
What is the common name of Purple Heart?
As for its common names, it has many of those as well! Wandering jew, walking jew, purple heart, purple queen, and purple secretia are used. It’s also referred to as a combination of any of the above, such as wandering jew purple heart. Phytoremediation is becoming a popular topic in our over-polluted world.
What is Tradescantia pallida or Purple Heart plant?
There are many characteristics why Tradescantia pallida, also known as Purple Heart Plant or Wandering Jew, makes a spectacular plant: It grows very quickly. The purple color of the leaves is almost unmatched! It is extraordinarily easy to propagate and will save you a lot of money if you propagate your indoor plant and use for your outdoor pots.
Why are the leaves on my wandering Jew turning purple?
I have two wandering jews, and there are two variables that affect the color. One is light and the other is water. If you know for sure the plant is getting enough light, then most likely it is (staying green) from watering. If I ignore the plants and let them get on the dry side between watering, the leaves will turn more purple.
Is the Purple Heart plant easy to care for?
In full sun, purple heart develops its bright color. Source: Starr These are some of the best plants for beginners to grow. Not only are they gorgeous, but they’re easy to care for. Let’s go over the basics of wandering jew care briefly, but also specifics for the purple queen itself.

Is purple heart the same as wandering Jew?
Wandering jew, Zebrina pendula, is a totally different species, although it looks somewhat similar to Purple heart. It would be difficult to find a more colorful or faster-growing groundcover than wandering Jew.
What is another name for the purple heart plant?
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) used as a bedding plant at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Tradescantia pallida is a tender evergreen perennial native to northeast Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Yucatan) grown as an ornamental for its striking purple foliage.
What kind of plant is purple heart?
Tradescantia pallidaThe purple heart plant (Tradescantia pallida)—also commonly called purple secretia or purple queen—is a fast-growing member of the spiderwort family, with dark purple leaves and long purple stems. The plants produce small pink and purple flowers, though the leaves are more attention-grabbing than the blooms.
What is another name for wandering Jew plant?
Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is a species of creeping plant in the Tradescantia genus. Common names include silver inch plant and wandering Jew. The latter name (also sometimes used for the related species T. fluminensis) is controversial, and some now use the alternative wandering dude.
Is a purple heart plant poisonous?
In cooler climates, Tradescantia pallida is grown as an annual. It is also widely commercialized as a houseplant. Like other species of the Tradescantia genus, purple heart is toxic to humans1 and toxic to pets2, causing contact dermatitis.
How do you get rid of a purple heart plant?
Simply spray glyphosate onto the foliage you want removed, wait two weeks and only the foliage sprayed will die and dry. You can then take a broom and brush the dead leaves off to leave a clean, sharp line without having to make the first cut or pull the first stem.
How long do Purple Hearts last?
one dayEach flower only lasts one day. It has been recently grown outdoors as a decorative ground cover or bedding plant. It has a tendency to become invasive in beds and survives longer than most bedding plants. It works well in borders, rock gardens, or as an edging plant, use in containers or hanging baskets.
Is purple heart plant invasive?
Purple Heart is classified as an evergreen perinneal. The wild variety of Purple Heart is native to the Gulf region of Eastern Mexico, although the plant is found in most temperate geographic locations due to heavy use in landscaping. It is often considered invasive in many areas.
When can you repot a purple heart?
When and How to Repot? Purple Heart won't require frequent repotting, as this plant doesn't grow that large. In fact, you will only need to do it at least once a year during its growing season in the Spring months or as soon as you notice its roots are starting to push through the drainage holes at the bottom.
Can a purple heart plant be a house plant?
Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' is a tender perennial commonly used as a houseplant or an annual. Featuring trailing purple stems with violet-purple leaves and pink flowers that appear in the summer. It is generally an annual but may come back in protected areas or in mild winters.
What are the purple spring flowers called?
Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) – Lilac produces small purple flowers that grow in dense clumps on the bush. It symbolizes rebirth and is often associated with Easter. Lilacs have a fragrant scent and are often found in gardens and decorative bouquets.
Is purple heart plant invasive?
Purple Heart is classified as an evergreen perinneal. The wild variety of Purple Heart is native to the Gulf region of Eastern Mexico, although the plant is found in most temperate geographic locations due to heavy use in landscaping. It is often considered invasive in many areas.
Where do you cut a purple heart plant?
Cut through the stem 1/4 to 1/2 inch below a node, which is a small swelling at the joint between a leaf and the stem. Purple heart vines tend to zigzag from node to node, so they are easy to see. The roots will grow from this point.
How to get purple back?
If your plants have turned much less purple, or even changed to a green color, you can easily get your purple color back by placing it into direct sun.
How to tell if Tradescantia pallida is getting enough light?
There are a few indications that your Tradescantia pallida is not receiving enough light: The leaves used to be purple but then turned green. The growth seems weaker. The leaves and stems may be thinner.
Is Tradescantia pallida easy to propagate?
There are many characteristics why Tradescantia pallida, also known as Purple Heart Plant or Wandering Jew, makes a spectacular plant: It grows very quickly. The purple color of the leaves is almost unmatched! It is extraordinarily easy to propagate and will save you a lot of money if you propagate your indoor plant and use for your outdoor pots.
Do tradescantia pallida leaves turn green?
They will turn mostly, or completely, green.
What is a purple heart?
Commonly called purple heart or purple heart wandering jew (and occasionally “Moses in the Basket,” although this usually refers to a different species) this herbaceous plant in the Commelinaceae (spiderwort family) is a low-growing trailer that is hardy in zones 7-10, but is easily grown as an annual or houseplant in colder climates.
Where is Purple Heart native to?
Tradescantia pallida is a tender evergreen perennial native to northeast Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Yucatan) grown as an ornamental for its striking purple foliage. Originally named Setcreasea pallida by Joseph Nelson ...
What color flowers go well with purple leaves?
Pair it with complementary colors for bold combinations – chartreuse coleus, orange marigolds or red begonias.
How long are purple leaves on a sage plant?
Dark purple, lance-shaped leaves up to 7” long are produced alternately on fleshy stems. The fleshy leaves are covered with pale hairs and form a sheath around the stem. The stems are quite fragile, and break off easily if brushed or kicked too hard. In colder areas it will die back to the ground in winter, but comes back from the roots in spring. The rambling plants get about a foot high but can spread much wider.
Is purple heart a good plant?
Purple heart makes a good container plant.
What Soil Does Purple Heart Plant Need?
Purple heart plants prefer to be rootbound and seldom require repotting, so choose a rich, well-draining so il for your first planting. If you’re going to maintain your purple heart plant in a hanging basket or a pot, it is recommended to use Miracle Grow Potting Soil. As long as your pot has excellent drainage, you may cut down on waterings because this soil holds moisture effectively. Use a garden bed mix like Kellogs Amend Garden Soil on the area you want to cover if you want to grow your purple heart plants as a ground cover. You’ll want to mulch around the soil to keep it moist, which will also save you money on water. Kellogg’s Gromulch is less expensive if you have a large area to cover because it covers a larger area for less money.
Do purple heart plants need fertilizer?
Purple heart plants do not require fertilization, although they do like being fed every now and again. Treat your purple queen plant using a simple all-purpose slow-release plant fertilizer only in the spring and summer; do not fertilize your purple heart plant in the fall or winter. If you don’t want to use a slow-release fertilizer, feed them in the morning after diluting Miracle-Gro solution to half strength and allowing them to absorb the nutrients throughout the day.
Where does the Purple Wandering Jew grow?
It is native to East Mexico along the Gulf Coast where it is a ground cover and grows in Zones 8a through 11b as a perennial.
What is the pH of Wandering Jew?
Easy to care for, Wandering Jew requires moderate to moist soil, with a pH of 5.8 to 6.2, slightly acidic. A regular fertilizing program is recommended for container plants and houseplants and only occasionally for landscape plantings. Be sure to plant out after all danger of frost has passed to minimize cold damage.
How much space does a wandering Jew need?
Growing up to 14 inches tall at maturity and spreading up to 14 inches wide, it needs 10 to 14 inches of space between plants. Wandering Jew pairs wonderfully with other partial to full shade plants like impatiens and begonia, as well as a ground cover around ferns.
Is spiderwort poisonous to pets?
Pinch back to keep within bounds and promote branching. As a member of the spiderwort family, the sap is mildly toxic to pets, so keep the plant out of their reach as a precaution.
Do wandering jews need deadheading?
Wandering Jew prefers part to full shade and that is where it maintains its best color. No deadheading is needed as this plant self cleans. The three-lobed dainty pink/purple flowers are present during the warm parts of spring into summer and appear from within the slightly overlapped leaves.
How long does a wandering Jew flower last?from smartgardenguide.com
If you purchased your Wandering Jew already potted in a hanging basket or 1-gallon container, it should thrive as is for a year or more before it requires repotting. However, if you received rooted cuttings in smaller containers like 4- to 6-inch pots, you most likely need to repot them into something a bit larger so they can grow properly.
What family is Wandering Jew?from smartgardenguide.com
Wandering Jew plants belong in the Commelinaceae family, which includes around 652 different species. The family is made up of herbs, climbers and several epiphytes, with some used as outdoor and indoor ornamentals like Wandering Jew.
What happens when a wandering Jew plant rots?from smartgardenguide.com
When rot rears its ugly head you’ll notice the bottom stems, as well as the foliage turning black, becoming mushy and the entire plant collapses. If this happens and seems to start affecting the entire Wandering Jew plant, you can trim off healthy, unaffected sections of the stems and repot into fresh, clean soil.
Why is Wandering Jew called Inch Plant?from smartgardenguide.com
Although a common name shared with several very different plants, Wandering Jew is often called Inch Plant, due to the leaf margins being spaced about an inch apart. You may also find Wandering Jew listed as Zebrina Pendula, but is synonymous with Tradescantia zebrina and is the same plant.
What are the three types of wandering Jews?from smartgardenguide.com
There are three different plants commonly known as Wandering Jews; Tradescantia fluminensis, Tradescantia pallida, and Tradescantia zebrina. Of the three, Tradescantia zebrina is the most common one grown and has the most eye-catching and colorful foliage. All three have the same requirements for care and good growth.
How long does it take for a wandering Jew to fertilize?from smartgardenguide.com
The slow-release blends usually continue to fertilize the Wandering Jew for about three months. You can also make your own soil by mixing several ingredients together such as: Using equal parts of compost and a potting mix. Mixing equal portions of compost, peat and potting soil or a potting mix.
How to stop wandering Jew from dropping leaves?from smartgardenguide.com
Solve the problem by moving the plant to an indoor location that is brighter. For the best leaf color and growth, they prefer an indoor location receiving bright light.