Gynura aurantiaca 'Purple Passion'

RHS Plant Profile

velvet plant 'Purple Passion'

Synonyms

Gynura sarmentosa misapplied

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

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A sprawling, woody-based, evergreen perennial to about 1m tall, though it can reach 3m if supported. The dark green leaves and stems are clothed in bright purple hairs, especially on the undersides. The thistle-like flowers are egg-yolk yellow, with a purple calyx, appearing mostly in winter

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–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): H1B

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Climbing
Genus: Gynura are evergreen perennials and sub-shrubs, some scrambling or trailing, with toothed leaves. The orange or yellow flowers have no ray florets
Name Status: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow indoors in a peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light. Train up a support, or pinch out shoots to keep more compact and encourage new shoots

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in late spring, or semi-ripe cuttings in summer, both with bottom heat

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required. Cut back in spring or summer if plant becomes too large

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and glasshouse red spider mite

Diseases

Generally disease-free