free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning & Grooming

Pruning Purple Passion Plant involves removal of yellow and dead leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations. To encourage a bushy and compact growth, pinch off the growing tips. The tips can be used to propagate new plants.

Remove the flower buds as soon as they appear to avoid having the offensive smell of the flowers. Cutback leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth and also encourage a compact growth.

Clean the leaves by gently brushing off the dust with a soft brush but do not wash with water as it can be trapped between the hairs and thereby cause fungal disease infestations.

Purple Passion Plant Propagation

Purple Passion Plant (Gynura) is best propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem cuttings which can be rooted either in soil or in water.

1. How to root Purple Passion Plant stem cuttings in soil

1. Take a stem cutting of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant and strip off the lower leaves.


2. Fill a small pot that has a drainage hole with free-draining soil and moisten it slightly.


3. Insert 2-3 inches of the stem cutting into the soil.


4. Place the set up in warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.


5. Maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges on the cutting.


6. Once you observe substantial growth, transfer the new plant to a pot one size large and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

2. How to root Purple Passion Plant stem cuttings in water

1. Take a cutting of about 4-5 inches length from a healthy plant and remove the leaves from the bottom end.


2. Submerge 2-3 inches of the lower end of cutting into a jar of plain water.


3. Place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot and change the water every 5-7 days.


4. When a good amount of roots have formed, transfer the cuttings into a small pot in moist free-draining soil.


5. Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunshine.


6. Maintain the soil moist until new growth has emerged and substantial growth has been observed.


7. Transfer the rooted cutting into a pot one size larger and begin routine care. For a fuller plant, transfer several cuttings into one pot.

Gynura sarmentosa

Purple Passion Plant Problems & Remedies

Purple Passion Plant (Gynura) problems are leggy growth, brown leaf tips, drooping leaves, loss of leaf color, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Leggy growth

Leggy growth coupled with undersized leaves on Purple Passion Plant are caused by too little light or overfeeding.

How to fix it

Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright light with 4-6 hours direct sunlight or instal a grow light if the natural light is not sufficient.

Overfeeding: Withhold feeding; only feed every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer.

Brown leaf tips & edges

Brown leaf tips and edges on Purple Passion Plant are due to underwatering, dry air, salts buildup or spidermites infestation.

How to fix it

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feels dry to the touch but do not allow the soilball to dry out completely.

Dry air: Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to elevate humidity.

Salts buildup: Occasionally flush out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil.

Spider mites infestation: Remove dead growth to to reduce the breeding ground for these pests.

Drooping leaves

Drooping leaves on Purple Passion Plant are due to underwatering and temperature stress.

How to fix it

Water the plant immediately and it should perk up.

Underwatering: Water when the top 2-3 inches of soil dry out but never allow the soil to dry out completely.

Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, heat sources, stoves, AC units among others.

Loss of leaf color

Loss of leaf color on Purple Passion Plant is caused by too little light. Move it to a brighter spot and ensure it receives bright light with some direct sunshine to enhance leaf color.

Pests

Purple Passion Plant pests are spider mites, scale insects and aphids especially in too dry conditions.

How to fix it

1. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the rest of the plants.


2. Treat the infested plant with neem oil as per the manufacturer's recommendations.


3. Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and carry out timely control measures.


4. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray, group the plants together or use a humidifier to raise humidity.

Diseases

Purple Passion Plant is prone to root-rot which is prevalent in soggy soil brought about by poor soil drainage.

1. Carefully, slip the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. Brown mushy roots indicate root-rot.


2. Cut the brown-black roots and treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicidal solution as indicated by the manufacturer.


3. Repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil and keep it dry for some time before resuming watering.


4. Use a pot that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.


5. Decrease watering in fall and winter as growth is minimal at this time, thus, the plant does not need much water.

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