How To Plant, Grow And Care For Purple Heart

Timing is crucial when planting purple hearts to guarantee their health and brilliant hue.

Ideal Time to Plant

Purple hearts are best planted in the spring after the danger of frost has ended. These plants prefer soil that is warm and thrive in warm weather. They have a full growing season to establish their roots and flourish before the arrival of cooler temperatures if they are sown in the spring.

Purple hearts can also be planted early in the fall to allow them to grow before the winter cold in warmer climates (zones 7–11) when frost is rare or only mild. Pick a location that receives full sun to moderate shade for optimal color vibrancy and development.

Avoid Planting

Do not plant purple hearts in late autumn or winter if frosts or freezing temperatures occur in your location. These plants may suffer harm or not survive prolonged cold temperatures due to their sensitivity to frost. Additionally, avoid planting during the hottest part of the summer, especially in arid areas, as the intense sunlight and high temperatures can harm freshly planted plants before they establish strong roots. 

Lastly, it is wise to avoid planting during wet seasons because soggy soil can cause root rot. You may enjoy purple hearts' vibrant purple hues and sturdy growth all year long if you plant them at the correct times and steer clear of bad ones. Proper timing n ensures they remain healthy and thrive in your garden.

The simplest and most prevalent method to plant and cultivate purple hearts is by propagating from cuttings.

Step 1: Select a Healthy Parent Plant

Examine the plant and select a healthy, mature purple heart plant with vibrant purple stems that are free of damage, bugs, and illnesses. Choose a robust and active stem at least 4-6 inches long with several nodes. Avoid stems that are weak, too thin, or damaged. 

Step 2: Make the Cut

Gather your equipment. Using sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears is important to avoid crushing the stem and to reduce the chance of spreading diseases. If necessary, clean your tools with rubbing alcohol or soap and water. Next, trim the stem right beneath a node. A node is a slight protrusion on the stem from which leaves or roots can develop. A tidy cut encourages quicker rooting and inhibits decay.

Step 3: Get the Cutting Ready

Only a few leaves should remain at the top of the cutting after the lowest two to three inches of leaves are carefully removed. By doing this, the plant may focus its efforts on root development and reduce water loss.

Allowing the cutting to rest for an hour is not necessary but recommended so the cut end can callus. This step helps prevent decomposition, especially if you plan to plant the cutting in soil.

Step 4: Rooting the Cutting

You can choose one of two methods: rooting in soil or rooting in water.

1. Rooting in Soil

• Ensure the soil you choose drains properly. A mixture designed for indoor plants or succulents works well. Before planting, slightly moisten the soil.
• Get the planting area ready. If you are using a pot, it should have drainage holes to prevent water buildup. 
• Ensure that at least one node is covered when you plant the cutting in the ground. For the cutting to remain erect, tamp the ground around the base.
• Gently moisten the soil to maintain dampness without over-saturation. Steer clear of excessive watering since it may lead to rot.

2. Rooting in Water

• Select a Container: Opt for a transparent jar or glass to facilitate root growth observation.
• Fill with Water: Pour sufficient water into the jar to cover the bottom 2-3 inches of cutting. Ensure that at least one node is submerged.
• Position in Luminous, Indirect Light: Set the jar in a warm, well-lit area, steering clear of direct sunlight to avoid excessive heat.
• Observe and Replace Water: Replace the water every few days to maintain freshness and avoid bacterial development. Roots usually start to develop within 1-2 weeks.

Step 5: Transplanting Rooted Cuttings

Water-Rooted Cuttings: After roots reach 1-2 inches in length, move the cutting into soil. Utilize the same approach outlined in Method 1: Rooting in Soil for planting.

Soil-Rooted Cuttings: When the cutting roots are directly in the soil, no further transplanting is required unless you relocate it to a permanent spot.

Purple Hearts make an excellent choice for novice gardeners. They are simple to cultivate and maintain. They require little upkeep as well. Here are the essential care needs you should be aware of concerning them.

Light

Full sunlight to partial shade is required for optimal growth of purple hearts. They need 6 to 8 hours of natural light for vivid purple foliage. Shade during high summer temperatures in the afternoon will help prevent dehydration and blistering of the leaves.

In poorly lit outdoor or indoor conditions, purple heart plants may not lose their striking purple pigmentation totally but tend to take on a more greenish-purple or paler hue. If you're growing them inside, place them next to a window that receives indirect sunshine or use a grow light to intensify the light. 

You should adjust the light exposure based on your surroundings to balance protecting against excessive heat and their light needs.

Soil

Well-draining soil providing the perfect combination of moisture retention and airflow is essential for purple heart growth. Light and loose sandy or loamy soil is the best because it drains water and stops the roots from sitting in moisture, which may lead to rotting. 

Before planting, it will be better to amend the heavy clay loam with sand, compost, or perlite to improve drainage and provide an ideal rooting environment. The soil should also be slightly acidic to neutral, anywhere from 6.0 to 7.5 pH, although the purple hearts can survive in slightly alkaline conditions.

Water

Whether planted in soil or containers, purple hearts should be watered every two to three days, keeping the soil evenly moist for the first one to two weeks after planting. Ensure the soil does not get too saturated so as not to promote root rot.

The plants can survive a dry spell once they are established, which is why they require watering every seven to ten days. If exposed to too much sunlight during long hours in the summer, water them more frequently. However, do not water until the top 1-inch or 2 inches of soil is dry.

Water your plant well at the roots and not overhead, as it will prevent moisture from accumulating on the leaves with a lot of dampness. This is usually a precursor to rotting and fungal diseases. In the end, well-watered plants will have moisture deep into the soil and to the roots.

Fertilizer

Fertilizing every two weeks is a fantastic starting point during the growing season from spring to summer, but pay close attention to how your plant reacts because that is the most accurate signal. You're on the correct track if it's flourishing; if not, it might be time to reduce.

Your purple heart is not trying to grow during the cooler months. The time has come to reduce fertilization frequency. Think of it as the downtime of your plant—less feeding, more rest. A monthly or even every other-month regimen can help prevent overfertilization.

Start with a diluted solution half the strength of the manufacturer's recommended dosage to prevent fertilizer burn. For precision, use a measuring cup or syringe. Apply the diluted fertilizer directly to the soil carefully without spilling it onto the leaves unless it is meant for foliar feeding.

If using granular fertilizer, distribute it evenly around the base of the plant, avoiding stems and leaves to avoid direct contact that could result in burns. Water well after gently stirring the soil to distribute the grains.

Temperature and Humidity

Purple Hearts flourish in various settings but favor humidity and temperatures ranging from 60°F to 85°F, even though they can thrive in tropical and subtropical areas. Nonetheless, they can be susceptible to harm from frost or low temperatures, so if you own one outdoors, relocating it indoors to prevent such conditions is always a wise decision.

Purple heart plants flourish in moist environments, so when cultivated as a houseplant, utilize a humidifier to replicate tropical settings. When grown outside, the purple heart plant will die off in the winter when temperatures drop below 40°F, yet the roots remain alive. Arid air can harm the leaves. Although tolerant of various temperatures, frost may inflict lasting harm on plants.

Pruning 

The best time of year to prune your purple heart plant significantly is in the spring. It is ready to emerge into a new life after the chill of winter. It's time to start cutting when you notice signs of new growth. Keep a watchful eye on your plant during the growing season, as regular pruning keeps it in shape and encourages more robust growth. 

The best method for a fuller purple heart is pinching. Pinch the plant tips with your fingertips, so the young stems branch out instead of growing heights or cut the stems up to 6 inches for a more drastic change using your pruners. This can sound harsh, but it is like resetting your plant, resulting in new, healthy growth.

Cutting requires the use of clean, sharp tools. This has to do with your plant’s health, not just appearance. Squeezing stems with blunt blades can cause disease and an ugly Purple Heart. Just above a leaf node, cut at a 45-degree angle because this is where the magic happens, and new growth will appear. 

You shouldn't just pick any pot for your purple hearts if you prefer potting plants to grow them in a garden. We recommend using a four to six-inch wide pot because it promotes the plant to grow compactly and develop a robust root system. Additionally, make sure the pot you choose has drainage holes. Once you have one, place the plant in the middle of the pot, cover the roots evenly with soil, and then give it plenty of water.

Repotting purple hearts immediately after planting is not advised. Your plant should be replanted every few years or when it grows too big for the pot. Select a container a couple of inches taller than you already have when repotting it. After planting, carefully remove the plant from its current pot, leaving the roots in place, and then fill the new pot with dirt and water. To allow the plant to acclimate after transplanting and reduce shock, ensure to start it in a shaded area.

There are a few things to think about to ensure your beautiful plant thrives. Place them in an area with lots of light because they need a lot of light to thrive, but keep them out of direct sunlight. It is also crucial to avoid overwatering them, as this may affect when they bloom.

You should not give up if your plants do not bloom. Moving them to a lighter environment should be your first course of action. You can change your watering schedule by allowing the soil to dry out between applications and using a balanced soil fertilizer to promote blooming. 

Regardless of your level of gardening expertise, pests may nevertheless manage to appear. This is why it is crucial to keep an eye on your plants.

When caring for Purple Hearts, several illnesses and pests might cause problems. Aphids and spider mites are the main pests linked to root rot and infections like leaf drop.

There are a few steps you can take to help prevent these diseases and pests from spreading. Regularly check your plants for pests, and when needed, remove and treat them naturally. Use a pot with enough drainage and refrain from overwatering to prevent root rot. Regular plant maintenance can help avoid many problems that can cause leaf drop, such as when your plant is dry and not getting enough water or when there are sudden temperature changes.

In USDA hardiness zones 7–11, purple hearts may withstand the winter outside without any issues. Purple hearts, however, will not withstand the winter if you live in a colder climate. It can be kept indoors or grown as an annual, allowing it to die and then being replanted the following spring.

You can ensure your purple heart survives the winter by bringing it inside before the first frost. Place the plant in the brightest part of your home because it prefers direct sunlight. Consider using a grow light if required. Trim the vines if they start to wane and water once the earth has completely dried out. You can move the purple heart outside when the last date of frost in your area has passed.