Spider lily (Tradescantia pallida 'Purpurea')

Overview

The Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’, commonly known as the Spider lily or Purple Heart, is prized by gardeners for its intensely colored violet-purple foliage that provides excellent contrast in mixed plantings. This heat-loving, tender perennial offers a vigorous, trailing habit perfect for softening edges and filling containers. Its ease of care and rapid growth contribute to its popularity both as an outdoor groundcover in warm regions and as a dependable houseplant.

While the flowers are a delicate pink, the primary ornamental feature of this cultivar is the year-round purple hue of its stems and leaves. Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ thrives with minimal fuss, making it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscapes. Ensure you select a location that maximizes sunlight to achieve the deepest coloration in the foliage of the Spider lily.

This adaptable plant performs well as edging, in hanging baskets, or cascading over retaining walls. Its ability to root easily from cuttings also contributes to its widespread use, allowing gardeners to overwinter specimens indoors or start new plants reliably each spring.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Commelinaceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 0.5-0.75 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
• Bloom Description: Pink
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ grows best when planted in the spring after all danger of frost has passed. For optimum purple leaf color, place the Spider lily in a location receiving full sun, although it tolerates partial shade. The soil should be rich, moist, and well-drained for healthy root development.

Water requirements are moderate; plants possess good drought tolerance once established but perform better with consistent moisture. Pruning is simple: pinch back stems regularly to encourage a bushier shape and prevent legginess. Immediately remove spent flower stems to maintain plant neatness.

Because this is a tender perennial, care must be taken if you reside outside Zones 10–11. In cooler climates, treat it as an annual or bring container plants indoors well before temperatures drop below 50°F for overwintering as houseplants. Remember that stems are somewhat fragile and should be sheltered from strong winds.

Propagation of Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ is extremely easy using cuttings, as seed is generally unavailable commercially. Take cuttings in the summer, allow them to root, and overwinter them indoors to secure plants for the next growing season, bypassing the need to buy new starter plants annually.

Landscape Uses

The bold, dark color of Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ makes it an invaluable tool for creating dramatic contrast in the garden. It functions excellently as groundcover, quickly spreading to suppress weeds. Use it along border fronts or as vibrant edging where its trailing stems can cascade slightly over pathways or stone retaining walls.

Its suitability for containers and hanging baskets cannot be overstated. The downward-trailing nature of the Spider lily ensures that it looks spectacular spilling over the sides of elevated planters, allowing homeowners to enjoy the deep purple foliage throughout the growing season irrespective of in-ground zone suitability.

When selecting companions, pair the Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ with plants featuring bright green, yellow, or silver foliage to maximize the visual impact of its violet tones. Consider pairing it with lighter-colored annuals or perennials in rock gardens for a vibrant, layered effect.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Tradescantia pallida (synonymous with Setcreasea purpurea) is native to Mexico and is often called purple heart. It features thick but fragile stems clad with pointed, narrow-oblong, v-shaped leaves that are sheathed to the stems, trailing to 18 inches or more. The cultivar ‘Purpurea’ boasts foliage color superior to the species, featuring deep violet-purple stems and leaves.

Tolerances

Potential Problems

Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ is generally noted as being quite resistant to major pests and diseases, contributing to its low maintenance profile. If grown outdoors in the garden, tender young shoots may occasionally attract damage from snails or caterpillars. If cultivating the Spider lily indoors as a houseplant, routine scouting for common houseplant pests like aphids or scale is advisable. Consistent monitoring prevents minor infestations from becoming significant issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Spider lily suitable for?

The Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ is winter hardy outdoors in USDA Zones 10 and 11. In cooler zones, it must be grown as an annual or brought indoors before frost.

How large does Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ grow?

When mature, this plant typically reaches a height between 0.5 and 0.75 feet tall, with a spread ranging from 1 to 1.5 feet, often trailing further horizontally.

When does Spider lily bloom?

This plant is considered a seasonal bloomer, producing small clusters of three-petaled pink flowers throughout its growing season.

What sun exposure does Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ need?

It prefers full sun to part shade; however, intense sunlight is required to bring out the best, richest purple coloration in the leaves of the Spider lily.

Conclusion

The striking, maintenance-free foliage and trailing habit make the Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ a versatile and highly valued addition to any warm-weather garden or container display. Few plants offer such consistent, deep purple color with such minimal effort, cementing the Spider lily’s place as a garden favorite. Before planting locally, confirm your USDA hardiness zone compatibility or plan your overwintering strategy now.

Propagation Tips

As seed is infrequently available for Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’, vegetative propagation via cuttings is the standard and easiest method. Stems root readily when placed in moist soil or even just a glass of water, making it simple to increase your stock of this purple-leaved beauty. Cuttings taken in mid-to-late summer root quickly and provide excellent material to overwinter indoors, ensuring you have vibrant growth ready for spring planting.

Container Growing

Growing Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ in containers is ideal, especially outside of Zones 10-11, as portability is key to survival in cooler climates. Use a well-draining potting mix and place the container where it receives abundant light to maintain the deep purple hue. Due to its trailing nature, it excels when positioned near the edge of shelves or tables to allow the stems to cascade freely.