Purple Heart

Tradescantia pallida

Dark, dramatic, and nearly impossible to kill—Purple Hearts are a staple specimen for gothic gardeners and anyone who prefers their plants with a little edge.

These 6+ inch rooted cuttings arrive alive and thriving in a water vial, rooted and ready to plant the moment they reach you. No soil shock, no guesswork—just place them in soil or continue growing in water if you prefer.

This plant is famously forgiving. Miss a watering? It survives. Forget about it for a week? It forgives you. It thrives in a wide range of conditions and grows quickly, making it ideal for beginners, collectors, and anyone building a low-maintenance but high-impact plant collection.

Elongated, lance-shaped leaves range from deep royal purple to dark green, with richer coloration developing in brighter light. Small lavender flowers will appear when they receive enough light, opening during the day and closing at night. When allowed to trail or spread, Purple Hearts create a lush, shadowy cascade perfect for indoor planters and often used for hanging planters. Regular trimming just past a leaf node will allow for a bushy powerhouse centerpiece. In temperate zones they will thrive in outdoor containers, or ground cover in warmer climates.

They produce a beautiful purple sap which can be a mild irritant especially for those with sensitive skin, so gloves are suggested when handling and especially when pruning.

What You’ll Receive

• One 6+ inch rooted Purple Hearts cutting

• Shipped bare-root in a water vial

• Fully rooted and ready to plant upon arrival

• Carefully packaged to protect roots and foliage in transit

Care & Growing Notes

• Light: Bright indirect light to full sun (more light = deeper purple, more flowers)

• Water: 2x/week when soil is dry when young; drought tolerant once established

• Soil: Well-draining potting mix

• Growth Habit: Trailing, spreading, and fast-growing

• Difficulty: Extremely easy / beginner-friendly

Purple Hearts can be grown indoors or outdoors (perennial in warm climates, annual elsewhere)

Why Gothic Gardeners Love It

• Naturally dark, saturated foliage

• Strong contrast against pale planters, stone, or bone-toned decor

• Looks intentional even when running wild

• Thrives on neglect (a virtue, not a flaw)
  

If you’re building a garden that favors shadows over sunshine and character over perfection, Purple Hearts belong in your crypt, cauldron, or windowsill.