Tradescantia pallida
purple-heart spiderwort
T. pallida is a trailing, slightly succulent perennial to 20cm in height, with narrowly oblong leaves to 15cm in length, glaucous green above, purplish beneath, and 3-petalled pink flowers 2-3cm across in summer
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue Green Purple | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Green Purple | |||
| Autumn | Blue Green Purple | |||
| Winter | Blue Green Purple |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H1CBotanical 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
Unresolved
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 using stem tips in spring or summer, rooting in cutting compost or water then pot up into loam-based potting compost (JI No.1)
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- hanging basket
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Bedding
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
Pinch growing tips to encourage bushiness and remove plain green foliage
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.