Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) | Trailing Purple Foliage Plant

Purple Spiderwort

1 Gallon / Purple

$21.90

1/4

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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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

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.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

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

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.