Purple heart is a succulent-like groundcover with rich royal purple foliage. Large, purple leaves turn to a dusty purple as they age. Sweet, three-petaled flowers appear amongst the leaves in summertime in various shades of pink and purple. Purple heart lends a tropical look, but it is impressively drought tolerant and can sustain dry periods for quite some time.
Plant purple heart in a location where it will be on display; it looks especially elegant in places where it is allowed to cascade, such as raised beds or in tall planters. Fill bare spots in underneath trees and in atriums with Purple Heart. Pair with plants that have bright, lime-green foliage for the ultimate contrast, such as asparagus fern or hearts & flowers, being superb choices. In Tucson, to maintain the rich color of the foliage, plant purple heart where it will receive morning sun and some afternoon shade. Cold nights during the winter may damage the top of the foliage, but it will recover quickly in the springtime.
Height: 12 – 18 inches
Width: 2 – 4 feet
Bloom color: Pink to Purple
Flowering season: Summer
USDA minimum zone: 7
Cold hardiness: 10° F
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