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Purple Heart
Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea'
Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’) is a striking groundcover known for its vivid purple foliage and small pink blooms. Though not a Texas native, it thrives in many parts of the state thanks to its heat tolerance and low maintenance needs. This plant spreads easily, making it a favorite for borders, mass plantings, or adding bold color contrast in container arrangements. Its trailing habit also makes it well-suited for hanging baskets and raised beds.
In Texas landscapes, Purple Heart grows best in full sun to part shade. The richest foliage color appears with at least half a day of direct sun, though plants in deep shade may fade to greenish tones. It tolerates a wide range of soils, including alkaline clays, provided drainage is adequate, and it withstands summer heat with minimal care once established. Plants reach about 12–18 inches tall with a spread of 18–24 inches, rooting at the nodes as they trail. Spacing 12–15 inches apart will allow them to quickly fill in an area.
Once planted, Purple Heart is difficult to eliminate, as broken pieces readily root and reestablish. This makes it both reliable for long-term coverage and somewhat aggressive if not kept in bounds. It is deer resistant and non-toxic to humans but may cause mild stomach upset if ingested by pets. It can also cause skin irritation for some people when handled, so gloves are recommended. Purple Heart is generally perennial in central and south Texas but may die back in hard freezes in north Texas, regrowing from roots in spring. Cutting back frost-damaged foliage encourages vigorous new growth.
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Bold foliage |
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Spreads easily |
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Deer resistant |
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Height:12-18 in
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Spread:18-24 in
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Spacing:12-15 in
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USDA Hardiness Zone 8a
Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Full Sun |
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Full Sun to Part Shade |
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Habit
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Evergreen |
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Semi Evergreen |
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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Toxic to Pets
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