Purple and green vine plants offer aesthetic appeal and versatility, introducing vibrant color and diverse textures to both indoor and outdoor settings. Their adaptability and striking appearance make them a popular choice among gardeners and plant enthusiasts.
Popular Purple and Green Vine Plants
One widely recognized plant is Tradescantia zebrina, often called Wandering Jew or Wandering Dude, known for its rapid growth and trailing habit. Its leaves display a striking striped pattern with green, silver, and deep purple hues on the upper surface, while the undersides are typically a solid, rich purple. This plant forms dense cascades, making it suitable for hanging baskets or as groundcover.
Another popular choice is Gynura aurantiaca, commonly known as the Purple Passion Plant or Velvet Plant, which features fuzzy, deep green leaves covered in fine, iridescent purple hairs. These hairs give the foliage a velvety texture and a vibrant purple sheen, especially in bright light. The plant has weak stems that initially grow upright but tend to sprawl and trail over time, making it ideal for containers where its foliage can spill over the edges.
Some varieties of ornamental sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) also exhibit purple and green foliage, with cultivars offering shades ranging from chartreuse to deep burgundy and almost black. These vines typically have deeply lobed or heart-shaped leaves and a vigorous, trailing growth habit, making them excellent for groundcover or cascading from elevated planters. Additionally, certain trailing Coleus varieties, such as ‘Chocolate Covered Cherry’ or ‘Colorblaze Dark Star’, feature intricate patterns of purple, green, and often other colors. Coleus leaves come in various shapes and sizes, and their vibrant coloration makes them a favored option for adding visual impact to garden beds or containers.
General Care Guidelines
Most purple and green vine plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Sufficient light maintains their purple coloration; low light can cause hues to fade and leaves to revert to green. Conversely, excessive direct sunlight can scorch foliage and bleach colors.
Proper watering involves allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause wilting and stress. Watering deeply and less frequently encourages robust root development.
A well-draining potting mix is suitable for most vine plants, ensuring excess water escapes and roots do not sit in soggy conditions. Incorporating organic matter can further improve drainage and provide nutrients.
These plants prefer temperatures between 65°F and 85°F (18°C to 29°C). Many also benefit from moderate to high humidity, ideally above 50%, which can be achieved through regular misting, grouping plants, or using a humidifier. During the active growing season, a balanced liquid fertilizer can be applied monthly to support healthy growth.
Propagation Techniques
Propagating purple and green vine plants is straightforward, primarily through stem cuttings. Select a healthy, non-flowering stem with at least two or three nodes (points where leaves emerge). Using clean, sharp scissors, make a cut just below a node, ensuring the cutting is 4-6 inches long.
Remove leaves from the bottom one or two nodes to expose them, as these areas will develop roots. Cuttings can be placed in a glass of water, ensuring submerged nodes are free of leaves, or directly into a well-draining potting mix. If rooting in water, change the water every few days to prevent bacterial growth. Once roots are about an inch long, the cuttings can be transplanted into soil.
Addressing Common Challenges
Fading vibrant purple coloration often indicates insufficient light. The pigments responsible for the purple hue develop in response to adequate light exposure. Moving the plant to a brighter location with indirect light can help restore color intensity.
Leggy growth, characterized by long, sparse stems with few leaves, is often caused by inadequate light. Pruning leggy stems just above a node encourages bushier growth by redirecting the plant’s energy to produce new side shoots.
Pests like spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs can affect these plants. Regular inspection of leaves, especially the undersides, helps in early detection. Treating infestations can involve wiping affected areas with a damp cloth, using insecticidal soap, or applying neem oil. Leaf discoloration or dropping can stem from various factors, including overwatering, which leads to root rot, or nutrient deficiencies. Adjusting watering practices and providing appropriate fertilization can often resolve these issues.
Toxicity and Safety
Many common purple and green vine plants can pose a risk if ingested by pets or children. For instance, Tradescantia zebrina can cause skin irritation. Coleus varieties contain essential oils toxic to dogs and cats, potentially leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and depression if consumed.
Ornamental sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) foliage and tubers are generally non-toxic for pets, but seeds can contain hallucinogenic compounds and are toxic if ingested. In contrast, Gynura aurantiaca is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, though mild digestive upset could occur if ingested in large quantities. Given varying toxicity levels, research specific plant toxicity and place plants in locations inaccessible to curious pets and young children.