Tradescantia Purple Heart – 4-Inch Pot

Tradescantia Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’) brings bold purple color and pointed, lance-shaped leaves to bright windows and patio displays. Its fleshy stems begin with upright growth, then spread and trail as the plant develops. Give it strong light to bring out its richest purple tones, and pinch the tips to create a fuller display.

Points of interest

• Deep purple foliage provides a striking contrast to green houseplants.
• Fast-growing stems can trail over a planter's edge or spread into a dense planting in suitable warm climates.
• Small, three-petaled pink flowers may appear during active growth.
• Stem cuttings root readily, making this a rewarding plant to prune and propagate.
• Foliage color responds to light, with stronger purple coloring in brighter conditions.

What ships and estimated mature size

You will receive one live Tradescantia Purple Heart in a 4-inch nursery grow pot. Plant fullness, stem length, and leaf color vary naturally. Decorative planters are sold separately and are not included.

Estimated mature size is approximately 12–18 inches tall with a spread of 24 inches or more. Trailing stems may grow longer with time; pruning helps maintain a compact, bushy shape.

Optional planter pairing

Pair your plant with the white BASEL 4.7-inch planter or black BASEL 4.7-inch planter, sold separately. Check the grow pot's dimensions against the planter's interior fit. Keep the plant in its draining nursery pot, remove it for watering, and empty any collected water before returning it to the decorative planter.

Care guide

• Light: Provide very bright light for the deepest purple foliage. Several hours of direct sun can suit an acclimated plant. Introduce stronger sunlight gradually to avoid scorching; lower light may produce greener leaves and stretched growth.
• Water: Water thoroughly when the top 1–2 inches of soil feel dry, then allow excess water to drain. Avoid constantly wet soil and standing water. Established outdoor plants tolerate brief dry periods, but small container plants should not remain completely dry for long.
• Soil: Use a loose, well-draining potting mix in a container with drainage holes. Ready to repot? Shop our Rich Houseplant Soil Blend, hand-blended in small batches and sold separately. Outdoors, choose soil that drains freely after rain or watering.
• Temperature: Warm conditions around 65–85°F support active growth. Protect container plants from frost and cold drafts. Purple Heart can grow outdoors as a perennial in suitable zone 9–10 conditions; use it as a seasonal or indoor container plant in colder climates.
• Humidity: Average household humidity is generally suitable. Maintain airflow around dense foliage; routine misting is not necessary.
• Feeding: Feed lightly with a balanced slow-release fertilizer during active spring and summer growth, following its label directions. Ready to feed? Shop our 2 oz Slow-Release Fertilizer for Houseplants & Succulents, sold separately. Reduce or pause feeding when growth slows, and skip feeding during inactivity or extreme heat or cold. Avoid overfeeding, which can encourage weak growth.
• Pruning: Pinch growing tips or trim long stems with clean tools to encourage branching. Stems can be brittle, so handle gently. Wear gloves if the sap irritates your skin.
• Maintenance: Remove dry or damaged leaves and rotate indoor pots for even growth. Inspect regularly for spider mites, mealybugs, and other pests.
• Repotting: Repot when roots crowd the grow pot or the mix dries unusually quickly. Choose a draining container only slightly larger than the current pot.
• Propagation: Take a healthy stem cutting below a node, remove the lowest leaves, and place at least one node in water or moist potting mix. Transfer water-rooted cuttings to a well-draining mix once roots develop.
• Troubleshooting: Greener foliage and long gaps between leaves may indicate insufficient light. Soft stems with wet soil suggest excess moisture. Dry, shriveled leaves may signal prolonged dryness; pale damaged patches can result from sudden exposure to strong sun.

Pet safety: Not safe for pets.