Photo of Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor' flower, foliage, form by Karl Gercens III

Photo by Karl Gercens III

Used with permission, all rights reserved

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Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor'

Also Known As

  • Setcreasea pallida 'Variegata'
  • Setcreasea purpurea
  • Setcreasea purpurea 'Variegata'
  • Tradescantia pallida [pink striped]
  • Tradescantia pallida [pink-striped]
  • Variegated Purple Heart
  • Variegated Purple Queen

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

  • H: 12"-18"
  • W: 16"-24"

planting zones

  • 8b-12

More Options

Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor' plant details

Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor' is a broadleaf semi-evergreen perennial groundcover with pink, purple and variegated foliage. In fall, spring, summer and winter pink flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something seaside / salt tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor'

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: commelinaceae
Foliage: semi-evergreen pink, purple and variegated
Mature size: 16 IN - 24 IN - wide, 12 IN - 18 IN - tall
Flowers: pink blooms in fall, spring, summer and winter
Uses: container plant, easy-to-grow, houseplant, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor'

USDA Zones: 8b - 12
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: seaside / salt and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Setcreasea purpurea ‘Variegata’, or Purple Heart Plant, is a tender perennial plant with trailing purple stems carrying violet purple flowers streaked in white to hot pink. This showstopping plant is often grown as an annual. Displays small, bright pink flowers with yellow stamens. Prefers an average, well-drained soil. Variegated Purple Heart Plant makes an excellent spiller plant in a mixed basket or container. Also works as a border or groundcover plant where hardy. Protect your PRINCE OF PARADISE™ from frost!
Variegated purple heart is a rather fast growing mounding semi-cascading plant with beautiful, lance-shaped leaves, pink and purple striped, somewhat hairy. Great for a groundcover, hanging basket or container. It likes sun to part shade, growing 12-18" tall and spreading 16-24" wide. Hardy in zones 7-10. Likes well drained soil. Easy.
The large, pointed, narrow oblong purplish leaves with bright pink splashes are born on the arching to upright stems. Bears small pink flowers in the summer. Leaves color best in bright sun light when root zone is slightly dry.

Gardening facts about Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor' plant

How to Grow Tradescantia pallida 'Tricolor'

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
  • Special Situation

    • seaside / salt tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • variegated
    • pink
    • purple
  • Flower Color

    • pink
  • Wildlife

    • bees
  • Flower Season

    • winter
    • fall
    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • semi-evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy

See other plant types of Tradescantia for your garden

aka Tradescantia sillamontana 'White Velvet', Cobweb Spiderwort, White Gossamer, White Velvet, White Velvet Gossamer Plant, White Velvet Tradescantia

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover

Zones

9a-12

Size

Height: 6"-12"

Width: 12"-18"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Tradescantia sillamontana flower by plant lust
View Plant

aka Tradescantia 'Blushing Bride', Tradescantia 'First Blush', Tradescantia 'Maiden's Blush', Tradescantia x andersoniana 'Blushing Bride', Blushing Bride Lady's Tears, Blushing Bride Virginia Spiderwort, Maiden's Blush Spiderwort

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover

Zones

8a-12

Size

Height: 4"-18"

Width: 24"-36"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Tradescantia fluminensis 'Maiden's Blush' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
View Plant

aka Godzilla Spider Lily, Godzilla Spiderwort

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover

Zones

7b-10b

Size

Height: 6"

Width: 24"-36"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Tradescantia 'Godzilla' flower by plant lust
View Plant

More Options

aka Setcreasea pallida, Setcreasea pallida 'Purple Heart', Setcreasea purpurea, Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea', Purple Heart Spiderwort

Plant Type

Perennial, Groundcover, Vine

Zones

8a-10b

Size

Height: 8"-12"

Width: 12"-24"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
  • dry in winter
Photo of Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' foliage by Rare Plant Research
View Plant

More Options

aka Regal Charm Tradescantia

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

4a-9b

Size

Height: 11"

Width: 15"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • even moisture - regular
Photo of Tradescantia 'Regal Charm' flower, foliage by Terra Nova Nurseries, Inc.
View Plant

More Options

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