Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida) Indoor Care, Propagation, Problems with Solutions

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Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida) performs best in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and moderately moist, rich, free-draining soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.

Tradescantia pallida also called Purple Queen Plant is one of the popular Tradescantia varieties on its account of ease of care and ability to adapt to wide range of growing conditions.

Purple Queen Plant bears leaves which are elongated, pointed, slightly hairy, glaucous green, fringed with red or purple placing it among the best purple-leaved plants for the home, office and other places.

Purple Heart Plant flowers are small, sterile, three-petaled and are white, pink or purple. The stems are clearly segmented and roots easily grow from the joints.

Tradescantia pallida which also goes by the botanical names, Setcreasea purpurea and Setcreasea pallida is reknowned for its air cleaning properties.

Botanical name: Tradescantia pallida
Synonym: Setcreasea purpurea, Setcreasea pallida
Family: Commelinaceae
Common names: Purple Heart Plant, Purple Queen Plant

Origin

Tradescantia pallida is native to the Gulf Coast of eastern Mexico.

Size

Purple Heart Plant is a small-sized plant which grows to a height of 1-2 feet and a spread of 1-2 feet. It is one of the best plants for the limited spcaes in the home or office.

Invasiveness as a weed

Purple Heart Plants are invasive and noxious weeds in many places. They will successfully grow anywhere and will smoother ground level plants and prevent the natural regeneration of taller species. Avoid planting the plant in the ground and dispose only after complete destruction as even an inch of these plants will sprout if not completely destroyed.

Toxicity

Tradescantia pallida is mildly toxic to humans and pets. If ingested, the plant sap can cause burning in the mouth, tongue and throat. The sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive skin; always wear gloves when handling this plant.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add the gorgeous Purple Heart Plants to your collection, you may obtain them online from Etsy (Link to Etsy).

Purple Heart Plant Care Indoors

Purple Heart Plant does best under bright indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-27⁰C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.

Tradescantia pallida needs repotting only when extremely pot-bound as it grows best when slightly root-bound. Regular pruning is needed to keep it neat, to discourage pest and disease infestations, to encourage a bushy, compact growth and to rejuvenate growth. Keep reading for more on the best growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Purple Heart Plant grows best in bright indirect light. Keep it away from direct sunshine as it can lead to scorching of the leaves.

Purple Queen Plant can be grown under grow lights if the natural light is not sufficient. Take a look at these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.

Water Requirements

Water Purple Heart Plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist.

Cut down on watering during the cold weather to keep the soil slightly moist as growth is minimal. Do not allow the soil to dry out completely to avoid wilting and drooping leaves.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy soil to prevent root-rot and death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth of 18-27⁰C is ideal for Purple Heart Plant. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden flactuations in temperatures as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.

Purple Queen Plant has no need for extra humidity. Moderate air humidity of 50-55% is ideal for this Plant. However, where the temperatures are too high, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to elevate humidity. Too low humidity will lead to brown, shrivelled leaf tips.

Clean the leaves occasionally by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Confirm that there is proper circulation to minimize fungal diseases.

Fertilizer

Feed Purple Heart Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growing period. Do not feed in the cold season as the growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Potting Soil

Purple Heart Plant soil should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Purple Heart Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become extremely pot-bound as it grows best when the roots are confined.

Use a pot one size larger than the current one and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these ceramic pots with drainage holes and saucer on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Purple Queen Plant involves regular removal of dead foliage to maintain the plant neat as well as reduce pest and disease infestations. To control the growth and encourage bushyness, pinch the growing tips. Cutback the leggy stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Tradescantia pallida propagation can be be during the growing period by plant divison or from stem-cuttings. Keep reading for more on these two methods of propagation.

Purple Heart Plant propagation by plant division

Water the Purple Heart Plant thoroughly at least 1 day before to make it easier to divide and also hasten establishment. A well hydrated plant suffers less shock and takes a shorter time to take root.

Take the plant out of its pot and carefully divide it into sections. Ensure each sections has adequate roots and at least one set of leaves.

Select a 6 or 8 inches pot and ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting.

Fill the pot with free-draining soil and make a hole in the center of the pot. Ensure that the hole is slightly wider than the root base of the section.

Place the section in the previously made hole and lightly firm the soil around the base while taking care not to bury it too deep; maintain the section at the same soil level it was in the previous pot.

Water the soil thoroughly and place the set up in a well-lit, warm place until the new Purple Queen Plant is well established after which you can begin routine care.

Purple Heart Plant propagation from stem cuttings

The stem cuttings root easily so there is no need for rooting hormone. Take a stem cutting of about 4-6 inches from a healthy Purple Heart Plant and ensure it bears at least two sets of leaves.

Allow some time for the formation of a protective callus tissue over the cuts of the cuttings to prevent rotting.

Fill the rooting container with free-draining to a depth of about 4 inches. Lightly moisten the soil.

With a pencil or similar object make a hole that is wider than the diameter of the cutting.

Once callused, insert the cutting in the hole made previously to a depth of about 3 inches.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist through out until new growth emerges.

Allow the new Tradescantia pallida to be well established before transplanting to individual pots after which you can begin routine care.

Tradescantia pallida Problems with Solutions

Purple Heart Plant problems include leggy growth, dull leaves, shrivelled leaf tips, rotting, yellowing leaves, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Pests

Common pests in Purple Heart Plant are mealy bugs, aphids and scale insects. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the pests. Learn how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.

Diseases

Purple Heart Plant is prone to leaf spot disease which is prevalent in overwet conditions coupled with poor air circulation. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other plants and treat it for the disease. To reduce future infestation, improve on ventilation.

Plant dying

Purple Heart Plant is dying due to root-rot which is promoted by soggy soil. Ensure that the soil is free-draining and that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy. In addition, reduce watering in the cold season as growth is minimal at this time and thus the plant does not require a lot of water.

Brown shrivelled leaf tips

Brown, shrivelled leaf tips in Purple Heart Plant is due to too dry air especially where the temperatures are too high. To elevate humidity, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen, laundry area and other moist areas. Read more on how to raise humidity for houseplants.

Limp stems, yellow leaves

Limp stems and yellow leaves in Purple Heart Plant are due to underwatering which results in too little moisture in the soil. Underwatering means that there is not enough water in the soil for the plant to take up. As such, the stems become limp and the leaves begin to die.

Water the plant thoroughly during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 inches of soil to dry out between waterings to maintain the soil moderately moist. Cut down on watering in the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but never allow the soil to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water houseplants the right way.

Leggy growth (elongated stems)

There are three possible causes of leggy growth in Purple Heart Plant. One possible cause of leggy growth is too little light. Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will get bright indirect light or instal grow lights if you do not have adequate light in your home. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

The second cause of leggy growth in Purple Queen Plant is underwatering resulting in too little moisture in the soil, thus the plant does not get enough water and nutrients necessary for growth.

Water the plant liberally during the growing season and maintain the soil moderately moist. Decrease watering in the cold period and keep the soil slightly moist but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

The third cause of leggy growth in Tradescantia pallida is inadequate feeding (underfeeding). Feed the plant every 2 weeks in the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer to promote healthy growth. Do not feed the plant in the cold season to avoid fertilizer burn as growth is minimal at this time. Learn more on how to feed houseplants.

Dull leaves

Dull leaves in Purple Heart Plant are due to inadequate light (too little light). Position the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light where the natural light is not sufficient for the plant.

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