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Moses in the Basket Tradescantia pallida

Previously known as:

  • Setcreasea lanceolata
  • Setcreasea pallida
  • Setcreasea purpurea
Phonetic Spelling
trad-es-KAN-tee-uh PAL-lid-duh
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Purple heart is a tender low-growing, trailing, perennial in the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae) that is commonly used as a houseplant or an annual. The plant species is from Mexico, where it grows as a ground cover. The specific epithet, pallida, means "pale."

Although generally an annual, this plant may come back in protected areas or in mild winters. To plant outdoors find a location with full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. Full sun will result in the best color development. Plants placed in a shady location will tend to have a more greenish tint. Pinch back to encourage bushiness. It is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 10–11. Container plants need to be brought indoors during the winter. These plants do not tolerate temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. It is tolerant of salt, drought, humidity, and dry soil. It is best propagated by stem cuttings.   

The purple heart features trailing purple stems with dark purple, lance-shaped leaves that are covered in pale hairs. The flowers appear in midsummer and are pink to pale purple with bright yellow stamens. Each flower lasts only one day.

The purple heart is desired for its colorful and distinguishing purple foliage, stems and fast growth. Grow it outdoors as a decorative ground cover or bedding plant that will survive longer than most bedding plants. It may be used in a rock garden or cottage garden. It works well in a mass plantings on slopes, in borders, or in containers. It is commonly grown indoors in a hanging basket or in interiorscapes as a ground cover. 

Quick ID Hints:

  • Leaf front and back and stems are purple.
  • Flowers are at the ends of stems and are usually pink.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Monitor for scale, aphids, vine weevil, and mealybugs. Outdoor plants can be eaten on by caterpillars, slugs and snails. Protect the plant from strong winds that can damage the stems. It has a tendency to become invasive in beds.

Be aware that ingestion of this plant can cause mouth and stomach irritation in pets and humans. The sap from the leaves and stem can also cause skin irritation in both humans and pets. 

More information on Tradescantia.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscapes:
Sun and Shade Demonstration Garden, Buncombe County Colorful Borders West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#low growing#semi-evergreen#easy to grow#salt tolerant#interiorscape#low maintenance#interesting leaves#year-round interest#hanging baskets#ncemgva2018#edging#herbaceous#tender perennial#deer resistant#trailing#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#easy to propagate#rock garden#fantz#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#poisonous if ingested#annual#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#low growing#semi-evergreen#easy to grow#salt tolerant#interiorscape#low maintenance#interesting leaves#year-round interest#hanging baskets#ncemgva2018#edging#herbaceous#tender perennial#deer resistant#trailing#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#groundcover#easy to propagate#rock garden#fantz#partial shade tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#container plant#poisonous if ingested#annual#buncombe county sun and shade garden#accent
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Tradescantia
    Species:
    pallida
    Family:
    Commelinaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Mexico
    Distribution:
    Introduced: Argentina, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Chad, China Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guinea, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Madeira, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Trinidad-Tobago, Tunisia, and United States--AL, FL, and LA
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Easy to Grow
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is somewhat resistant to damage by deer and is moderately salt and drought tolerant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Houseplant
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is a smooth capsule that measures 3.5 mm.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Saucer
    Flower Petals:
    2-3 rays/petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are pink to pale purple, about 1 inch in diameter, 3-petaled, and appears in clusters at the terminal end of the stem.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Slippery
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are alternate, simple, and oblong-elliptic to oblong-lanceolate, spirally arranged, and measure 4 to 6 inches long. They are acute, blade sessile with a closed sheath, margins in rolled to give trough-shape, reddish-purple above and below.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    The stems are thick, fleshy, purple, but fragile. They are ascending, decumbent or trailing, and root at nodes.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Hanging Baskets
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Slope/Bank
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Humidity
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Ingestion of the plant can cause mouth and stomach irritation for humans and pets. Contact with the sap and leaves can cause redness and skin irritation in humans and pets.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    unknown
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Stems