Purple Queen Plant Care

Purple Queen (Vindasia virgata) belongs to the Acanthaceae family within the Vindasia genus. Purple Queen is native to Madagascar. Purple Queen is also known as Tradescantia pallida.

Purple Queen displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Purple Queen produces tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or pink.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Queen every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Queen thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Purple Queen in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Vindasia virgata tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Purple Queen prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Loose, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Purple Queen to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Queen every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and loose, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Queen is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Queen can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Queen while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Purple Queen is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Purple Queen can be propagated through stem cuttings, division, air layering.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Purple Queen is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, whiteflies. 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.

Purple Queen grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Purple Queen is native to Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow Purple Queen as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.