Purple Passion Plant Care

If you’re looking for a tropical plant to hang from a window, the Gynura aurantiaca plant is a good choice.

It’s easy to grow and makes a lovely complement to any container plant arrangement in the house or on the patio. The fluffy purple leaves of this houseplant make it a popular choice. And I know you’ll love them too.

Here’s a little fun fact about this beauty: The leaves of the Purple velvet plant are more appealing than the flowers. It’s because its tiny red-yellow flowers have a strong odor and are typically cut off as soon as they appear, allowing the leaves to prevail.

This attractive plant also grows around two feet tall when grown indoors, which will add character and charm to any area.

Want to know more about these Purple passion plants? Read more below.

Purple Passion Plant Care Basics

Gynura aurantiaca

Knowing the plant’s care basics is essential. However, let’s get to know each other by looking first at its overview:

purple passion care card

Now, let’s move on to more detailed instructions on the plant’s care and maintenance. Make sure to take notes!

Best Potting Mix

potting soil mix

The Purple passion plant prefers moist but well-drained soil. It’s important to ensure good drainage so all excess water will drain quickly. Prevent the plant from getting root rot by not making the soil too damp.

It also prefers soil with a slightly acidic pH. Aside from these, nothing much is required.

Water Frequency

Give only a medium amount of water. This is enough for the plant to be sustained within the week. Since this indoor plant prefers the soil to be moist, make sure to water thoroughly. Do not let the plant be overwatered or underwatered either.

At some point, this plant could tolerate a little dry soil. But this condition shouldn’t be prolonged. Otherwise, your plant will begin to wilt.

Lighting Needs

purple passion plant light requirement @flickr

For the plant to grow well, the Purple passion plant needs either bright indirect light or a partial shade. Avoid direct sunlight because it will cause plant damage like the scorching of its leaves. Ideally, around 4 to 6 hours of sunlight per day will be enough.

Direct morning sun will be the best lighting condition for this purple, hairy queen.

Pro tip: The more intense the light without overexposing, the more vivid the leaves will be.

Temperature & Humidity 

Temperatures between 60. 8 to 69.8 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 21 degrees Celsius) are the best fit for growing these purple velvet plants. It can also survive temperatures until 84.2 degrees Fahrenheit (29 degrees Celsius). 

However, in the long run, the plant gynura will not survive when the temperature goes lower than 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius).

Thankfully, this beauty requires only a medium level of humidity, about 40% to 60% humidity level. It’s a perfect houseplant because it will thrive in an average home humidity.

If the air gets a little dry, use a humidifier or mist the leaves regularly in the morning.

plant humidifier

Certain rooms in the house have naturally consistent, sufficient humidity, such as the bathroom or the kitchen. Your Gynura aurantiaca will surely love such spots.

How often should we fertilizer them

The Purple velvet plant, as a houseplant, requires regular fertilization. Giving it a half-strength dose of fertilizer every one or two weeks throughout the growing season. Such fertilizing routine is an excellent way to keep the velvet plant lush and thriving.

However, feeding the plant should not be that much. Allow it to relax in the winter by limiting the application to just once a month. If you don’t apply fertilizer during this season, that’s totally okay. Your velvet plant wouldn’t be hurt.

Propagation

The propagation method for the Purple velvet plant will only be through stem cuttings. Here’s how to propagate the plant using this method:

Stem Cuttings

  1. Look for a healthy plant with vivid leaves that you want to replicate.
  2. Make a two- to three-inch cut along the stem at the very top with sharp scissors.
  3. Aside from the top four leaves, remove all leaves found on the lower portion of the stem.
  4. Place the freshly chopped down stem in a tiny pot loaded with fresh, sterilized soil. It’s a good idea to water the soil before you add the stem cuttings.
  5. Water it again after planting to ensure that the soil is evenly saturated.
  6. Place your newly propagated plant in a location that receives a lot of indirect, bright light. It should never be exposed to direct sunlight since this can result in severe damage.
  7. In a few weeks, check on your new Purple passion plant for new growth. If new leaves start to flush, it means that the roots are already established.

Growth Zone

USDA map for purple passion plant

Purple Passion Plants are only hardy in USDA zones 10-12. Thus, they’re best used as house plants in hanging planters.

Potting

Good news! You don’t have to repot your purple velvet plants every year. They don’t get very big. However, they need fresh soil to survive so you would need to replace it once in a while. It’s essential to note that the plant’s roots are too fragile. Carefully change its soil mix without hurting the roots.

Purple Passion Varieties and Similar Plants

There are approximately 32,000 species of Asteraceae plants. Here, we will only enumerate a few Asteraceae species or varieties that have a bit of similarity to the Velvet plant:

Blue bouquet passion flower

blue bouquet passion flower

It’s a vast semi-evergreen perennial climber with twining tendrils that climbs vigorously. This beauty’s unusual flower is fascinating. From late summer to fall, the 3-inch blooms are followed by egg-size deep orange fruits.

Gynura sarmentosa

gynura sarmentosa plant

Also known as the Purple passion vine. It has green leaves and a mixture of purple appearance on it. It is commonly grown as a houseplant perfectly placed in a hanging basket. Others use pots allowing the viny stems to trail.

Blue passion flower

blue passion flower

Also known as Passiflora caerulea. It is a fast-growing vine with 3-inch (7.5 cm) blue and white blooms. In temperate regions, such as USDA plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, it can reach a height of 30 feet (10 meters).

Purple Passion Plant Diseases & Pests

Whether we like it or not, diseases and pests will always be on our care guide checklist. Here are some of those that will affect your Purple passion plant:

Pests

Spider mites may be to blame if the leaves of your Purple passion develop pale or yellow patches before curling and turning brown or reddish-brown.

Spider mites and other sap-sucking insects deplete the nutrients and moisture in the leaves. They frequently feed on the undersides of the leaves, causing spotting on the upper portion of the foliage before it begins to dry, change color, and eventually collapse.

Although the insects are small, many can be killed by repeatedly spraying the plant with water.

Root Rot

Overwatering causes root rot in Purple passion plants. It obstructs the transport of moisture and nutrients to the leaves. The roots and root crown, or the top of the root bark, can become slimy due to rot. The foliage develops brown spots or patches and becomes deformed or curled.

Assuming that the plant has root rot as a result of overwatering, you can uproot the plant from the garden. Carefully remove the soil from around the purple passion roots planted. Expose them to the air and allow them to dry out for a few days. Rebury the roots in dry dirt.

Container plants may need to be taken out of the pot and the soil cleaned away from the roots. The plant can then be re-potted into a new container.

Diseases

Purple passion plants, while generally disease-resistant, are not immune. Botrytis and fusarium wilt can cause the foliage to turn dark, wilt, curl, and eventually die. Pathogens can infect indoor Purple passion plants, but they are more prevalent on outdoor plants.

It’s spread by contaminated gardening tools or by handling plants after coming into contact with sick plant residues.

Fungicides can aid in the prevention and treatment of plant diseases. Specific pathogens should be listed on the product label and explicit directions on how to apply the fungicide. Houseplants are easier to treat because you can pull them out of the container, wash off the diseased soil, dip the roots in fungicide, and re-pot them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Early research suggests that it may aid with sleeplessness and anxiety. It appears to increase gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the brain. This chemical reduces brain activity, which may aid in relaxation and better sleep.

Watering your Purple passion plant too much or too little will hurt it, causing it to wilt. The soil must be evenly damp but not saturated. If the plant appears wilted after being overwatered, wait until the earth feels dry before watering again.

Yes, there is a variegated purple passion plant. It is a must-have for lovers of unique houseplants. Its purple leaves are streaked with a cream color.

Purple passion plants can live for several years with proper care, usually lasting 2 to 5 years or even longer when provided with the right growing conditions.

To make a purple passion plant bushy, constantly pinch or trim the growing tips to encourage branching. Pruning helps create a fuller and more compact appearance. Provide adequate sunlight, water, and a well-draining soil mix. Consider using fertilizer to promote healthy growth and maintain a desirable shape.

A purple passion plant may become leggy due to insufficient light. When grown in low light conditions, it stretches to reach for more light, resulting in elongated stems and sparse foliage. Relocating the plant to a brighter spot can help prevent legginess and promote a more compact growth.

Whether you want to buy, sell or simply reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!

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