Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as Purple Heart or Purple Queen, is a perennial plant from the Commelinaceae family, native to Mexico and parts of Central America. It is primarily grown for its striking purple foliage and vibrant flowers, making it a popular choice for ornamental gardening.

Key Characteristics of Tradescantia pallida:

1. Appearance:
   • Foliage: The most distinctive feature of Tradescantia pallida is its deep purple leaves, which can range from dark violet to reddish-purple. The leaves are long, narrow, and lance-shaped, with a smooth texture.
   • Flowers: The flowers are typically small and pink or purple in color, often appearing in clusters. They bloom sporadically throughout the growing season.
   • Growth Habit: It is a spreading ground cover or hanging plant that has a mounding or trailing habit. The plant forms dense clusters of purple leaves, which give it a lush appearance when grown in groups.
2. Size:
   • Height: Tradescantia pallida typically grows to a height of 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches), though the plant may trail longer when grown as a hanging plant or ground cover.
   • Spread: It spreads relatively quickly and can form a dense mat of foliage, making it ideal for ground cover or container planting.

Growing Conditions:

1. Light:

   • Full sun to partial shade: Tradescantia pallida thrives best in bright, indirect sunlight, but it can tolerate some direct sunlight as well. When grown in full sun, the leaves may appear more vibrant and rich in color. In shaded areas, the color of the leaves may fade slightly, and the plant may become leggy.

2. Watering:

   • This plant prefers moderate watering, meaning the soil should be kept slightly moist, but it does not tolerate overwatering or soggy conditions. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
   • During the growing season, water the plant when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During the winter months, water less frequently as the plant enters a period of dormancy.

3. Soil:

   • Well-drained, loamy soil is ideal for Tradescantia pallida. It can tolerate a variety of soil types but does best in slightly acidic to neutral soils (pH 6.0 to 7.0). Ensure that the soil is loose and drains well to prevent root rot.

4. Temperature:

   • Warm temperatures are ideal for Tradescantia pallida. The plant grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11.
   • The ideal temperature range is between 18°C to 30°C (65°F to 85°F). It is sensitive to frost, so it should be grown in regions where frost is rare or protected indoors during the colder months.

5. Size:

   • Pot Size : 12 cms 
   • Height : 10 cms