Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Herbaceous PerennialCactus SucculentConservatory GreenhouseHouseplantsBedding

Tradescantia pallida 'Kartuz Giant'

purple heart spiderwort 'Kartuz Giant'

A half-hardy evergreen perennial, initially upright but becoming trailing as it grows, with unusually large, fleshy grey-green leaves that are heavily flushed with purple, especially in strong light. Small, pale lilac pink flowers are produced in summer

Synonyms

Setcreasea pallida 'Kartuz Giant'

Save to My plants

Buy this plant

Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

0.1–0.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Commelinaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Trailing
Potentially harmful: Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
Genus: Tradescantia can be trailing or tufted perennials with usually fleshy, evergreen foliage and distinctive, 3-petalled flowers
Name status: Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow as bedding, in containers that can be moved indoors over winter, or as a houseplant. Plant in moist but well-drained soil or loam-based potting compost, and position in part shade or bright filtered light; direct sun may scorch the leaves. Water moderately when in active growth, and sparingly in winter. See houseplant cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings of stem tips in spring or summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

hanging basket
Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required, though pinching out the tips can keep the plant bushy and compact

Pests

May be susceptible to red spider mite, mealybugs, aphids, vine weevil and thrips

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.