The Hemigraphis genus includes tropical Asian species with leaves that are grey or green on the top, and purple underneath. What makes the purple waffle plant so special is the deep puckering of each leaf, which doubles its surface area. For a plant with such an exotic appearance, the purple waffle plant is easy to growfor beginners. The two key ingredients for success with this tropical plant are warm temperatures and regular watering. Purple waffle plants appreciate rich, humus-y soil, which you may supplement with fertilizer as necessary. The purple waffle plant is at home in the garden as an annual, or in a window as a houseplant.
Waffle plant info says growing waffle plants need evenly moist soil. Constant watering of well-drained soil promotes a growth and well-being of a waffle plant. However, do not allow a roots of a plant to remain in soggy soil. Info also indicates high humidity is an integral part of red ivy plant care.
They can be quite sensitive to too much direct sun, particularly in the afternoon, and will need shade during the hottest parts of the day.
Clip or pinch off dead leaves and stems. If stems have rotted at the root, pull them out, and make sure to let the soil dry out before the plant's next watering.
Purple waffle plants have a spreading growth habit that includes forming roots at each node as it spreads. Plants that spread in this way are very easy to propagate, giving you and your friends an unlimited number of plants for the price of one. Use a clean, sharp pair of snips or scissors to cut the end of an actively growing stem, including at least one node. If you take a stem that lies close to the soil, roots may already be forming.Place this cutting in a container of moist potting soil, and keep it consistently damp until you see new growth from your cutting. The purple waffle plant has a moderate to fast rate of growth, so if your plant is healthy, you will need to repot it when you notice roots coming out of the drainage holes. The stems of waffle plants break easily, so it's important not to pull the plant from its container by the stems. Instead, turn the plant over and gently tap on the container. Use a butter knife to coax the rootball away from the container sides if it's particularly wedged in place. Use a good quality potting soil to fill in the additional space in the new, larger container.
Warm temperatures and high humidity conditions are a must for cultivating healthy purple waffle plants. Bring plants indoors before frost, or preferably, before temperatures dip below 40F.
