Have you ever come across a plant with purple foliage and leaves? Believe it or not, there is a plant with purple foliage and leaves; the Purple Passion Plant. The plant has velvety purple leaves and gorgeous yellow daisy blossoms.
Purple Passion Plant is one of the most popular indoor plants and has been a domestic plant for over 200 years. Purple Passion Plants are native to South America, Australia, Africa, Mesoamerica, Florida, and several more southern countries.
Does The Purple Passion Plant Have Any Other Names?
Other common names for this colourful plant include:
- Gynura Aurantiaca
- Purple Velvet Plant
- Royal Velvet Plant
Different Types Of Purple Passion Plants
There are two types of plants in the Gynura genu that are found as Purple Passion plants.
G. aurantiaca is the most common upright form. A variegated variety of this species is also found at most local garden stores and nurseries, with green and white- striped leaves beneath its typical purple fibers.
If you want the brilliant hues of a purple passion plant with the appearance of ivy, one version is the ideal choice. The G. sarmentosa type is suitable for trailing plants or hanging planters in a regular pot due to its trailing, vine-like development characteristics.
Main Uses Of Purple Passion Plants
Because the plant is tropical and only grown in hardy zones 10-11, it is commonly cultivated as a houseplant in the United States. Young plants make an excellent table decoration, while older plants with a more expansive aspect go nicely in hanging baskets.
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How To Prune Purple Passion Plants?
If given enough fertilizer and water, the purple passion plant will become leggy. Therefore, it should be clipped to maintain it bushy and promote robust growth towards the soil. Remove any defective branches, as well as any that have developed taller than a foot or so. For the Purple Passion Plants, target a low, bushy form.
Best Soil For Purple Passion Plants
The Purple Passion Plant has very sensitive roots, which could rot due to overwatering. To avoid this, plant them in porous soil. Porous soil could aid in the rapid drainage of surplus water. This not only preserves the Purple Passion Plant’s roots but also promotes its development.
Aside from the soil’s capability to drain water rapidly, it should also have manure and other organic fertilizers, which are crucial since they will supply nutrients to the plant and stimulate its development in the early stages. Porous soil is composed primarily of perlite, pumice, and sand. All of these factors contribute to the soil becoming more porous and allowing water to drain more efficiently.
How Much Light Do Purple Passion Plants Need?
The Purple Passion Plant prefers bright light and will grow in front of a sunny window, although they prefer some shade in the afternoon. The richer and more profound the leaf hue, the brighter the light. Nevertheless, insufficient light may cause the plant’s purple color to fade completely. Cut the level of direct sunlight if your leaves start to scorch.
How Often To Water Purple Passion Plants
The topography, geography, and season all influence how much water the Purple Passion Plant needs. If you reside in a hot area, you will need to water your plants frequently. For colder climates, watering less often is sufficient. They typically necessitate watering every 4 – 5 days.
Ideal Temperature Conditions For Purple Passion Plants
The Purple Passion Plant prefers a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16-21 Celsius.). They cannot be grown well in extreme cold or extreme heat because both circumstances damage the plant.
They are not cold, hardy plants and cannot withstand frost for an extended amount of time. Likewise, in hot conditions, the plant rapidly dehydrates, and its leaves wilt due to the high temperatures, resulting in the plant’s death.
Humidity Conditions For Purple Passion Plants
Because they are prevalent in tropical areas, these plants demand moderate to high humidity. It is best to aim for a percentage of 40-60%. The most frequent strategies to ensure adequate humidity are placing your Purple Passion plant close to a humidifier or wet the foliage daily. Spontaneous humidity can also be found in particular locations, including the bathroom.
Best Fertilizer For Purple Passion Plants
Applying fertilizer could be a perilous path to take. An excess of nutrients could poison various species. The Purple Passion plant is one of those that gets a considerable lot of sunlight.
Any normal fertilizer, including, but not limited to, Phosphorous, Nitrogen, Calcium, and Potassium-based, will be enough. Just dilute it to roughly half the recommended dose and administer it every 1-2 weeks throughout the warmer months.
How To Propagate Purple Passion Plants
The velvet plant propagates readily from stem cuttings, rendering it very simple to have a regular plant supply if desired. To propagate, pick a three-inch-long stem cutting with numerous leaf nodes to propagate. Let for the cut end to scab over; it can take 3-5 days.
When the cut end has dried, administer a rooting hormone to it and set it scab-side down in a potting mix, wrapping the top with plastic wrap to maintain the cutting wet and warm. In a few weeks, it will germinate, after which you could withdraw the wrapping and let the young plant’s leaves dry off.
Growth Rate Of Purple Passion Plants
The Purple Passion Plants are fast-growing; unlike most houseplants, which take several years to achieve their most appealing stage, this plant flourishes in its youth. Young leaves display more of their trademark hue than mature leaves. Purple passion plants typically display their most excellent hues in the 2-3 years preceding blossoming.
Ideal Pot Size For Purple Passion Plants
Purple Passion Plants develop upright when young but adopt a more sprawling nature as it matures. It can grow up to 1 to 3 feet. The perfect pot size should not be extremely large for the plant. To some degree, a small pot is an ideal fit, as it allows the plant to develop more compact together.
Repotting Tips For Purple Passion Plants
The Purple Passion Plant rapidly produces new branches and sub-branches and extends over its growing area. Once the plant appears congested, it is an indicator that it should be repotted. Repotting lets the plant grow even more and increases its rate of growth. They need to be replanted annually, and the best time to do it is during the summer. It would be best if you created a larger pot for them. Put the needed volume of soil, remove the plant from its current pot and move it to the new pot.
You must exercise caution when uprooting and transporting plants to avoid damaging the plant’s roots. Water them and place them in bright sunlight once they have been repotted in the new pot. Your plant will show indicators of developments in several days.
FAQ
Is The Purple Passion Plant Edible?
The blossoms of the Purple Passion plant could be eaten. If you wish to pick them for yourself, they have a similar flavour to Guava. But bear in mind that it might result in allergic reactions and gastric upset in some people.
Are Purple Passion Plants Toxic To Cats And Dogs?
Despite its distinctive look and uniquely fragrance blooms, Purple Passion is a non-toxic plant, which is completely safe to keep in the home with cats and dogs.
Is The Purple Passion Plant Poisonous?
Vibrant colors tend to highlight that a plant or animal is poisonous. But for the Purple Passion, it is totally safe.
