Photo of Tradescantia pallida landscape by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Tradescantia pallida

Also Known As

  • Purple Heart
  • Purple Queen
  • Spiderwort

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 24"-48"

planting zones

  • 8b-11

More Options

Tradescantia pallida plant details

Tradescantia pallida is a broadleaf deciduous perennial groundcover with green foliage. In spring and summer pink flowers emerge. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and regular - occasional water. Does well in average, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Tradescantia pallida

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: commelinaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 24 IN - 48 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in spring and summer
Uses: container plant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Tradescantia pallida

USDA Zones: 8b - 11
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: regular - occasional
Resistant to: verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Grow in light shade for a lusher look. Sun to Partial Shade. Pinkish Purple, relatively inconspicuous blossoms. Outdoor. Light/Bright Shade.

By: Moon - Sun Cactus & Koi Gardens

Gardeners are always appreciative of plants with strikingly-colored foliage, since they lend vivid hues to the garden even when flowers are not present. For rich purple foliage, few plant selections can equal Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’, which also goes by the name of Setcreasea purpurea. The species comes from northeast Mexico, and it has forms with green leaves and pale flowers which are tinged with violet, but the cultivar ‘Purple Heart’ has leaves which are completely purple and flowers of a bright violet-magenta color. Plants in the genus Tradescantia occur in both North and South America, and many of them are tropical or subtropical, but a few can be found all the way up to the northern parts of the U.S. These plants belong to the family Commelinaceae, also known as the Spiderwort Family or the Wandering-Jew Family. This family of non-woody monocots is widely distributed, especially in tropical regions. Many are used as ornamentals, including an assortment of ground covers. Like all family members, Tradescantia species have 3-petaled flowers. Because of its subtropical origins, T. pallida dies back when the weather turns cold, but happily it re-sprouts and quickly fills back in once warm weather returns in the spring. Its leaves are up to an inch (2½ mm) wide and up to 7 inches (18 mm) long, with their bases clasping the succulent stems. Multiple stems sprout from the base, sprawling in all directions to create a dense mat of purple about a foot (30 mm) high. The flowers are not large, usually less than an inch in diameter (about 2 mm), but their violet-magenta color makes them quite attractive.

Gardening facts about Tradescantia pallida plant

How to Grow Tradescantia pallida

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly sun
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
  • Water Needs

    • regular - occasional
  • Special Situation

    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Flower Season

    • spring
    • summer
  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • pink
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
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