Botanical Name: Setcreasea pallida ‘Purple Heart’set-KREE-see-ah PAL-ih-duh
Synonyms: Setcreasea purpurea ‘Purple Heart’, Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’, T. pallida ‘Purple Heart’
‘Purple Heart’ is a trailing, tender perennial with purple stems and violet-purple leaves that produces pink flowers in summer. This plant is mainly grown for its foliage (leaves can reach 7 inches in length); best color is achieved in bright sunlight and a dry, cramped root zone. It is excellent as a groundcover or in containers or hanging baskets. It grows 8-12 inches tall and 16 inches wide.
Noteworthy characteristics: Foliage may irritate skin.
Care: Provide moist soil in part to full sun. Pinch to encourage bushiness and cut back flowering stems after blooming. Water moderately and fertilize monthly during active growth.
Propagation: Insert 2- to 3-inch-long stem-tip cuttings in soil mix or water and pot up in soil-based mix.
Problems: Viruses, aphids, spider mites.