Purple Velvet Plant

Common Name: Purple Passion Vine, Purple Velvet Plant
Latin Name: Gynura sarmentosa
Family: Asteraceae
Plant Type: Tropical Perennial
Origin: Indonesia
Blooming Time: Spring, early summer
Humidity: High
Temperature: 65 – 85*F
Height: 9′ or more
Color: Green, purple
Insects and Diseases: Aphids, mealy bugs

Description:
The Purple Velvet Plant is a gorgeous plant that has greenish leaves covered with a velvety purple fuzzy hairs. Each leaf has multiple tips and the underside is generally a reddish purple. Blooms are a yellowish orange color and have a very bad odor.

Lighting:
Purple Passions should be placed where it can receive bright, but filtered sunlight. If the plant doesn’t get enough lighting it’s leaves will start to fade and it will lose it’s brilliant purple color.

Watering:
The Purple Passion has delicate roots and soil should be kept moderately moist at all times. The soils surface can be allowed to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid over watering as the plant is very prone to root rot.

Soil:
Use a good potting soil that retains moisture but will drain well. Rocks can be added to the bottom of the pot for extra drainage. The roots will quickly rot if they’re allowed to sit in drenched soil.

Fertilization:
Fertilize your Purple Passion every week during the growing periods. Use a high quality, water soluble plant food and mix to half the recommended strength. Feeding should be stopped or decreased through the winter months, unless you can tell that the plant is still growing.

Propagation:
Purple Passion can be easily propagated through stem cuttings any time of the year. Cuttings can be kept in water until the roots have grown. You can also place the cutting into a good quality potting soil. Roots will normally appear within one to two weeks.

Toxicity-Poisonous:
The toxicity level of Purple Passion differs in opinions. While it is listed on the non-toxic plant list and is generally thought to be non-poisonous, it should not be ingested. And, some people may have an allergic reaction to the plant.

24 Responses to "Purple Velvet Plant"

By Becky April 26, 2009 - 9:04 pm

That’s a gorgeous pic of Purple Passion. Thanks so much for such relevent info on care and propagation. Will come in very handy when the plant I’ve ordered arrives. I’m so looking forward to rooting cuttings and having lots of plants. Have also ordered two hindu rope plants (one variegated), which also root well from cuttings. What fun it’s going to be !

By Tari Siders October 7, 2009 - 1:14 pm

Thank you for the information I Love the looks of this plant and I have really been having a problem trying to find these plant. When I do find them on the internet the shipping cost is more than the plant. Can you help???

By Tay January 20, 2012 - 12:42 pm

Home Depot has them. I’m going to buy one
Reply

By Shai November 10, 2009 - 6:29 pm

I live in Michigan and have tried to get this plant. I know that this plant is very delicate and tempermental. If I have it shipped will it be okay and who is reputable to buy from in my area so that I can get it in one peice?

By Audrey February 25, 2010 - 11:18 am

I found a beautiful Purple Passion Plant, but it is covered with aphids. What is the best way to get rid of them?

By Diane March 25, 2010 - 1:07 pm

Thank you so much for this information on the purple velvet plant. My mom has several of these plants in her house. She pinched one off and put it in water and when it got lots of roots she gave it to me. This is the only plant that I have been able to keep alive for more then a month or so….always forgetting to water my plants so they die. But not this one!!! Well my mom passed away last week and I never knew the name of the plant so I looked it up. The name fits it perfect! My mom loved these because they seem to change color from purple to green when you move them around. Now with this information I can now continue what my mom has always done. Let them grow pinch put in water and let them grow some more. Them give the piches to friends, family and more!! Thank you so much. Diane

By Marissa April 13, 2010 - 2:15 pm

This plant is lovely and very low maintance The color is a nice pop to a container garden.

Tari: I purchase one at Home Depot, but there is here in Florida. Talk to a nursary, they might be able to special order a plant or help you to find one!

By CoCo April 23, 2010 - 3:26 pm

I just bought two of these at Lowe’s, they’re almost impossible to find here in Ky to. I do know that some of the nursery’s have them, but they’re really high there. These are one of my all time favorite plants.

I’ve never had a problem with aphids or spider mites, but I’ve read that you can mix a little bit of insecticidal soap in some water and spray it on them. As far as having one shipped, I would think that if it’s a reputable seller and they package it right it should be fine. All the places I’ve looked at online ship plants priority, so it wouldn’t be boxed up long.

By Stephanie May 6, 2010 - 6:32 pm

I purchased mine at Home Depot as well, in Virginia. It is very important to follow the watering instructions. I lost my first one, which was a gift, to root rot. I’m hoping to have better luck this time.

By Robin May 12, 2010 - 7:32 pm

I bought mine at Home Depot in Texas. I didn’t know I could pinch it off & root like that. Mine is growing into one long vine. Thanks for the help!

By Lea June 10, 2010 - 10:44 am

I bought one of these on ebay last year. I was getting ready to buy another one because mine is just one stem/vine. I did not know that I could pinch them off and let them root. Should I pinch a leaf off…or does it have to be the main stem?

To Diane…I’m sorry for the loss of your mother.

By Maria gonsalves July 3, 2010 - 4:44 pm

HI my name is maria gonsalves I adore the purple velvet plant I have called some nurseries to buy this beautiful plant if you can mail me the plant I would be so grateful
I love that beautiful velvet if you can send me please let me know I will be looking for your response thank you so very much

By Vivienne September 9, 2010 - 7:09 am

I had one of these passed from my late mother. Sadly it was in an unheated summer home one night too long and it died. I raised my plant under lights to keep the beautiful color and fertilized with half strength Miracle gro. It did beautifully and was a delight.

By Georgie in Sanford ME September 15, 2010 - 6:02 am

This is my fav, plant but its very hard to keep alive

I got mine from Shaws.

By Rose in ND October 6, 2010 - 3:46 pm

To those who say that the Purple Velvet is hard to find I agree. It took me close to 8 years to find one. i am also glad to know that I can do cuttings. The only plant I could find was a HUGE hanging basket. Just waiting for it to fall on someones head. (cross fingers) Good luck in finding one.

By Heather December 14, 2010 - 11:14 am

I got one of these plants justrecently. However i noticed that there are little flying bugs on it that stay close to the soil, could you please help me with this? What are these and how do i get rid of them. I believe the place i got them from has a problem because one of my other plants i bought from there has them too. Thanks,

By PlantLady May 8, 2011 - 8:19 pm

These are super easy to root in water and can be indefinitely grown in nothing but water. But, they won’t sprout from leaves, you have to have a piece of the stem. I try to cut sections that have at least two sets of leaves. The roots form at the leaf nodes where the leaves grow on the vines. Cut the bottom leaves off before putting them in water and make sure that the water covers the leaf node.

By marian.harris May 13, 2011 - 1:59 am

where can i buy the house plant gynura sarmentosa from i lost mine after having it for so long kind regards marian

By Mrs.Slone May 30, 2011 - 8:13 pm

@ marian you can buy them online at Amazon or e bay There may even be an online plant store where you can pick many types if there are different types I know nothing at all about these plants but at the first tow places I suggested you should find them at low prices. Hope you can find some good lick

By PlantLady June 15, 2011 - 2:28 pm

I have had some luck finding these plants at Lowe’s and WalMart on occasion. And, there is a nursery not far from here that has them almost all the time, of course they’re a lot higher there. I have have always just had the purple ones, but there is a variegated variety that has creamy white throughout the purple and green. These are more rare and from what I’ve heard a little harder to grow. But, like I said I don’t have any experience with the variegated variety.

By marian.harris June 21, 2011 - 7:16 am

where can i buy the plant from

By PlantLady June 21, 2011 - 4:50 pm

I have bought them at Lowe’s and WalMart. But you can find them online at Amazon or Ebay lot’s of the time.

By foleygirl59 December 19, 2011 - 10:10 am

December 19,2011
Please my beautiful purple passion is slowly dying. Thir health issue started @least 2 months, the leaves have a welting look and the coloring turns to pale yellowish green about average of 6 to 12 leaves at a time. I taken a cutting from the plant just in case, but the cuttings is still doing the same thing. Pease help, it took me meny years to find this plant

By arley January 9, 2012 - 2:22 pm

my puple velvet plant is dying =( its vines are drying up and the leaves are limp .
what can i do to revive what once was beautiful.
thanks .

By Becky April 26, 2009 - 9:04 pm

That’s a gorgeous pic of Purple Passion. Thanks so much for such relevent info on care and propagation. Will come in very handy when the plant I’ve ordered arrives. I’m so looking forward to rooting cuttings and having lots of plants. Have also ordered two hindu rope plants (one variegated), which also root well from cuttings. What fun it’s going to be !
By Tari Siders October 7, 2009 - 1:14 pm

Thank you for the information I Love the looks of this plant and I have really been having a problem trying to find these plant. When I do find them on the internet the shipping cost is more than the plant. Can you help???
- By Tay January 20, 2012 - 12:42 pm
  
  Home Depot has them. I’m going to buy one
By Shai November 10, 2009 - 6:29 pm

I live in Michigan and have tried to get this plant. I know that this plant is very delicate and tempermental. If I have it shipped will it be okay and who is reputable to buy from in my area so that I can get it in one peice?
By Audrey February 25, 2010 - 11:18 am

I found a beautiful Purple Passion Plant, but it is covered with aphids. What is the best way to get rid of them?
By Diane March 25, 2010 - 1:07 pm

Thank you so much for this information on the purple velvet plant. My mom has several of these plants in her house. She pinched one off and put it in water and when it got lots of roots she gave it to me. This is the only plant that I have been able to keep alive for more then a month or so….always forgetting to water my plants so they die. But not this one!!! Well my mom passed away last week and I never knew the name of the plant so I looked it up. The name fits it perfect! My mom loved these because they seem to change color from purple to green when you move them around. Now with this information I can now continue what my mom has always done. Let them grow pinch put in water and let them grow some more. Them give the piches to friends, family and more!! Thank you so much. Diane
By Marissa April 13, 2010 - 2:15 pm

This plant is lovely and very low maintance The color is a nice pop to a container garden.

Tari: I purchase one at Home Depot, but there is here in Florida. Talk to a nursary, they might be able to special order a plant or help you to find one!
By CoCo April 23, 2010 - 3:26 pm

I just bought two of these at Lowe’s, they’re almost impossible to find here in Ky to. I do know that some of the nursery’s have them, but they’re really high there. These are one of my all time favorite plants.

I’ve never had a problem with aphids or spider mites, but I’ve read that you can mix a little bit of insecticidal soap in some water and spray it on them. As far as having one shipped, I would think that if it’s a reputable seller and they package it right it should be fine. All the places I’ve looked at online ship plants priority, so it wouldn’t be boxed up long.
By Stephanie May 6, 2010 - 6:32 pm

I purchased mine at Home Depot as well, in Virginia. It is very important to follow the watering instructions. I lost my first one, which was a gift, to root rot. I’m hoping to have better luck this time.
By Robin May 12, 2010 - 7:32 pm

I bought mine at Home Depot in Texas. I didn’t know I could pinch it off & root like that. Mine is growing into one long vine. Thanks for the help!
By Lea June 10, 2010 - 10:44 am

I bought one of these on ebay last year. I was getting ready to buy another one because mine is just one stem/vine. I did not know that I could pinch them off and let them root. Should I pinch a leaf off…or does it have to be the main stem?

To Diane…I’m sorry for the loss of your mother.
By Maria gonsalves July 3, 2010 - 4:44 pm

HI my name is maria gonsalves I adore the purple velvet plant I have called some nurseries to buy this beautiful plant if you can mail me the plant I would be so grateful
I love that beautiful velvet if you can send me please let me know I will be looking for your response thank you so very much
By Vivienne September 9, 2010 - 7:09 am

I had one of these passed from my late mother. Sadly it was in an unheated summer home one night too long and it died. I raised my plant under lights to keep the beautiful color and fertilized with half strength Miracle gro. It did beautifully and was a delight.
By Georgie in Sanford ME September 15, 2010 - 6:02 am

This is my fav, plant but its very hard to keep alive

I got mine from Shaws.
By Rose in ND October 6, 2010 - 3:46 pm

To those who say that the Purple Velvet is hard to find I agree. It took me close to 8 years to find one. i am also glad to know that I can do cuttings. The only plant I could find was a HUGE hanging basket. Just waiting for it to fall on someones head. (cross fingers) Good luck in finding one.
By Heather December 14, 2010 - 11:14 am

I got one of these plants justrecently. However i noticed that there are little flying bugs on it that stay close to the soil, could you please help me with this? What are these and how do i get rid of them. I believe the place i got them from has a problem because one of my other plants i bought from there has them too. Thanks,
By PlantLady May 8, 2011 - 8:19 pm

These are super easy to root in water and can be indefinitely grown in nothing but water. But, they won’t sprout from leaves, you have to have a piece of the stem. I try to cut sections that have at least two sets of leaves. The roots form at the leaf nodes where the leaves grow on the vines. Cut the bottom leaves off before putting them in water and make sure that the water covers the leaf node.
By marian.harris May 13, 2011 - 1:59 am

where can i buy the house plant gynura sarmentosa from i lost mine after having it for so long kind regards marian
By Mrs.Slone May 30, 2011 - 8:13 pm

@ marian you can buy them online at Amazon or e bay There may even be an online plant store where you can pick many types if there are different types I know nothing at all about these plants but at the first tow places I suggested you should find them at low prices. Hope you can find some good lick
By PlantLady June 15, 2011 - 2:28 pm

I have had some luck finding these plants at Lowe’s and WalMart on occasion. And, there is a nursery not far from here that has them almost all the time, of course they’re a lot higher there. I have have always just had the purple ones, but there is a variegated variety that has creamy white throughout the purple and green. These are more rare and from what I’ve heard a little harder to grow. But, like I said I don’t have any experience with the variegated variety.
By marian.harris June 21, 2011 - 7:16 am

where can i buy the plant from
By PlantLady June 21, 2011 - 4:50 pm

I have bought them at Lowe’s and WalMart. But you can find them online at Amazon or Ebay lot’s of the time.
By foleygirl59 December 19, 2011 - 10:10 am

December 19,2011
Please my beautiful purple passion is slowly dying. Thir health issue started @least 2 months, the leaves have a welting look and the coloring turns to pale yellowish green about average of 6 to 12 leaves at a time. I taken a cutting from the plant just in case, but the cuttings is still doing the same thing. Pease help, it took me meny years to find this plant
By arley January 9, 2012 - 2:22 pm

my puple velvet plant is dying =( its vines are drying up and the leaves are limp .
what can i do to revive what once was beautiful.
thanks .