Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) | Trailing Purple Foliage Plant

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Purple Spiderwort

Tradescantia pallida, Setcreasea pallida

A fast-growing, drought-tolerant perennial with vibrant deep purple foliage and delicate pink summer flowers, perfect for hanging baskets and containers.

$21.90

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Description

Tradescantia pallida is a striking, fast-growing evergreen perennial prized for its vibrant, deep purple foliage and delicate pink flowers. This Mexican native forms a sprawling, mat-like clump of thick, succulent, trailing stems covered in narrow, pointed, lance-shaped leaves in a rich, royal purple to violet. From late spring through summer, it produces small, three-petaled, bright pink to purplish-pink flowers with contrasting yellow stamens, creating a charming display. Extremely adaptable and low-maintenance, it thrives in full sun to partial shade, tolerates drought, and is an outstanding choice for hanging baskets, containers, ground cover, and as a trailing accent in mixed plantings. Indoors, it makes an excellent, easy-care houseplant.

Quick Facts

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Light: Full sun to partial shade (best purple color in sun)

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Foliage & Flowers: Thick, succulent, trailing stems with narrow, pointed, lance-shaped, deep royal purple to violet leaves; small, three-petaled, bright pink to purplish-pink flowers with yellow stamens in late spring through summer .
Mature Height: 8-18 inches
Mature Spread: 8-18 inches (spreading by trailing stems)
Growth Rate: Fast
Hardiness Zones: USDA 7-11 ; Sunset 12-24, H1, H2
Core Benefits: Vibrant deep purple foliage, delicate pink summer flowers, fast-growing, drought tolerant, low maintenance, excellent for hanging baskets and containers.
Best Uses: Hanging baskets, containers, ground cover, trailing accent, indoor houseplant.

Faqs

Q: How much sun does Purple Heart need for the best purple color?
A: For the most vibrant, intense purple foliage, plant in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily). In partial shade, the leaves will appear greener or more muted purple.

Q: Is it a perennial or an annual?
A: It is a tender perennial, reliably hardy in USDA zones 7-11. In colder zones (USDA 6 and below), it is grown as a long-blooming annual or in a container to be overwintered indoors as a houseplant.

Q: How much water does it need?
A: Once established, it is drought tolerant. Water regularly during its first year, then allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot.

Q: Can it be grown indoors?
A: Yes, it makes an excellent, easy-care houseplant. Place in bright, indirect light to maintain good color. It will tolerate lower light but may become greener. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.

Q: Does it flower?
A: Yes, it produces small, three-petaled, bright pink to purplish-pink flowers with yellow stamens from late spring through summer.

📍 Primary Delivery Area · San Francisco Bay Area

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San Francisco Bay Area is our primary local delivery market. Victory Nursery also serves additional California markets and selected extended delivery areas by arrangement.

Regular local delivery: San Francisco, Peninsula, South Bay, East Bay, Marin, Tracy / Mountain House and surrounding service areas.

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1 Gallon

A practical starting size for perennials, grasses, groundcovers, vines and young shrubs. Lightweight, easy to plant and well suited for projects that need multiple plants.

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Gallon describes the container size, not a guaranteed plant height. Individual plants vary. Contact our nursery for current measurements.

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