Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570

Instagram Facebook Patreon
Join the Harvest List
Purple Heart

— · Texas-Grown

Purple Heart

$4.00

Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida) is a bold, trailing perennial ground cover prized for its deep purple-violet foliage and small pink flowers that appear throughout the growing season. Exceptionally heat- and drought-tolerant, it is one of the most reliable and eye-catching ground covers, container plants, and border edgers for Central Texas landscapes. It thrives with minimal care.

At Flying Rabbit Farm, our Purple Heart transplants are grown for vigorous spreading habit and stunning foliage color suited to Austin’s demanding climate.

Care Instructions
Watering
Low to moderate water needs once established Drought-tolerant; one of the most forgiving plants in Austin Overwatering causes root rot
Fertilizing
Minimal fertilizing needed Light feeding in spring with balanced organic fertilizer Excess nitrogen fades leaf color
Pruning & Maintenance
Pinch or trim to control spread and encourage density Cut back hard after freeze damage in winter Remove brown stems in early spring before new growth begins
Common Issues
Root rot in poorly draining soils Spider mites during extreme drought Can become invasive in mild climates; manage spread
One of the easiest and most colorful ground covers for Austin; thrives with minimal care Full sun deepens the purple foliage color significantly May die back in hard freezes but regrows vigorously from roots and cuttings Cuttings root easily in water; propagate freely
Seasonal Notes
Spring
Rapid growth resumes; excellent planting and propagating time
Summer
Thrives in heat and drought; minimal watering needed once established
Fall
Continues growing; excellent planting window
Winter
May die back in hard freezes; recovers reliably in spring
Best Time to Plant in Austin
Spring through summer Can be planted nearly year-round except during hard freezes Ideal soil temperatures: 60-80 F
Sun Requirements
Full sun to partial shade Deepest purple color develops in full sun Tolerates significant shade but color may fade to green
Spacing
12-18 inches apart Spreads quickly to fill gaps
Soil
Well-draining soil Tolerates poor, rocky, or clay soils Adaptable to a wide range of conditions
Watering After Planting
Water at transplanting Water weekly until established
Lantana Gaillardia Portulaca Salvia Ornamental Grasses Zinnias Agave Sedum
Purple Heart is considered mildly toxic to: Dogs Cats Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation or allergic dermatitis in pets and humans. Ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal upset. Keep pets from chewing on plants; contact a veterinarian if significant ingestion occurs.

You might also like

Related products

Join the Harvest List

Login