Tradescantia pallida care guide: The ‘royal’ houseplant with vibrant purple leaves

If you’re looking for a striking but very easy-to-care for plant, meet Tradescantia pallida. The plant, also known as “Purple Heart” or “Purple Queen” because of its eye-catching purple foliage, will add a very exotic touch to any corner of your home, whether you place it indoors or outdoors. Like the spider plant, it is hardy and low-maintenance – but it will fill your house or garden with colour, and not just because of its vibrant leaves. The plant’s flowers are pretty and delicate, with small three-petalled blossoms in pink or violet tones appearing at the end of the stems. The Purple Queen blooms in spring and summer, although the flowers are very ephemeral and last only a few days.

Want to find out more? Here’s a quick and easy care guide…

Introducing the Tradescantia Pallida: Origin and characteristics

Originally from Mexico, this plant belongs to the Commelinaceae family and is characterised by its elongated, fleshy stems and purple leaves. In its natural habitat, Tradescantia pallida grows in humid and warm areas, adapting to both sunny and shady spots.

It’s widely used in gardening for its hardy nature, striking colour, and groundcover ability, as well as its rapid growth.  In adequate light and water conditions, it can flower throughout the entire growing season.

Optimal placement: Finding the perfect light indoors – or out

If you want your Tradescantia pallida to grow strong, it’s important to place it in an area with indirect light, whether indoors or outdoors. 

• Indoors, it’s best to put it near a window where it receives filtered light. 
• If you place it outdoors, it prefers partially shaded areas, although you may notice its purple colour losing intensity.

The important thing is to always avoid direct sunlight, as it can burn its leaves.

Temperature needs: Keeping your ‘Purple Queen’ warm

Tradescantia pallida adapts well to temperate temperatures, ideally between 15°C and 25 °C (59°F to 77°F). Cold is one of this plant’s worst enemies; it could be severely affected if exposed to frost and it doesn’t tolerate temperatures below 10°C (50°F). 

If you place your Purple Queen on a balcony or in the garden, it’s important to protect it from frost and cold, placing it in a sheltered spot during winter or even bringing it indoors.

Watering routine: How to avoid root rot

Watering is a very important factor in the care of Tradescantia pallida. This versatile plant likes humidity, but it’s important to avoid waterlogging the roots. So, during the growing months – spring and summer – it’s important to keep the soil slightly moist, watering about twice a week. 

During autumn and winter, you’ll need to reduce watering, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings. A pot with good drainage will also help prevent root rot problems.

Substrate secrets: Choosing the best soil for drainage

Tradescantia isn’t a very demanding plant in terms of substrate, but it will benefit from light, well-drained soil, which will ensure optimal growth. A good option is a universal substrate mixed with perlite or sand, which will help improve the drainage.

Feeding schedule: Fertilising for vibrant purple foliage

If you want your Tradescantia to maintain the vibrant colour that makes it unique, and promote its growth, I recommend applying a liquid fertiliser every two or three weeks during the growing season. A fertiliser created for indoor plants will work perfectly, although you can also opt for specific formulas designed for foliage plants. To stimulate faster growth, consider using a nutrient-enriched mixture. 

Important to note: During autumn and winter, you should reduce or suspend fertilisation completely, because the plant enters a dormant period.

Do I need to trim Tradescantia pallida?

Pruning Tradescantia pallida is beneficial for maintaining its shape and vigour, and thankfully it’s very simple to do. Perform light pruning during spring and summer, cutting the tips of the stems to stimulate the growth of new shoots and help the plant achieve a fuller appearance. 

Since it’s a fast-growing plant, pruning will also help control the plant’s size. It’s also advisable to remove dry or damaged leaves to not just improve its appearance but also allow for better growth.  

When and how to repot your plant

It’s advisable to transplant Tradescantia pallida every one or two years or when the plant has completely filled the pot and the roots no longer have enough space. 

Spring is the best time of year for repotting the Purple Queen, because that’s when it’s in its phase of greatest growth of the year. Choose a slightly larger pot and make sure it has good drainage; as you repot the plant, check the roots and cut off any that are damaged or dry.

Troubleshooting: Common pests and diseases

There are some pests and diseases that can attack Tradescantia pallida, even though it’s a fairly hardy plant. To prevent pests, periodically check its leaves and stems for abnormal spots or marks. You can also clean the leaves with a damp cloth or use an insecticidal soap. As for diseases, the most common is root rot, which usually occurs due to overwatering and poor drainage.