Garden, purple heart was used as a bedding plant. Tradescantia pallida is a tender evergreen perennial native to northeast Mexico (from Tamaulipas to Yucatan) grown as an ornamental for its bright purple flowers. It is also used to make a tea.
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Is purple heart an indoor plant?
The purple heart can be used as a plant. It works well as ground cover to add a pop of foliage color and flower color to your landscaping, or as a trailing border around rock gardens and other enclosed garden spaces. It will also thrive as a container plant on a sunny window sill or in the shade of a tree or shrub.
Does purple heart come back every year?
In mild climates, the purple heart looks great. The plants can grow again if frost doesn’t cut back the top growth. As far north as USDA Zone 7a, the purple heart can survive the winter. Plant in full sun to partial shade. Water well and fertilize with a balanced fertilizer twice a year.
How do you make a purple heart plant bushy?
Pinch off the tips of stems to to create a bushier plant. When the plants begin to look leggy or spindly, repeat. The stems should be cut back to half their height after flowering. Pruning the plants makes them healthy and easy to care for.
How often should you water a purple heart?
It’s a good idea to thoroughly water your purple heart at least once every 7 to 10 days, especially during the first few weeks of life. If you’re growing it indoors, you’ll want to keep the soil moist but not soggy.
If it’s too dry, the plant may not be able to take up enough water to grow. You can also add a little bit of compost to the potting mix to help keep it moist.
How big do Purple Hearts get?
The purple heart is native to the gulf coast region of mexico and can grow to heights of one to one and a half feet tall and wide. During the spring and summer, it produces small purple flowers. The purple heart can be found throughout the United States, but it is most commonly found in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Georgia.
