In a previous article titled "The Flame Violet" I wrote about a former employer of mine who once held a plant party – similar to a Tupperware party – where I purchased an Episcia Cupreata. I also mentioned that previous to that day, I’d never seen this lovely plant before. But it wasn’t the only exceptional plant that was available at that glorious party or the only one that I set eyes on for the first time. There was another beautiful specimen that every woman at that party was aiming for. One of us got lucky enough to go home with it (good lord, this is starting to sound pornographic) but it wasn’t me.

The plant I’m referring to is the Tradescantia Pallida, commonly-referred to as the Purple Heart, and listed in some of my older houseplant books as Setcreasea Pallida or Setcreasea Purpurea. When I arrived at the plant party that day, I couldn’t help but notice the Tradescantia Pallida with its rich purple foliage. It had been potted up in a hanging basket, its lance-shaped leaves hanging gracefully over the sides. I was charmed. The problem is that everyone else was too.

I don’t remember how we ended up selecting plants that day, whether there was a bid for them or whether each one of use got the opportunity to choose a certain amount. This was much too long ago. But I do remember that I never got near the Purple Heart, never stood a chance. One of the older women at the party, who happened to be one of the managers at work (which I wasn’t), ended up taking that plant home - coincidentally. And I do remember that from the moment we all arrived at the get-together, she was determined to do so. Can you say pushy?

Needless to say that I was quite disappointed that day at losing the opportunity to go home with a houseplant that was unlike anything I’d ever grown before. I seriously contemplated making a voodoo doll of the woman who pushed her way to the front of the line for the Tradescantia Pallida so that I can joyfully stick 100 pins in it. But I figured sooner or later I’d run across one at some local store. And I did. Years later. I had no idea that this lovely plant would be so hard to find locally. I had come to the conclusion that a plant this beautiful would be highly in demand and therefore readily available for purchase. Boy was I wrong. At least about local greenhouses. Perhaps it’s popular in other cities, certainly not here. I should’ve stuck with the voodoo doll project.

(Incidentally, this plant has been available in many local garden centers for the past few months; it hadn’t been around for years.)

Anyhow, after waiting for so long, I eventually spotted a newly-arrived shipment of these gorgeous Tradescantias in a local garden center and did not hesitate to bring one home. I was finally the proud owner of the much sought-after, much longed-for Tradescantia Pallida. And I grinned from ear to ear – for about six to eight weeks. That’s how long it takes this plant to go from charming to homely. And that’s being generous.

Let me explain.

There are plants that age well; there are plants that don’t. The Purple Heart falls into the latter category; it becomes unattractive as it gets older - straggly, washed-out, tired. And it seems to age rather quickly. This is not to say that the plant must be discarded; it should simply be ‘replaced’ with freshly propagated specimens. The beauty of this plant is that it propagates almost overnight (slight exaggeration), which allows you to have a new plant quickly. So even though it can lose its attractiveness, with the proper care, pruning and frequent propagation, you can always have a fresh, attractive specimen adorning your home. And when this plant is in top shape, it is absolutely stunning.


Caring For A Purple Heart

Tradescantia Pallida, a trailing plant native to Mexico, is an ideal choice for a hanging basket with its outstanding purple stems and leaves that are covered with a thin layer of fine hair. In the spring or summer, the plant produces short-lived pink flowers that appear at the stem tips. The blooms are small but they are an attractive addition to this extraordinary plant that is primarily

This is a fast-growing specimen that does not have a rest period, so don’t be surprised if repotting to a larger container may be required twice in the same year. Cuttings root very easily in soil or water (usually within 1 – 3 weeks), which can lead to several new plants to fill your home with or pass on as gifts. This attractive specimen is a one-time investment with its speedy growth and its ability to propagate effortlessly. If you buy just one of these plants, you need not ever buy one again.

In order to maintain the deep purple colouring, the plant must be grown in areas with high levels of light where it can enjoy at least 3 – 4 hours of direct sun per day. Although the Purple Heart will tolerate some shade, it will not grow as vigorously and the leaves will lose their rich colour, reverting to a green shade.

Use a fast-draining, porous soil and water thoroughly after the surface of the medium is dry. If your plant is located in a warm, sunny location and growing very rapidly, it may need to be watered quite frequently, so make sure you check up on this plant regularly, especially during the summer season. This is an excellent candidate for the hydroculture system. You can choose to convert a specimen that is growing in soil, or just take cuttings, root them in water and pot them up in clay pellets. Be careful when you are handling the stems; they are easily broken.

Average room temperatures are ideal all year round. Humidity is not critical but above average levels will be appreciated. Because it does not seem to have a resting period, you can feed once a month with an all purpose, liquid fertilizer that is diluted to half strength. Repot the plant as soon as the roots fill the container.

In order to keep the plant bushy, pinch regularly. When the plant becomes leggy, prune back heavily to promote new, compact growth. There’s no need to discard the cuttings; use them to start new specimens. Although, eventually, you may need to toss a few out; the plant has a tendency of growing and reproducing itself faster than you can keep up with it.

For another interesting article on this plant, head over to:
Schlub (Tradescantia pallida)



Tradescantia Pallida continues to be one of my favourite plants, regardless of how quickly it can deteriorate and lose its pleasant appearance. By pruning often and starting new plants regularly, there’s always a fresh specimen ready to replace a fading one.

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