Purple Passion Plant or Velvet Plant

Botanical Name: Gynura aurantiaca

Purple Passion Plant is known for its finely serrated green leaves, densely covered with purple hairs. The leaf undersides and stems are also hairy, giving the whole plant an iridescent, velvety sheen.

Pinch off the yellow-orange flowers that appear in spring. They're not only ugly, they have a bad odor. Plants often flower after they're a year old. You may notice that your plant will begin to decline after flowering. That's why it's a good idea to propagate cuttings to replace your plant. It's fast-growing, so you'll have a big, lush-looking new house plant in no time.

Shed some light. Providing bright light will enhance the color of this stunning foliage plant. If the leaves are more green than purple, move the plant to a sunnier spot. Keep it out of harsh, direct sunlight, though, because its leaves will scorch.

Pinch it back. Pinching off the stem tips is the way to make it branch out for a fuller, bushier plant. Don't toss out those stem tip cuttings, either. They'll root easily, giving you more beautiful plants.

Water regularly. Purple Passion Plant is a "fainter" if the soil is allowed to dry out. However, you can revive it quickly with a thorough watering. Aim to keep the soil evenly moist during the growing season, slightly drier in winter.

Purple Passion Plant Care Tips

Origin: Indonesia

Height: Upright forms grow to 2 ft (60 cm) tall. Trailing forms can grow to 4 ft (1.2 m) long.

Light: Bright indirect light. Some direct morning sun is fine, but avoid strong summer sun which can scorch its leaves.

Water: Keep the soil evenly moist spring through fall. Water less in winter, keeping the plant barely moist. When watering, take care not to get water drops on the leaves which can damage them.

Humidity: Moderate to high. If the relative humidity drops below 50%, use a pebble tray or room humidifier. Don't mist this plant because the hairs trap moisture that may cause the leaves to rot.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F/16-24°C.

Soil: Peat moss-based potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. Feed monthly in winter.

Propagation: Take 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring or early summer. Cut just below a node -- the place where a leaf is attached to a stem. Dip cut ends in hormone rooting powder and place in moist peat moss or perlite. Enclose in a clear, plastic bag or cloche for the first couple weeks to hold in moisture.