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Purple Heart

Purple Heart

Setcreasea pallida

Item #1188 USDA Hardiness Zone: 7 - 11

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Plant Description

Stunning purple, lance-shaped leaves on vigorously spreading stems are accented by small pale purple flowers. Dies back in cold weather then vigorously returns in spring. Heat and drought tolerant. Great for low maintenance areas, rock gardens and mixed borders. Cascades nicely over the edge of a hanging basket. Evergreen in mild winter climates.

  • Overview
    Light Needs:
    Partial shade to full sun
    Watering Needs:
    Water regularly - weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers.
    Average Landscape Size:
    Quickly reaches 12 to 18 in. tall and wide.
    Key Feature:
    Dramatic Foliage Color
    Blooms:
    Summer
    Landscape Uses:
    Border, Coastal Exposure, Container, Edging, Ground Cover, Houseplant, Mass Planting, Poolside, Rock Garden
  • Detail
    Plant type:Groundcover, Perennial
    Deciduous/evergreen:Herbaceous
    Sunset climate zones:12 - 24
    Growth habit:Spreading, Trailing
    Growth rate:Fast
    Average landscape size:Quickly reaches 12 to 18 in. tall and wide.
    Special features:Dramatic Foliage Color, Easy Care, Fast Growing, Gift Plant, Waterwise
    Foliage color:Purple
    Blooms:Summer
    Flower color:Purplish-pink
    Garden styleAsian/Zen, Contemporary, Tropical
    Design IdeasA stunning plant for frost free gardens used as a groundcover. Can fill beds on sheltered locations or be mixed into tropical plantings to add purple foliage color. Great choice for hanging baskets or dangling off the edges of pots. Nestles well into boulders and particularly attractive trailing around rock waterfalls. Color makes a stunning addition to minimal modern gardens.
    Companion PlantsFlax Lily (Dianella); Lantana (Lantana); Cranesbill (Geranium); Phormium (Phormium); Mandevilla (Mandevilla)
  • Care
    Care Information
    Provide enriched,well-drained soils. Best foliage color in full sun; protect from harsh afternoon sun exposures in hotter summer regions. Water regularly in first growing season to establish root system. Once established, tolerates moderate drought in cooler climates; benefits from continued regular water in warmer regions.
    Light Needs:
    <strong>Partial Sun / Partial Shade</strong>: These two terms are often used interchangeably to mean 3-6 (or 4-6) hours of sunlight each day. However, there is a difference. <strong>Partial shade</strong> typically means the plants will appreciate a more gentle exposure such as the weaker morning or early afternoon sun, with the emphasis on providing the minimum needed shade and sheltering from intense late afternoon sun. <strong>Partial sun</strong> typically means the plants <u>need</u> some direct sun, so the emphasis is on meeting the required minimum hours of sunlight, with filtered sunlight or shade the balance of the day. Both are best with shelter from the harshest late afternoon sun. This shade could be provided by a structure, a wall, larger plants or tree(s).
    Partial shade to full sun
    Watering Needs:
    Water needs: Moderate
    Water regularly - weekly, or more often in extreme heat or containers.
  • History & Lore
    History:
    This plant is found in the southern U.S. and well into Mexico where it is native. Plants first came into cultivation as house plants known as "wandering Jew". It is often grouped into the Tradescantia genus.
    Lore:
    The purple coloring of these leaves are due to chemicals known as anthocyanins, which are the same ones that give beets and eggplants a similar color.