Purple passion plant: A guide to its fuzzy, vibrant leaves

Houseplants can make any indoor space more attractive and peaceful. However, many plants are difficult to care for, as they require frequent watering, pruning, and soil care. Some also grow slowly or lose leaves, which can be challenging for new gardeners. The purple passion plant is easy to maintain and can live for years with little effort.

This vibrant houseplant has green, oval leaves covered in soft purple hairs, giving it a shiny purple appearance. Younger plants have thick, velvety leaves, making them perfect for indoor spaces, especially in hanging baskets. Its colorful leaves also pair well with other houseplants, creating a striking contrast that adds bold color to any setting.

This plant adds beauty and charm to indoor spaces with trailing leaves and bright purple edges. Growcycle helps gardeners by providing a care guide for growing houseplants to boost the beauty of the indoor environment.

Origin and History

The history of the purple passion plant dates back to the Victorian era when exotic plants were very popular. During this time, plant collectors traveled to distant places looking for rare and unusual plants. On one of these trips, they found the purple passion plant in Indonesia. Hence, this plant is more common in Southeast Asia, Africa, Malaysia, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Java Islands. 

Further, it quickly became a favorite as it was beautiful and easy to grow in tropical climates. Even today, this plant remains a popular choice for plant lovers.

Botany of Purple Passion Plant

The purple passion plant, scientifically known as Gynura aurantiaca, belongs to the family of Asteraceae. Because of its velvet texture, it is a woody-based, perennial houseplant, also common with other names, such as velvet or purple velvet plants. It has unique, furry purple leaves that glow when the light hits them.

• Size: It typically grows to a normal height of 1–2 feet and spreads 2–4 feet wide. However, smaller versions are usually 8–12 inches tall, and only 6-12 inches tall in dwarf varieties. This plant can reach up to 10 feet with proper support and care.
• Stems: They usually carry bright purple, woody stems covered in fine purple hairs. These stems can trail up to 4 feet and become sarmentose as the plant matures, making it an excellent choice for hanging displays.
• Leaves: It mostly produces velvety green oval leaves with bright purple edges and veins. However, these leaves have tiny purple hairs that create a purple sheen, making them visually appealing. 
• Flowers: This velvet plant produces small, orange flowers in a thistle-like shape. Mostly, the flowers are yellow with a purple base, and they grow especially in winter. However, they usually have an unpleasant and rancid smell.
• Growth Rate: In ideal conditions, full-size growth usually takes 1 or 2 years. However, it depends on environmental conditions, such as light and temperature. 
• Growth Habit: When young, the plant grows upright, but as it matures, it spreads out and trails vine-like, making it a perfect choice for hanging baskets. However, gardeners can also train them for small trellises.

Benefits of Using Purple Passion Plant

Purple passion plant offers several benefits that can improve indoor environments, such as:

• Low Maintenance: It is an easy to care houseplant that only requires bright, indirect light and soil when the top dries with only little fertilization, making it easy for gardeners with busy work schedules. 
• Vibrant Foliage: The bright purple leaves, with a soft, velvety texture, make it a pleasant experience for plant lovers. 
• Aesthetic Appeal: The vibrant purple-green leaves with trailing veins create an aesthetic experience, making it a great addition to both indoor and outdoor spaces. 
• Improves Air Quality: It also helps to remove toxins from the air, improving indoor air quality. Hence, it is the best choice for creating a healthier living space.
• Regulates Humidity: It mostly acts as a natural humidifier, helping to improve indoor humidity and reduce dry skin during winter.
• Allergy Relief: This plant usually helps filter the air, relieving allergy sufferers and offering a breath of fresh air.
• Attracts Pollinators: Due to its soft, velvety texture and vibrant colors, this velvety plant also helps in the pollination process by attracting pollinators such as butterflies and hummingbirds. 
• Reduces Stress: Its bright colors and unique shapes can help to improve productivity. However, the soothing effect of these leaves not only adds beauty to indoor space but also helps reduce stress and anxiety.

Different Varieties of Purple Passion Plant

The purple passion plant has multiple varieties, each with unique features, colors, and growth habits, making them versatile for different indoor spaces.

Essential Tools Required for Purple Passion Plant Care

Caring for a purple passion plant requires a few essential tools to ensure its better growth. Gardeners must carry these tools for maintenance:

• Container or pot with drainage holes
• Nursery pot
• Liquid or general-purpose fertilizer
• Sterilized scissors or sharp knife
• Humidifier or spray bottle
• A small trowel
• Rooting hormone

Purple Passion Plant Care Guide

Here is a care guide to help keep this plant healthy and vibrant:

1. Light

The purple passion plant can grow well in moderate to bright indirect light. While it can handle the morning sun, it is better to avoid placing it in the afternoon sun, as it can harm the plant leaves. It can also grow in partial sunlight; hence, if direct sunlight is too strong, gardeners can use a sheer curtain to soften it.

Gardeners need to keep the plant within 3 feet of a south-facing window for the best growth. As too little light can cause it to grow leggy and drop leaves.

2. Water

This plant usually needs moderate watering to thrive. Hence, it is better to allow the soil to dry out slightly, at least 25%, before watering again. Gardeners must water the plant regularly during the growing season, but they can reduce it in winter to avoid root rot. 

In a 5 inch pot with no direct sunlight, the plant needs around 0.8 cups of water every 9 days. Avoid wetting the leaves during watering, as the hairs can trap moisture and cause damage. Gardeners are advised not to overwater the plant, which can cause leggy growth. 

3. Potting Soil 

It is important to use well-drained potting soil for the better growth of plants such as vermiculite. However, they can also add pebbles at the bottom of the pot to ensure good drainage. It is better to avoid soggy soil and check the soil moisture and water flow. The soil can be moist, but never let the roots sit in standing water, which can harm the plant.

4. Temperature and Humidity 

These plants thrive well in the cool temperature between 60–70°F (16–21°C). It doesn’t grow well in cold drafts, so avoid placing it near windows or air conditioning. They usually need a moderately humid environment of 60 to 70%.

In warmer, humid areas, gardeners can use a humidifier to raise humidity or place the plant on a pebble tray with other plants. However, it is better to avoid misting the leaves, as the water can get trapped in the velvety leaves and cause rot. 

5. Fertilizers

The purple passion plant should be fertilized every two weeks during its active growing season, from spring to fall. A general-purpose liquid fertilizer works well if diluted to half-strength in spring and summer. In winter, it’s best to reduce fertilizing to once a month.

6. Repotting 

Purple passion plants can be repotted when they become rootbound, grow out of the drainage holes, and need more water than they do on a regular schedule. However, the ideal time is usually two years when repotting is needed. 

To repot a purple passion plant:

• Choose a pot slightly bigger than the current one with drainage holes. 
• Add some soil to the bottom of the new pot.
• Carefully remove the plant from its old pot, loosen the roots, and place it in the new pot. 
• Add or remove soil to ensure the plant is at the right level, leaving about an inch of space at the top. 
• Fill the rest of the pot with soil and water the plant well.

7. Pest and Disease Control

Many pests and diseases can attach to the purple passion plant and reduce its growth. Hence, it is important to keep the plants safe for better growth. For this, make sure to check the new or old plants regularly to avoid any pest attacks. 

To ensure the new plants are not affected by pests, keep them away from the older ones for a few weeks. It is also better for gardeners to use pest-insecticidal soap or neem oil to wipe the damaged leaves. 

Pruning Purple Passion Plant

Pruning the purple passion plant helps keep it healthy and looking good. Here is how to do it:

1. When to prune: Prune the plant in early spring or late winter before it starts growing more.

2. How to prune:

• Use clean, sharp scissors to cut back any long or overgrown stems.
• Trim the tips of the stems to make the plant fuller.
• Remove any dead or damaged leaves to keep them healthy.

2. Regular care:

• Prune the plant every few months to keep it neat.
• If the plant gets too big, gardeners can cut it back further, but they should not remove more than one-third at once.

4. After pruning: Water the plant and place it in a bright spot with indirect light to help it recover and grow new leaves.

Propagate Purple Passion Plant through Cutting

To propagate the purple passion plant through cuttings, follow these simple steps:

1. Choose a Healthy Stem

Pick a healthy stem that is not flowering and has a few leaves. The stem should be around 4-6 inches long. Make sure it Is a strong and healthy plant part for the best chances of successful rooting.

2. Cut the Stem

Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stem just below a leaf node. The leaf node is where the leaves grow from the stem. This is where the roots will develop, so it's important to cut just below it.

3. Remove Lower Leaves

Carefully remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving only a few leaves at the top. This helps the cutting focus its energy on growing roots rather than trying to support leaves.

4. Root the Cutting

Place the cutting in a glass or jar of water, making sure the part of the stem without leaves is submerged in the water. The leaves should be above the water level.

Place the glass in a warm area with plenty of indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can harm the cutting. A bright windowsill or shelf is ideal.

5. Wait for Roots to Grow

Change the water every 2-3 days to keep it fresh and clean. This will help prevent mold or rot. In about 2-3 weeks, roots should start growing from the bottom of the cutting. Be patient, as strong roots may take some time to develop.

6. Plant the Rooted Cutting

Once the roots are a few inches long, it’s time to plant the cutting in soil. Choose a small pot with well-draining soil, such as a mix designed for houseplants. Gently plant the rooted cutting in the soil, making sure the roots are well-covered. Water it well and place the pot in a bright, indirect light spot to help the plant adjust and grow.

Purple Passion Plant Problems and Solutions

Here are some common problems and solutions to keep these plants healthy:

1. Root Rot 

Cause: Overwatering and lack of airflow.

Solution: 

• Check the soil moisture and water the plant only when the top inches of soil dry out. 
• Use a well-draining potting mix and container with drainage holes to allow the removal of extra water. 
• Repot the plant into a new pot with better drainage holes if needed. 

2. Brown Spots 

Cause: Huge exposure to direct sunlight, fungal infection, or overwatering.

Solution: 

• Move the plant in a shaded filtered sunlight area to avoid direct sunlight.
• Remove the damaged branches or leaves to stop the further spread of those spots. 
• Adjust the watering schedule, and do not extra moisten the soil.

3. Stunted Growth

Cause: Insufficient light. 

Solution: 

• Move the plant to a bright, indirect light area for proper growth. 
• Try to avoid direct sunlight as it can damage its leaves. 
• Use the diluted liquid fertilizer in case of nutrient deficiency. 

4. Yellow Leaves

Cause: Improper watering such as overwatering, underwatering, lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen and iron, or pest attack.

Solution: 

• Check the soil moisture level to reduce stress. 
• Do not overwater the plant; wait for the soil to dry. 
• Use the general purpose fertilizer to fulfill nutrient needs. 

FAQs

Can purple passion plants be grown outside? 

Yes, the purple passion plant can be grown outside in warm climates, particularly in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. It requires partial shade to avoid leaf burn and regular watering. Hence, in colder climates, these plants should be brought indoors during the winter to protect them from frost.

Is the purple passion plant toxic to pets?

No, the plant is not toxic to pets, making it a favorable houseplant for gardeners having pets at home. 

Can the purple passion plant be propagated in water?

Yes, the purple passion plant can be propagated in water. To do this, place the cutting in a jar of water, making sure the cut end is submerged. Then, change the water regularly. Once roots develop, the cutting can be potted into the soil. However, cutting through the stem is the easiest and fastest method of propagating this plant. 

The Bottom Line

The purple passion plant is a beautiful woody houseplant with a velvet texture that produces orange-shaped flowers. It usually has tiny purple hairs, creating a purple sheen that improves air quality and regulates humidity. 

Proper maintenance and propagating techniques can help this plant to grow quickly and provide a charming environment. Growycle offers guidance on the right pruning tips and tools to ensure healthier plant growth. 

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, where he covers the latest news, trends, and innovations in sustainable agriculture. He has a deep passion for storytelling that emphasizes ecological balance and responsible farming practices.

Before joining Growcycle, Victor worked for several agricultural and environmental publications, reporting on significant environmental issues and interviewing key figures in the sustainability sector. His work has been featured in various industry journals and online platforms.