Purple Passion Plant

Purple Passion Plant Care

Gynura sarmentosa

What is the plant

Gynura aurantiaca is a flowering plant from the Asteraceae family. The homeland of the plant originally was Southeast Asia. However, now the plant has artificially spread to all corners of the world with a tropical climate. Purple Passion Plant has stunning leaf color and can be a decoration in any home. In addition, this plant is not difficult to care for.

At home, Gynura can reach 14 inches (35 centimeters) in height. The stems and leaves are purple. The plant is covered with small hairs that make Gynura soft to the touch. The flowers of the plant are yellow and have a strong smell. The elongated leaves are serrated at the edges. They are 3-4 inches long.

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Humidity

Normal

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

12°C - 18°C

Hardiness zone

10 - 12

Difficulty

Medium

How to Care for the Plant

Water
You need to water the Purple Passion Plant as soon as the topsoil is slightly dry. In winter, you can water the plant less often - wait until the topsoil dries. Gardeners recommend using warm, settled water for irrigation.
Pruning
Gynura needs pruning in spring. You can remove old and rotted sprouts to encourage new growth and make the plant look more decorative.
Fertilizer
Feeding is not necessary for the plant. However, if you want Purple Passion Plant to please you with growth and beautiful foliage, you can add top dressing from early spring to late summer. Complex mineral fertilizers for decorative and deciduous plants are suitable for this purpose. Gynura needs them about once a month.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
In its natural habitat, Purple Passion Plant grows in light areas. Therefore, the best place for a plant would be east or south window. However, if there is a hot sun in your area in the summer, you need to hide the plant in partial shade from the scorching rays. Otherwise, your Gynura will become stained.
Soil
Purple Passion Plant likes light soil with neutral acidity. You can use a ready mix for Asteraceae plants. To prepare the soil yourself, you need to mix leaf and sod soil, sand, and humus in equal proportions. Florists advise putting good drainage on the bottom of the pot.
Propagation
The best way to get a new Gynura bush is to propagate the flower from cuttings. To do this, you need to pick a cutting from the top of the sprout in spring or summer. It should have several leaves; put it in a vessel with water. After two weeks, this branch will have root sprouts and can be planted in a prepared pot with a substrate.

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Temperature
Gynura feels the best in summer when temperatures are between 65-77 degrees Fahrenheit (18-25 degrees Celsius). The temperature regime does not need changes if you plan to give the plant additional lighting in winter. If the plant is hibernating, you need to give it a temperature of 54-57 degrees Fahrenheit (12-14 degrees Celsius).
Container
The roots of the plant should feel free in the container. Purple Passion Plant needs regular repotting as the plant grows. You also should choose a drainage hole container, so the plant's roots do not rot.
Fun fact
Wild Gynura aurantiaca has spread from Asia to Africa, America, and Australia, "escaping" from flower growers.