Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' produces long, lance-shaped leaves in a rich, saturated violet-purple that intensifies in bright light. In summer, it produces small, three-petalled pink flowers at the stem tips. It is fast-growing, easy to propagate from cuttings, and remarkably tolerant of neglect.
One of the most vivid foliage colours you can grow indoors.
Live Arrival Guarantee
All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.
Your quick reference for choosing the right plant size. We group our plants by the diameter of their nursery pots which gives you a consistent way to understand scale.
5–8cm
Mini
Small but full of charm. These compact plants are perfect for desks, windowsills, and small shelves, or for building out a collection over time. Ideal if you enjoy watching your plants grow from the beginning. Approx. height: 10–20cm
9–11cm
Small
A step up in presence, great for side tables, shelves, or styling in clusters. Easy to move around and perfect for adding greenery without taking up too much space. Approx. height: 25–35cm
12–14cm
Medium
Our most versatile size. Works beautifully on shelves, desks, and plant stands, offering a fuller look without dominating a space. A great balance between impact and flexibility. Approx. height: 25–50cm
15–18cm
Large
More established plants with fuller foliage and stronger structure. Ideal for creating soft focal points in a room. Great for corners, beside furniture, or as standalone features. Approx. height: 40–70cm
19+cm
Extra Large
Big, impactful plants designed for floors and open spaces. These are your statement pieces and are perfect for anchoring a room or transforming a corner with instant greenery. Approx. height: 60cm–1.3m
Pots that fit this plant
We recommend
How to care for Purple Inch Plant
I want real sun on my leaves and give me a drink when my upper soil has dried out.
In their words
What our customers say
EP
Emily P.
Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.
JR
James R.
Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.
SL
Sophie L.
Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.
Get to know me
About Purple Inch Plant
Tradescantia pallida 'Purple Heart' is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright direct light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, average household humidity and a minimum temperature of 10°C. Its sap can irritate skin and mouths, so keep it away from pets and small children.
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in bright, indirect light or dappled shade. Keep it away from direct sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves. For healthy growth and vibrant foliage, place it near a north-facing or east-facing window where it will receive plenty of filtered light.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.Read moreShow less
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water your plant when the top 1/3 to 1/2 of the soil feels slightly dry, and always ensure the pot has good drainage. Avoid soggy soil or standing water, and do not let the plant dry out completely, as steady moisture is essential for healthy growth.
Humidity
Average homeHigh humidity
Happy at normal household humidity
This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.Read moreShow less
This plant will tolerate normal household humidity, but performs best with slightly higher levels. Like all tropical plants, good humidity levels help support healthy growth and keep the foliage healthy. If you have a particularly dry home, grouping plants together can help to increase humidity.
Keep above 10°C · Happy at normal room temperature
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.Read moreShow less
This plant grows best in warm temperatures between 18°C and 26°C. Keep it away from cold draughts and avoid temperatures below 15°C, as cooler conditions can stress the plant and affect healthy growth.
Feeding
Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.
The sap can irritate skin and mouths. Wash your hands after handling and keep it away from pets and small children.
Origins
Native to eastern Mexico, Tradescantia pallida grows in dry, open habitats including rocky slopes and roadside verges, where it tolerates heat, drought, and direct sun.
No, this plant isn't pet safe. It can be harmful or cause irritation if chewed, so keep it out of reach of cats and dogs. If you think your pet has eaten any, ring your vet straight away.
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.
If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.
If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.
It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.
If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.
If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.
That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.
Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.
When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.
We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.
Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.
It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.
Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.
Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.
During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.
That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.
The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Tradescantia, also known as inch plant or spiderwort, is a great low-maintainance houseplant for any living or office space. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Tradescantia thrives in warm, humid environments where its vibrant ...
Every order is hand-packed in eco-friendly, protective packaging - refined through thousands of deliveries to ensure your plant arrives healthy, hydrated, and looking its best.
Backed by our Live Arrival Guarantee.
Perfect for Gifting
From rare collector’s pieces to easy-care favourites, our plants arrive fully potted and ready to enjoy. Add a personalised note at checkout for a thoughtful finishing touch.
Delivered fresh, beautiful, and gift-ready.
Sustainability at Heart
All plants are ethically sourced from trusted growers, never wild-collected. Every order ships carbon-neutral in minimal-waste packaging.
Good for your home - and the planet.
Verified reviews
Rated by real customers
Customers praised this vibrant purple plant for arriving "bigger than expected" with "vivid colour" and "dense foliage." The plant is "really easy to care for" and healthy. Shoppers appreciated the excellent packaging with heat packs and fast delivery. One minor concern was slightly damaged leaves on arrival.
The colours on this plant already look great. So far has been really easy to care for
Beautiful, full plant. Really vivid colour.
Bigger than expected, healthy plant, secure packaging, fast delivery.
5 stars: 26 (93%)
4 stars: 2 (7%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)
T
Tiki H.
Fabulous!
I received my first order just before Christmas and I can’t wait to order more! Plants arrived with their own little heat pack which was still warm when I opened them and each plant was well protected from travel. They are all seeming to settle in well and I love them
K
Karen S.
Purple heart
Lovely thick furry leaves. Dense foliage and perfectly packed, so no damage.
L
Leo C.
Bigger!
I wasn't so sure about the price until I realized how densely packed it was!
N
Nina
Lovely deep purple and very healthy
T
Tommy
Surprised at how big this was when it turned up. The colours on this plant already look great. Look forward to seeing how it turns out better over time. So far has been really easy to care for 💜
M
Monika
Absolutely anazing. Bigger than expected, healthy plant, secure packaging, fast delivery.
A
Anonymous (United Kingdom)
12cm
Arrived in good condition and has started growing.
Z
Zlatina Petrova (United Kingdom)
12cm
Came bigger than expected and in excellent condition 😊
L
Lynda Nester (United Kingdom)
12cm
Beautiful, full plant. Really vivid colour.
J
J.O.
Another healthy plant from a great supplier.
A
Amy
Leaves were a little damaged but otherwise okay
A
Andrina S.
A lovely Purple Plant
The plant arrived very well packed as always, on unpacking I could see that it was very healthy and purple.
It appears to be thriving, but it's good to receive such a healthy plant as a base to grow onwards and upwards.
I'll definitely be purchasing again from Grow Tropicals as prices are reasonable, packing is very good and sturdy, plants arrive in very good conditions and the plants themselves are great quality.
k
karen
plant babies
lovely with £5off 25 squid spend on potting etc
M
Mae
Very healthy plant and good size 🙂
M
Mae
Very healthy plant and good size :slightly_smiling:
A
April G.
Just as pictured
Beautiful plant, arrived well packed and looks just like the picture.
E
Emma H.
Beautiful and abundant
A lovely variation of purple with strong growth
S
Suzanne C.
Beautiful
LOVE :heart:️
M
Martyn
Looked very healthy and was packed well. Amazing colour
M
Martyn
Looked very healthy and was packed well. Amazing colour
J
Jess S.
Amazing
such a pretty type of tradescantia! So healthy & a lovely plant. Shipping was fast & safely wrapped up in the parcel. Thank you!
M
Michael C.
First order, impressed
Plants arrived as described, securely packaged, well watered and in good condition. Swift delivery as well. Will def order again
C
Claire T.
Purple Heart
Beautiful plant excellent condition and well packaged. I’m very pleased with the plant as I’ve been looking for one of these for a while
J
Jan C.
Beautiful colour. Looking forward to
Beautiful colour. Looking forward to seeing if it develops a trailing habit.
C
Carwyn
This is a plant shop where it is very clear that the staff are plant people. The plants arrived in abuntant health and ready to bring a smile every day since. The prices are fair and the service is great. I'll be back!
C
Carwyn
This is a plant shop where it is very clear that the staff are plant people. The plants arrived in abuntant health and ready to bring a smile every day since. The prices are fair and the service is great. I'll be back!
