Purple Heart Plant

The Purple Heart Plant is extremely drought tolerant, so it is reasonable to wait until the soil is almost wholly dry between waterings. Furthermore, as it prefers not to sit in overly moist roots (as this could cause rot), it is essential to pick a pot with drainage holes and to provide a well-draining soil mix. You should also avoid misting to reduce the risk of fungal and bacterial diseases such as powdery mildew.

The Purple Heart Plant is an extremely tolerant houseplant, and can do well in almost any type of lighting condition. However, for full, vibrant foliage, it does prefer bright, indirect light. Hence, a west or east facing window should work best. In addition, ensure that direct sun isn’t hitting the leaves too intensely, and turn the plant occasionally so that light is hitting all areas of the plant. If you can’t provide enough natural light, you can supplement with grow lights.

The Purple Heart Plant is a tropical plant, so it does best when temperatures remain above 60°F (15°C) and below 90°F (32°C). If you live in a cooler climate, make sure to provide some additional warmth and humidity when it’s colder.

The Purple Heart Plant is not fussy when it comes to humidity levels, however, it will thrive in humid environments. If you are living in a dry climate, consider misting the foliage with a spray bottle, or placing it next to a humidifier. It is also wise to avoid placing it near radiators, as sudden changes in humidity or temperature levels can stress the plant.

The soil for the Purple Heart Plant should be one that is rich, fast-draining, and preferably slightly acidic. The ideal soil mix should contain three parts seeding soil to one part sand or perlite. A good soil mix can also contain a handful of bark chips, not to be confused with mulch, to provide adequate drainage and healthy humidity levels.

When it comes to fertilizer, you should fertilize the Purple Heart Plant every 2–3 weeks between March and September with a balanced liquid fertilizer; for example, a 10-10-10 fertilizer. It’s important to dilute the fertilizer to ¼ of the strength recommended on the label so you don’t run the risk of over-fertilizing. From October onwards, you should only fertilize monthly.

The Purple Heart Plant is not particularly prone to pests, however, mealybugs, spider mites and scale are known to attack this particular species. Detecting pests early on is important for preventing them from taking a stronghold on the plant. It is important to check your plant’s foliage every week, and if you do find pests, to use insecticidal soap or spot treat with neem oil. Additionally, if you can spot treat less hardy plants where pests hide first, such as between stems or in the crown, this can be helpful in preventing pests.

The Purple Heart Plant is a relatively fast-growing species, so should be repotted every 12 – 18 months. However, repotting too frequently can cause the plant to become rootbound, causing it to look stunted and unhealthy. The best time for repotting is in the spring, and should always be done with a shallow pot with a drainage hole to prevent rot. It is best to use a rich, well-draining soil mix, and to always wear protective gloves when repotting.

The Purple Heart Plant is a vigorous grower, and won’t mind having its foliage pruned back every now and then. It is best to do this in late spring, in order to promote new growth and encourage more lush foliage. When pruning, it does best if you cut back more than a few inches, as this encourages bushing out and encourages an even shape. Finally, make sure you remove any brown, dead leaves with a pair of sharp, sterilized scissors.

The Purple Heart Plant doesn’t particularly need a layer of mulch on top of its soil, however, it can be beneficial in terms of insulation and helping to retain moisture. If you choose to mulch the Purple Heart Plant, it is best to use a mulch that’s made out of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure.

The Purple Heart Plant is easy to propagate using cuttings. It is best to take a cutting with at least two node points and then cut underneath the lower node. Then, remove the leaves in the lower half of the cutting, and dip the end into a rooting hormone. Finally, place in either sand or potting soil and keep in a warm, humid environment with bright, indirect light.

Although not necessary, the Purple Heart Plant may sometimes need a trellis of some kind, or some other kind of support, as it can become unwieldy in larger pots and hanging baskets. If such a situation were to arise, it is best to use woven twigs or a thin wire to gently support the branches.

The Purple Heart Plant does not require a rest period, and can grow all throughout the year. However, it can help to provide a brief 15–20 day rest period every few months to encourage good growth and lush foliage.

Yes, the Purple Heart Plant is toxic to cats and dogs, meaning it’s best to avoid having this in a house with pets. Ingestion of parts of this plant can cause skin irritation, vomiting, and diarrhea in pets, so it’s best to provide some air and space between them and the plant.