Tradescantia pallida ‘Purple Heart’, commonly known as Purple Heart, is a bold, trailing perennial known for its rich purple foliage and easy spreading habit. The long, lance shaped leaves have a deep violet tone that holds well through the season, adding strong color contrast to the garden.

In warmer months, it produces small, three petaled pink to lavender flowers that sit lightly against the darker foliage. While the blooms are subtle, they add a soft touch and can attract pollinators such as bees.

Purple Heart has a low, spreading growth habit and works well as a groundcover, in hanging baskets, or spilling over the edges of containers and walls. It can also be used to fill in garden beds quickly, creating a dense, colorful layer.

This plant performs best in full sun to partial shade. Full sun will bring out the deepest purple color, while partial shade can soften the tone slightly. It prefers well drained soil and is drought tolerant once established, though it will look fuller with occasional watering.

It typically grows about 12 to 18 inches tall and spreads several feet wide over time. It is well suited for USDA zones 8 through 11 and is hardy down to around 25 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The foliage is evergreen in mild climates. This plant thrives in Zone 10 as we often see it here in Southern California landscapes.

This plant has some toxicity and may cause irritation or illness if ingested, so it is best to plant with care around pets and children.

The flowers attract pollinators such as bees.

It is generally deer and rabbit resistant, making it a dependable option for low maintenance landscapes.

Purple Heart is especially well suited for tropical, Mediterranean, and xeriscape gardens, where its bold color and trailing habit can be used for contrast and ground coverage.

With its rich color, fast growth, and easy care nature, Tradescantia ‘Purple Heart’ is a great choice for adding dramatic foliage and texture to the landscape.

Expert Tip:

I like using this in mass plantings rather than as a single accent. When you group it together, that deep purple color really reads as one bold statement and creates a strong visual impact. It’s especially effective along edges or spilling over walls where the color can carry through the space.

— Nick from Rooted Theory