How to care for Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida · Commelinaceae
A striking trailer with elongated leaves and stems in saturated royal purple, dotted with small pink flowers in warm months. It is drought-tolerant, sun-loving, and nearly indestructible with enough light. The more sun it receives, the deeper the purple becomes. Water roughly every 8 days while it's growing (about every 14 in winter), give it direct sun, kept above 50°F (10°C) — dry air is fine for it.
Care at a glance
Let the top half of the soil dry between waterings; the semi-succulent stems tolerate drought far better than wet feet.
Give it the sunniest spot you have; in weak light it fades toward gray-green and stretches.
Half-strength balanced fertilizer monthly in the growing season; it needs little.
Mistakes that kill this plant
- Overwatering a plant built for drought.
- Keeping it in shade until the purple and the structure are both gone.
- Handling roughly, snapping the brittle stems (though cuttings root easily).
Seasonal tips
- Move it to your brightest window, or outdoors in summer, for the deepest purple.
- Pinch tips regularly; the brittle stems branch readily below every break.
- Water sparingly in winter, almost like a succulent.
Is it safe for pets?
We have Purple Heart recorded as toxic to cats and dogs.
Full pet-safety details for cats & dogsCare for your Purple Heart on autopilot
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Toxicity here is informational, not a safety guarantee. Those are our own records, compiled by following the ASPCA's published toxic and non-toxic plant lists and Pet Poison Helpline's plant poison list rather than copied from them — confirm anything that matters against those lists or with your vet. If your pet ingested this plant, contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.