Question
QUESTION: I need to know how to perk up a purple passion house plant successfully.. I bought this buy mail, and it looks a bit shabby
now I did water just a little bit with miracle gro last night. and repotted it. I sat it on my kitchen window sill to get some light. But it doesn't have a deep purple look like what I have seen before on the picture before I purchased it. what do you suggest I do ? or do I need to give it time to perk up?

ANSWER: Hi Teresa,

It is always a bit risky purchasing plants by mail as you never know just what you are getting and often the actual product does not live up to the expectations raised by the photos. I don't know exactly what yours looks like or how it has been cared for prior to your receiving it or just how long it was in transit. Thus, it is hard for me to give you specific advice.

I will say that Purple Passion plants (Gynura aurantiaca) require lots of direct indoor sunlight to develop and maintain a deep purple color. They can can survive in lower light, but will lose their purple color and the stems will become spindly. Plant food will not make up for inadequate light.

In addition, it is important to keep your plants tightly potted in the smallest pots that the roots will fit into. When properly potted, Purple Passion plants should be watered as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry.

Even if you follow my instructions, it will take a month or more before you see noticeable improvement. Be patient and look for signs of healthy new growth that have a darker purple color.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I SEE SOME NEW LEAVES COMING ON THE PLANT>> HOPING IT WILL BE OK > the OnLY reasOn I purchased is because you cant find this plant in my area I have searched several times..

Answer
Hi Teresa,

Thirty years ago there were lots of small plant shops in most areas where you get get almost any kind of houseplant. For a variety of reasons, most of those small plant retailers are now gone and Big Box stores are the only option for most folks outside of major urban areas to purchase plants. Unfortunately, the Big Box stores have contracts with large nurseries to produce huge quantities of a limited variety of plant species that they know will sell. Unusual plants are not part of their inventory.

So you are right, most folks have to purchase unusual plants like yours sight-unseen by mail. My experience with the mail order companies is that the plants are not usually as big or as healthy looking as the photos suggest. That doesn't mean you should not purchase this way, just that your plant will probably require some patience and special nurturing when it arrives.

Good luck with yours!

~Will