Purple trailing plants offer a cascade of vibrant color, enhancing any space. Their distinctive foliage ranges from deep purples to variegated patterns. Their versatile trailing habit allows them to spill from hanging baskets, climb trellises, or spread as ground cover. These plants enhance both indoor and outdoor environments, making them a popular choice for dramatic flair.
Common Purple Trailing Plants
Among the many captivating options, Tradescantia pallida, often called Purple Heart, stands out with its striking deep purple, lance-shaped leaves that can reach up to 7 inches long. This herbaceous perennial has a rambling habit, growing approximately 1 foot tall but spreading much wider, with stems trailing up to 18 inches or more. Another popular choice is Tradescantia zebrina, known as the Inch Plant or Wandering Dude, which features lush, oval-shaped leaves adorned with shimmering silver stripes and rich purple undersides. This fast-growing, succulent plant spreads 2 to 3 feet or wider when grown in containers, with stems that branch and root easily at the nodes.
Callisia repens ‘Pink Lady’, sometimes referred to as Turtle Vine, is a low-growing succulent characterized by small, round, waxy leaves that can display green stripes, pinkish hues, or creamy tones with burgundy undersides. This plant grows up to 6 inches tall but can become quite dense and spill attractively from containers. For outdoor settings, the Purple Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas ‘Blackie’ or ‘Sweet Caroline Purple’) offers large, deeply lobed, map-like leaves in shades of deep purple or nearly black. This vigorous annual forms a mounding, trailing habit, with vines that can extend up to 10 feet long, making it an excellent choice for cascading from containers or spreading as ground cover.
Lamium maculatum ‘Purple Dragon’, or Spotted Dead Nettle, presents heart-shaped, silvery-green leaves with narrow green edges, complemented by rich magenta-purple flowers that bloom from late spring into fall. This semi-evergreen, mat-forming perennial grows to about 6-8 inches tall and spreads up to 12-24 inches, thriving as a groundcover in semi-shaded locations.
Essential Care for Vibrant Purple Trailing Plants
Most varieties thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. Too much direct sun can scorch leaves, while insufficient light causes purple hues to fade and leads to leggy growth. Placing them near a north or east-facing window indoors, or in a location with filtered light, provides optimal balance.
Allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry out between waterings prevents overwatering and prolonged dryness. Overwatering can lead to root rot; underwatering may cause leaves to wilt. Consistent moisture, without waterlogging, helps these plants flourish.
A well-draining potting mix ensures good aeration and prevents soggy roots. A suitable blend often includes coco coir or peat-free potting soil for moisture retention, combined with perlite or pumice for enhanced drainage. Organic matter like worm castings or compost can provide a slow-release nutrient boost.
Most indoor purple trailing plants prefer moderate household temperatures, typically between 65-75°F (18-24°C), and benefit from average humidity. While they tolerate lower humidity, consistent moisture in the air promotes healthier growth. For outdoor varieties, temperature preferences vary, but many ornamental sweet potato vines, for instance, thrive in warm conditions and do not tolerate frost.
During the active growing season, from spring through summer, purple trailing plants benefit from regular fertilization. A balanced, water-soluble fertilizer applied every 4-6 weeks at a diluted strength provides necessary nutrients for vigorous development. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can harm the plant; apply fertilizer to slightly damp soil to prevent root damage.
Maximizing Purple Color and Trailing Growth
To intensify purple coloration, manipulate light exposure. Many purple-leaved varieties exhibit deepest hues with ample bright, indirect light; some, like Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida), achieve most intense color in full sun. Insufficient light causes purple pigmentation to diminish, leading to greener or faded foliage. Gradually acclimating plants to brighter conditions enhances color without sunburn.
Regular pruning encourages bushiness and extended trailing growth. Pinching back stem tips promotes branching, resulting in a fuller, more compact plant. Trimming longer stems directs energy into new growth along existing vines, contributing to a lush, cascading display. Removing yellow or dead leaves maintains plant vigor and appearance.
Many purple trailing plants are easily propagated from stem cuttings, a beneficial practice linked to pruning. Taking cuttings during pruning sessions allows for new plants, helping maintain the parent plant’s health and providing material for propagation. Cuttings often root readily in water or moist soil, offering a simple method to expand a collection or rejuvenate older plants.
Popular Uses and Design Inspiration
Purple trailing plants are ideal for hanging baskets, where cascading stems drape elegantly, creating a waterfall effect. This allows vibrant foliage to be showcased at eye level, adding vertical interest to porches, patios, or indoor spaces. Their ability to spill makes them an excellent choice for softening container lines.
In mixed container gardens, they serve as “spillers,” providing contrast and visual flow. They trail over pot sides, complementing taller “thriller” plants and mounding “filler” plants for balanced arrangements. This technique allows for creative combinations of textures and colors, with purple trailers offering a rich backdrop or striking accent.
For outdoor landscapes, certain purple trailing varieties function well as ground cover. They quickly spread to fill barren areas, providing a carpet of color in rock gardens, along borders, or on slopes. Varieties like Purple Trailing Verbena or Spotted Dead Nettle are well-suited for these applications, offering continuous color and low-maintenance coverage.
Indoors, purple trailing plants excel on shelves, mantels, or ledges, allowing their long vines to flow downwards. This showcases their unique foliage patterns and adds a natural element to interior decor. Their adaptability to indoor settings makes them a versatile choice for enhancing living spaces with vibrant color and organic form.