Purple Leaf Plant

If you want to add a dramatic splash of color to your garden or home, look no further than a purple leaf plant. With vibrant foliage, these plants offer year-round visual interest that flowers often can’t match. They come in all shapes and sizes, from groundcovers to towering trees. This guide will help you choose, grow, and care for the best purple-leaved varieties.

The term “purple leaf plant” covers a huge range of species. Their color comes from pigments called anthocyanins. These pigments mask the green chlorophyll, creating shades from deep burgundy to lavender. The intensity of the color can change with the seasons, light exposure, and even the plant’s age. This makes them dynamic additions to any planting scheme.

Top Picks for Your Garden

Here are some reliable and stunning purple leaf plants to consider. Each brings its own unique character and growing needs.

Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida): A fantastic trailing plant with long, pointed leaves of deep violet. It’s perfect for containers and hanging baskets, especially in warm climates.
Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum varieties): Many cultivars, like ‘Bloodgood’ or ‘Crimson Queen’, have finely dissected, reddish-purple leaves. They provide elegant structure and are a focal point in any landscape.
Purple Coral Bells (Heuchera): A shade garden superstar. Heuchera offers ruffled leaves in shades of plum, silver, and deep purple. They’re low-growing and excellent for borders.
Smoke Bush (Cotinus coggygria ‘Royal Purple’): A large shrub with rounded, rich purple leaves. In summer, it gets wispy, smoke-like flowers, hence its name.
Ornamental Cabbage and Kale (Brassica oleracea): These are cool-season annuals with stunning, frilly centers in pink, white, and purple. They thrive in fall and early spring gardens.

Growing Conditions for Success

To keep that purple color vibrant, you need to provide the right environment. While each plant has specific needs, some general rules apply.

Sunlight: The Color Key

For most purple-leafed plants, sun is crucial. Full sun (6+ hours daily) often brings out the richest, darkest hues. In too much shade, many will fade to a greenish-bronze or become leggy as they reach for light. Always check the tag, though—some, like certain Heucheras, prefer partial shade to prevent leaf scorch.

Soil and Watering Needs

Well-draining soil is non-negotiable. Soggy roots will quickly lead to rot. Amend heavy clay soil with compost to improve drainage. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Consistent moisture is key, but overwatering is a common mistake that can harm the plants health.

Care and Maintenance Tips

Keeping your purple foliage looking its best requires a little ongoing attention. It’s not difficult, but a few simple steps make a big difference.

Pruning: Regularly pinch back trailing plants like Purple Heart to encourage bushier growth. For shrubs like Smoke Bush, prune in late winter or early spring to shape and promote new, colorful growth.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring. Avoid high-nitrogen formulas, as they can promote excessive green leaf growth at the expense of purple pigmentation.
Winter Care: Tender perennials (like Purple Heart) may need to be brought indoors in cold climates. Mulch around the base of hardy shrubs and trees to protect their roots from freeze-thaw cycles.

Design Ideas for Vibrant Foliage

Purple leaves are incredibly versatile in design. They can create contrast, act as a focal point, or tie a color scheme together.

Create Contrast: Pair purple foliage with plants that have bright green, silver, or gold leaves. The combination makes both colors pop. For example, try purple Heuchera next to a golden hosta.
Add Depth: Use dark purple plants in the background of a border to create a sense of depth and mystery. Lighter colored flowers in the front will seem to jump forward.
Monochromatic Schemes: Combine different purple-leaf plants with varying textures and shades. Add pink or white flowering companions for a sophisticated, cohesive look.
Container Gardens: A pot filled with a purple leaf plant, a trailing silver plant, and a spike of blue flowers is instantly striking. It’s an easy way to add drama to a patio or entrance.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even the best gardeners encounter issues. Here’s how to tackle common problems with purple leaf plants.

Fading Color: This is usually a sign of too little sun. If possible, gradually move the plant to a sunnier location. For houseplants, a south-facing window can help.
Leggy Growth: Insufficient light also causes stretched, weak stems. Prune back the leggy growth and increase light exposure. The plant should produce more compact new growth.
Pests: Watch for aphids, spider mites, and slugs. A strong spray of water can dislodge mites and aphids. For slugs, use organic bait or hand-pick them in the evening.
Leaf Scorch: If leaf edges turn brown and crispy, the plant might be getting too much harsh, afternoon sun or not enough water. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates and check soil moisture regularly.

Propagating Your Purple Plants

Sharing plants with friends or expanding your own collection is rewarding. Many purple leaf plants are easy to propagate.

Stem Cuttings (for Purple Heart, Coleus): Cut a 4-6 inch stem just below a leaf node. Remove the lower leaves and place the cutting in water or moist potting mix. Roots should develop in a few weeks.
Division (for Heuchera, Ornamental Grasses): In early spring or fall, dig up the plant and gently seperate it into smaller sections, each with roots and shoots. Replant immediately and water well.
Seeds (for Ornamental Cabbage/Kale): Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow them shallowly in a seed-starting mix and keep moist. Transplant seedlings outdoors when the weather cools.

FAQ

Why is my purple leaf plant turning green?
This is most often due to lack of sunlight. The plant produces more green chlorophyll to compensate. Some plants also revert to green if they are over-fertilized, especially with nitrogen.

Can purple leaf plants be grown indoors?
Absolutely! Many, like Purple Heart, certain Begonias, and Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus), make excellent houseplants. Place them in your brightest window to maintain their color.

What are some good purple leaf plants for full shade?
While most prefer sun, some tolerate shade. Look for Heuchera varieties like ‘Obsidian’, certain Coleus, and the dark-leaved Ligularia. Their color may be less intense but they still add great interest.

Do deer eat purple leaf plants?
It depends on the plant. Deer tend to avoid fuzzy or aromatic foliage. They often leave plants like Heuchera and Smoke Bush alone, but may sample others. Local deer populations have different tastes, so it’s best to check with a local nursery.

How often should I water my purple leaf plant in a pot?
Potted plants dry out faster. Check the soil every few days by sticking your finger an inch deep. Water thoroughly until it runs out the drainage holes when the top inch feels dry. Avoid letting the pot sit in a saucer of water.