Purple Passion Plant, Gynura
Gynura sarmentosa
Text and photo by Chris McComas
Looking for an unusual looking houseplant? How about one with hairy purple fuzz covering dark green leaves?
This striking combination describes purple passion plant's soft-as-velvet, deep purple, haze-covered leaves. This easy-to-grow houseplant is not large, with leaves 3-4 inches long and wide. Left on its own, it has a trailing habit but retains color and is more upright when growth tips are pinched out.
They benefit from at least some direct sun daily to keep the purple foliage bright. Gynuras grow well in normal room temperatures but like humidity, so place their pot on a tray of damp pebbles for best results. Water moderately, then let the top inch of standard potting mixture dry out before watering again.
Like other hairy-leaved plants, avoid wetting the leaves. Apply standard liquid fertilizer no more than once a month throughout the year.