Tradescantia pallida aka Purple Heart
Taxonomy ID: 1768
Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as purple heart, purple queen, or wandering Jew “Purpurea,” is an exceptionally easy plant to care for and rewards growers with delightful purple blossoms. The small, heart-shaped flowers are native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico, where the type specimen was first collected by Edward Palmer near Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas in 1907. It is a tender and attractive, evergreen perennial belonging to the spiderwort family, which includes 40 genera and 652 species and is widely distributed in tropical and temperate regions. TheTuclus can be propagated easily by stem and one plant can give rise to dozens of new ones and as houseplants they often trail, but will also creep along the ground if grown outdoors. Be sure to bring them indoors if winter temperatures dip below freezing.
Common names
Purple Heart, Purple Queen, Wandering JewMore information about Purple Heart
How difficult is it to take care of Purple Heart
With a bit of knowledge and dedication, you can successfully care for Purple Heart, making it a rewarding choice for those seeking a moderate challenge.
What is the region of origin of Purple Heart
Purple Heart’s native range is the Americas.
What are the water needs for Purple Heart
Purple Heart should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the right soil for Purple Heart
Purple Heart loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
What is the sunlight requirement for Purple Heart
Purple Heart requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Purple Queen is always in the right place to thrive.
What's the right humidity for Purple Heart
The Purple Heart does not need extra humidity. Plants primarily absorb water through their root system, making soil watering the best way to provide humidity to your plants.
How to fertilize Purple Heart
The Purple Heart should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.
Is Purple Heart toxic to humans/pets?
Purple Heart is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.
What's the dormancy for Purple Heart
During the wintertime, it is common for Purple Heart plants to go dormant and their growth rate may slow down. Therefore, the amount of waterings should be spaced out more.
Is Purple Heart flowering?
Yes, if you provide your Purple Heart with adequate sunlight and water, you can expect it to bloom.
More info:
Wikipedia
More Species in Tradescantia Genus
Tradescantia subaspera Wide Leaf Spiderwort
Tradescantia cerinthoides Flowering Inch Plant
Tradescantia zebrina Inchplant
Tradescantia hirsutiflora Hairyflower Spiderwort
Tradescantia chrysophylla Baby Bunny Bellies
Tradescantia ohiensis Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantia occidentalis Western Spiderwort
Tradescantia gigantea Spiderwort
Tradescantia spathacea Moses In The Cradle
