Tradescantia Pallida Succulent Plant

Purple Heart

Family

Commelinaceae

Origin

Mexico

Description

Tradescantia Pallida, also known as Setcreasea purpurea is a small and low-growing succulent plant, with narrow pointed purple leaves arranged alternately along thick herbaceous segmented stems. It is a very attractive foliage plants. The leaves are covered in soft pale hairs the their bases form a sheath around the stems.

The three petaled purple-pink flowers with yellow stamens arise among the leaves near the tips of the branches.

The tiny white flowers with three triangular petals each that are produced are enclosed in its boat-shaped bracts nestled in the leaf axils. The flowers bloom throughout the year. Its flowers are used for medical purposes to treat such ailments as dysentery. It is considered an herb succulent.

Environment

Purple heart typically grow in moist, well-drained and acidic (pH 5 to 6) soil, though the plants to be quite forgiving in the garden and tolerant of many soil conditions. t

The plant do best in partial shade but will do equally well in sunny areas as long as the soil is kept moist.

These plants like to be kept fairly moist, so water regularly, especially if you re growing them in containers.

Cutting the plants back once flowering has ceased can often promote a second bloom and will help prevent re-seeding.

Landscape Use

Ornamental plant in gardens and borders, as a ground cover, hanging plant.