How to Grow Forever Purple
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Forever Purple
Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart'
shrubForever Purple is a vibrant ornamental shrub known for its striking deep purple foliage that intensifies in bright light. This tender perennial features slender, lance-shaped leaves and delicate pink or lavender flowers throughout the growing season. It's prized as a houseplant and outdoor garden accent in warm climates.
When should you plant Forever Purple in your zone?
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Example Forever Purple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Forever Purple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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Harvest Forever Purple
Around Jun 1≈ 45 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Forever Purple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as annual or houseplant in cooler zones (can survive zone 9b with protection)
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Seedling/Young Plant
3-4 weeksSmall plants with emerging purple-tinged leaves; growth is compact and bushy
Keep soil consistently moist, provide bright indirect light, avoid fertilizing until established (4-6 weeks). Protect from direct sun if indoors.
Vegetative Growth
4-8 weeksRapidly expanding foliage with increasingly deep purple coloration; plants become fuller and bushier
Pinch back growing tips every 2-3 weeks to encourage branching and denser form. Increase sunlight exposure for deeper purple color. Begin light fertilizing every 2-3 weeks.
Flowering
Continuous during growing season (spring through fall)Delicate pink, lavender, or white flowers appear along stems amid purple foliage; blooming is continuous in right conditions
Maintain consistent moisture and warmth (65-75°F ideal). Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming. Increase phosphorus fertilizer to support flower production.
Mature/Established
Ongoing after 3-4 monthsFull-sized shrub with dense purple foliage and abundant flowers; can reach 2-4 feet tall and wide
Prune to maintain shape and size, especially before winter. Reduce water and fertilizer in fall/winter. Bring indoors in zones below 10 before first frost.
Winter/Dormancy
3-4 months (Nov-Feb)Growth slows dramatically; foliage may lose some vibrancy; fewer or no flowers in cold conditions
Reduce watering significantly. Move indoors or protect from frost in zones 9 and below. Minimal fertilizing. Can be cut back by 1/3 for rejuvenation in early spring.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe; improve air circulation
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Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, spray with insecticidal soap, or treat with neem oil; isolate infested plants
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Scrape off manually, treat with horticultural oil or insecticidal soap; repeat applications may be necessary
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil, ensure good air circulation
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Improve drainage, reduce watering frequency, use well-draining soil mix, repot if necessary in fresh soil
Uses
Ornamental Garden Accent
HouseholdForever Purple's deep purple foliage and pink flowers make it an outstanding focal point in tropical and subtropical gardens, containers, and landscape beds. The vibrant color contrasts beautifully with green or silvery-leaved plants. [source]
Cut Flowers and Floral Design
CraftThe delicate flowers and attractive foliage make excellent additions to fresh floral arrangements. Stems last several days in water and add unique color and texture to bouquets and centerpieces. [source]
Indoor Houseplant
HouseholdForever Purple thrives as a potted houseplant near sunny windows in any climate zone. It's relatively low-maintenance and adds tropical color to interior spaces year-round. [source]
Pollinator Garden
WildlifeThe continuous pink and lavender flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly gardens and landscapes. [source]
Harvest Tips
Forever Purple is an ornamental plant, not typically harvested for food. However, you can cut stems for fresh floral arrangements throughout the growing season. Prune back by 1/3 in late winter or early spring to rejuvenate growth and maintain desired shape. Pinching back stem tips encourages bushier, fuller plants.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The intensity of the purple color is directly linked to sun exposure—plants grown in full sun develop rich, deep purple foliage, while those in shade may be predominantly green with purple tinges.
- 🌱 Forever Purple is native to South America and is also known as Purple Heart or Tradescantia pallida, and it's surprisingly cold-tolerant for a tropical plant, surviving brief frosts in zone 9b with protection.
- 🌱 This plant has been used in traditional medicine in Central and South America for various ailments, though there is limited scientific research supporting these traditional uses.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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