Tradescantia 'Purple Plush'
Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Plush'
Deep purple trailing foliage with occasional delicate pink flowers — a bold, fast-growing beauty that thrives with minimal care.
Overview
Tradescantia 'Purple Plush' (also known as Purple Heart) is one of the most striking trailing plants available — its deep purple foliage is bold, fast-growing, and nearly indestructible. It occasionally produces small, delicate pink flowers that contrast beautifully with the purple leaves. Native to Mexico, it's adapted to warm, bright conditions and thrives both indoors and outdoors in warm climates.
Care Requirements
Light
Bright Indirect Light — some direct sun deepens the purple color
Water
Weekly — allow top inch to dry between waterings
Humidity
Moderate (40–60%) — tolerates average home humidity
Soil
Well-draining potting mix
Temperature
55–85°F (13–29°C)
Fertilizer
Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during spring and summer
Detailed Care Guide
Light
- Prefers bright indirect light for the most intense purple color
- Some direct sun (especially morning sun) deepens the purple significantly
- Tolerates medium light but the color becomes more muted
- Low light causes the purple to fade to dull green
Watering
- Water weekly — allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings
- More drought-tolerant than it looks — slightly underwatering is fine
- Ensure good drainage — root rot is possible with consistent overwatering
- Reduce watering in winter
Soil
- Standard well-draining potting mix works well
- Add 20% perlite for improved drainage
- Not fussy about soil composition
- Repot when roots fill the pot
Temperature & Humidity
- Tolerates a wide temperature range — 55–85°F (13–29°C)
- Adapts to average home humidity — no special requirements
- Can handle slightly cooler temperatures than most tropicals
- Bring indoors before frost if grown outside
Difficulty Level
Easy — one of the most forgiving and fast-growing plants available. Tolerates neglect, irregular watering, and a range of light conditions. The main thing to watch is light — more light means more intense purple color.
Extra Notes
Mildly toxic to cats and dogs — can cause skin irritation and mild GI upset if ingested. The sap can also irritate sensitive human skin — wash hands after handling. The small pink flowers are beautiful but short-lived — the plant's main appeal is its bold purple foliage.
Pro Tip
When stems get leggy, cut them back hard — Tradescantia responds to pruning with vigorous, bushy new growth. Push the cuttings back into the same pot for an instantly fuller plant.
New to this plant?
Just Received This Plant?
If you just received a cutting or node: Tradescantia is one of the most forgiving plants to root. Place cuttings in a glass of water in bright indirect light. Roots appear in 7–14 days. You can also push cuttings directly into moist potting mix — they root in soil just as easily. Once rooted, pot up and water thoroughly. Pinch the tips after a few weeks to encourage bushy growth.
If you just received a potted plant: unbox and place in bright indirect light with some direct sun for the deepest purple color. Water if the soil is dry. Tradescantia adjusts quickly and is very forgiving. Expect some lower leaf yellowing in the first week — normal. Do not fertilize for 4–6 weeks. Pinch any leggy stems after the first 2 weeks to encourage bushy growth.
Basic Care Instructions
Place in bright indirect light with some direct sun for the deepest purple color, water weekly allowing the top inch to dry, and keep in average home humidity. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer. Pinch tips regularly for bushy growth.
Propagation
Extremely easy — stem cuttings root in water in 1–2 weeks. Take 3–4 inch cuttings, remove lower leaves, and place in water. Can also be pushed directly into moist soil.
Common Problems & Fixes
Green leaves instead of purple
Needs more light — move to brighter indirect light or some direct sun
Leggy, sparse growth
Pinch tips regularly to encourage bushy growth and propagate the cuttings
Skin irritation after handling
Tradescantia sap can irritate sensitive skin — wash hands after handling
Want to Add This to Your Collection?
Shop Tradescantia 'Purple Plush' and more live on Whatnot — new drops every week.