Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
Plant pickup: Thursdays 3–7pm · Also by appointment 512.348.7570
— Plant Nursery · Texas-Grown
$3.00
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.
70 in stock
Low to moderate water needs once established
Drought-tolerant; one of the most forgiving plants in Austin
Overwatering causes root rot
Minimal fertilizing needed
Light feeding in spring with balanced organic fertilizer
Excess nitrogen fades leaf color
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
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
Rapid growth resumes; excellent planting and propagating time
Thrives in heat and drought; minimal watering needed once established
Continues growing; excellent planting window
May die back in hard freezes; recovers reliably in spring
Spring through summer
Can be planted nearly year-round except during hard freezes
Ideal soil temperatures: 60-80 F
Full sun to partial shade
Deepest purple color develops in full sun
Tolerates significant shade but color may fade to green
12-18 inches apart
Spreads quickly to fill gaps
Well-draining soil
Tolerates poor, rocky, or clay soils
Adaptable to a wide range of conditions
Water at transplanting
Water weekly until established
Purple Heart is considered mildly toxic to:
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.
