Tribonanthes purpurea Plant Care
Tribonanthes purpurea T.D.Macfarl. & Hopper
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tribonanthes purpurea belongs to the genus Tribonanthes in the bloodwort family, Haemodoraceae. It was first described by Macfarlane and Hopper in 1987.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tribonanthes purpurea?
Water Tribonanthes purpurea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Tribonanthes purpurea?
Tribonanthes purpurea (Tribonanthes purpurea) belongs to the Haemodoraceae family within the Tribonanthes genus.
Tribonanthes purpurea displays a clumping perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Tribonanthes purpurea produces showy tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tribonanthes purpurea?
Tribonanthes purpurea requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tribonanthes purpurea Need?
Tribonanthes purpurea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tribonanthes purpurea Prefer?
Tribonanthes purpurea grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Tribonanthes purpurea prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tribonanthes purpurea?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Tribonanthes purpurea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tribonanthes purpurea?
Feed Tribonanthes purpurea every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tribonanthes purpurea?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tribonanthes purpurea?
Tribonanthes purpurea can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tribonanthes australis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tribonanthes purpurea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tribonanthes purpurea, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tribonanthes purpurea?
Tribonanthes purpurea is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tribonanthes purpurea Need?
Tribonanthes purpurea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Tribonanthes purpurea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tribonanthes purpurea is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Tribonanthes genus — compare its care with other Tribonanthes species on PlantoScan.
Tribonanthes is part of the Haemodoraceae plant family — browse all Haemodoraceae genera and species.
Tribonanthes purpurea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tribonanthes purpurea T.D.Macfarl. & Hopper, family Haemodoraceae (first published in Fl. Australia 45: 465 (1987)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tribonanthes purpurea, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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