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Velvet Plant Gynura aurantiaca

Phonetic Spelling
jy-NUR-uh aw-ran-ti-AH-kuh
Description

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.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Purple Passion'
    decumbent trailing or twining stems
  • 'Variegated Purple Passion'
    leaves are dark green with pink variegation and covered with purple velvety hairs
'Purple Passion', 'Variegated Purple Passion'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#purple leaves#showy leaves#orange flowers#velvety#interiorscape#woody#hanging baskets#well-drained soil#sprawling#hairy leaves#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Purple Passion'
    decumbent trailing or twining stems
  • 'Variegated Purple Passion'
    leaves are dark green with pink variegation and covered with purple velvety hairs
'Purple Passion', 'Variegated Purple Passion'
Tags:
#evergreen#houseplant#purple leaves#showy leaves#orange flowers#velvety#interiorscape#woody#hanging baskets#well-drained soil#sprawling#hairy leaves#malodorous#partial shade tolerant#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#tropical feel#container plant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gynura
    Species:
    aurantiaca
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Sumatera to Jawa
    Play Value:
    Colorful
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    unpleasant smell, may not grow in poor light
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Coarsely-toothed, oval, green leaves up to 8" long, covered with reddish-purple hairs
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants