The v-shaped leaves are narrow and measure 4″ to 6″ inches long. When grown outdoors, the spreading plant provides weedy ground cover.

The stems are fragile, especially with younger plants. If kicked or stepped on, the stems may break.

Flowering and Fragrance

The plant blooms throughout the warmer months producing small, three-petaled flowers.

The small pink flowers rarely measure more than 1.5″ inches in diameter.

They appear in clusters and don’t produce a scent.

Light and Temperature

Tradescantia pallida grow best in partial shade and tolerate sunny areas.

It shouldn’t receive direct afternoon sunlight for more than an hour or two.

While it thrives in the shade, sunlight helps bring out the color in the purple leaves.

NOTE: If the plant receives a lot of sunlight, the soil should be kept moist.

The tender purple queen can’t survive freezing conditions.

It’s often grown in gardens as an annual in regions with mild climates and indoors as a houseplant in cooler areas.

It’s winter hardy to USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11.

When grown indoors, it should receive filtered light for at least eight hours per day.

If possible, try to move the plant outdoors during the warmer months of spring and summer to encourage brighter foliage.

Watering and Feeding

Water moderately during the warmer months and sparingly during the winter.