How to Grow and Care for Purple Passion Plant
You love your sturdy pothos, pretty Pink Princess philodendron, and colorful prayer plant. But if you’re looking for another low-maintenance houseplant that’s eye-catching and unique, check out the purple passion plant.
It’s also known as velvet plant or purple velvet plant.
Purple passion plant (Gynura aurantica) has a vining form with dark green foliage that has serrated edges. What makes it so special is that the leaves are edged in brilliant purple velvety fuzz. It’s a beautiful contrast when arranged alongside your other houseplants.
Native to humid tropical regions around the world, this vining plant adds a rich glow that looks amazing cascading out of hanging baskets.
Purple passion plant handles indoor conditions just fine as long as you don’t overwater it. And although it looks exotic, it’s a relatively un-fussy houseplant that makes a great choice for novice plant parents.
Ahead, learn everything you need to know about how to care for a purple passion plant:
Why Trust Us?
I'm a garden writer with more than 15 years of experience growing houseplants, edibles, and landscape plantings. I also trial new plant cultivars for performance and reliability, and test garden products to evaluate practicality and durability. Purple passion plant is one of the first houseplants I owned as a kid.
Purple Passion Plant Basic Info:
- Common Name: Purple passion plant, purple velvet plant, velvet plant
- Botanical Name: Gynura aurantiaca
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Type of Plant: Perennial, grown as houseplant
- Native Origin: Africa, Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Thailand
- Sun Exposure: Part shade
- Mature Size: 1 foot high by 2 feet tall
- Toxic to pets: No
What Is a Purple Passion Plant?
This herbaceous perennial is an easy-care houseplant with gorgeous velvety purple hairs along its leaves.
