Tradescantia Pallida: The Purple Wandering Jew Plant

What is Tradescantia Pallida?

Tradescantia Pallida is a species of spiderwort, a group of 85 species of herbacenous perennial wildflowers of the Commelinaceae family. The name comes from Latin specific epithet pallida meaning pale.

History of Tradescantia Pallida

Tradescantia Pallida is native to Mexico. The plant was introduced and widely grown for its ornamental purposes as houseplants across tropical and subtropical regions of the world. In Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, the species is planted in gardens across the islands. It is starting to escape from cultivated areas into adjacent natural areas.

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Tradescantia Pallida – Description

Tradescantia pallida is an evergreen perennial native of northeast Mexico, grown as an ornamental for its striking purple foliage. The scientific name has been changed from the previous Secretase pallida to Tradescantia pallida. The plant may be treated as a succulent because the leaves, stems and roots are thick. Commonly known as purple hearts, these plants can be used as a ground cover, cascading in baskets, or as a houseplant. In tropical and semi-tropical areas, it is commonly grown outdoors as a popular, albeit weedy, ground cover. It has a trailing habit and features thick but fragile stems clad with pointed, narrow-oblong, V-shaped leaves. The stems can trail to 18” or more. The flower is small, three-petaled and pale lavender or pink in colour. Tradescantia Pallida (Purple heart plant) has distinctive flowers that usually bloom during warm weather emerging from their stem tips. They appear in clusters and do not have a scent.

See also: Purple fleabane: Physical features, cultivation, uses and toxicity

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Tradescantia Pallida: Facts 

Can Tradescantia pallida (Purple heart) grow indoors?

Purple heart is an adaptable plant. It is often used as ground cover to add colour and flowers to the garden landscape. Tradescantia pallida can thrive as a container plant on the patio or in a hanging basket indoors all year round. If you move it outdoors for the summer, keep it shaded from direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Growing purple heart in full sun will help it develop the bright purple colour. When growing it indoors, keep the plant where it can get maximum light (at least 8 hours of bright, indirect sunlight or filtered light a day).

How to care for Tradescantia pallida?

Tradescantia pallida or Purple Heart Plant care is relatively easy. It is one of the best plants for beginners to grow.

Sunlight

Tradescantia pallida (purple heart) grows best in partial shade but can tolerate full sun areas. It should not receive direct afternoon sunlight for more than an hour or two. The plant can grow in partial shade but its stem is more likely to appear green than purple. Place them indoors in a spot where they will receive bright, indirect light. It is best to keep these plants in brighter conditions over time, however, too much direct sunlight can lead to foliage burn.

Soil

Tradescantia pallida plants will grow best in soil that is lightweight, porous and moist. Good drainage is a must. The plant tolerates a wide pH range, from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.

Water

Tradescantia pallida are considered to be drought-tolerant and would not require a great deal of watering. For best growth, do not let the plant sit dry for long periods. In the winter, Purple Heart will enter its dormancy period, so ensure that it gets just enough water to stay healthy. Younger plants will require more moisture than adults and must be watered weekly. If you grow your Purple Heart in pots or containers, ensure the presence of sufficient drainage holes at the bottom and fill it with soil that offers adequate water retention and good drainage.

Fertiliser

Tradescantia Pallida can be nourished with a diluted liquid balanced fertiliser monthly during the growing season. Dilute the fertiliser to about half its regular strength to avoid leaf burn. The occasional feeding can reinvigorate growth and make the colours more vibrant.

Temperature

Exposure to extreme heat must be avoided in outdoor gardens. This tough plant can thrive in a wide range of temperatures but they prefer normal temperatures, ranging from 60-70°F during the day and 50-55°F at night.

Pruning

Tradescantia Pallida grows long stems and due to its fast growth rate, it can quickly become leggy. Prune the plant back after flowering in the fall to manage its growth. Yearly grooming encourages bushier growth. Be sure to use sharp scissors and wear gloves as the stem sap can cause skin irritations and burns.

Propagation: Tradescantia pallida in soil and water

You can either propagate Tradescantia Pallida from seeds or through stem cuttings. However, since seeds are rarely available, most gardeners use cuttings.

Cut just below a segment node of the mother plant (about 4-6 inches). With tradescantia pallida, propagating cuttings is simple. Place the stem directly in the moist garden or potting soil and keep it moist until new growth. Water the soil thoroughly. Keep it for 1-2 weeks in a warm and bright place. Once roots or new growth appear, pot them in a container. New growth appears in about 4-5 weeks.

Although soil propagation can be a quicker way to grow new plants, water propagation makes it visually attractive the roots are visible. Remove the bottom leaves on the cuttings and place them in a glass of water. Set the glass on a windowsill with bright sunlight. Change the water regularly and wait for the roots to grow to about two inches. After two weeks, the stem will have grown a solid set of roots and can be transplanted to well-draining potting soil to maintain growth.

Tradescantia pallida: Insects, diseases and other plant problems

Tradescantia pallida, the hardy plant, is unlikely to have too many plant diseases. Overwatering can lead to root rot so ensure that there is no excess water within the plant’s drainage tray. Brown foliage is often due to a lack of moisture or humidity. It can also be due to intense direct sunlight. Ensure that it is getting enough water and is in a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight.

Caterpillars and snails can create a problem outdoors so try to place a defensive barrier around it with a layer of gravel or wood chips.

Tradescantia pallida can attract aphids, weevils, scale and mealybugs. If an infestation is spotted, isolate the plant and treat it with neem oil, eucalyptus oil or citrus oil spray for primary treatment.

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Tradescantia pallida: Uses and benefits

• A well-placed Tradescantia Pallida will make an immense visual difference in any garden or home space. Tradescantia pallida make for lovely hanging plants or groundcovers and can add a lush texture to the garden. The purple leaves are a nice contrast variegated foliage and complement the pink, light purple or burgundy blossoms of other plant
• Tradescantia Pallida is effective in improving indoor air quality by filtering volatile organic compounds.
• The plant has anti-oxidant, anti-toxic and anti-inflammatory properties. It has traditionally been used as an anti-toxic or anti-inflammatory supplement. It has also been used to treat venereal diseases, wounds, cancer, mucosal infections and gastrointestinal disorders.

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