Velvet Plant Gynura aurantiaca

Purple Velvet Plant is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family is commonly grown as a houseplant. It is best displayed in a hanging basket and is noted for its unusual velvety purple leaves and stems.  Bright, indirect light with protection from the afternoon sun will result in the best foliage color. Soil should be kept moist with less frequent watering in winter as overwatering may cause rot.  Clusters of tiny orange-yellow flowers appear in the fall but may not appear in low-light conditions.  They have an unpleasant smell and can be messy and so are often removed. This plant has weak stems and a  sprawling growth habit: pinching back stems may help produce a more bushy growth and reduce legginess. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Root rot can develop form overwatering. The lack of adequate light can result in the leaves appearing green rather than purple.