Purple Heart ( Tradescantia pallida ) and Wandering Jew ( Tradescantia zebrina ) are two popular plant in the horticulture and landscaping world . While they share the same genus , there are several key differences between these two plant that make them unique in their own ways .

Origin and Habitat : Purple Heart is native to North America , specifically the Gulf Coast region . It thrives in strong mood and is well - suited for growing in full sunshine . On the other handwriting , Wandering Jew is aboriginal to Mexico and Central America . It prefers umbrageous conditions and is often find growing under the canopy of tree in its lifelike habitat .

coming into court : Purple Heart is known for its salient purple leaf , which cave in the flora its name . The leaves are long and fishgig - shaped , with a velvety grain . The stem are also purple and can shack or spread , making it an excellent choice for groundcover or hanging basket . In contrast , Wandering Jew has elongate leaves that are fleeceable with purple stripes on the top airfoil . The undersides of the leaf are a deep purple color . The stem turn of Wandering Jew are also purple , but they tend to be more delicate and fragile compared to Purple Heart .

Growth Habit and Care : Purple Heart is a vigorous grower and can quickly fill in an arena with its spread out drug abuse . It is consider a low - maintenance flora and is comparatively drouth - large-minded . Purple Heart can withstand casual periods of dry soil , making it a suited pick for xeriscaping or areas with minimum irrigation . unconstipated pruning is recommended to keep the flora tidy and prevent it from becoming encroaching .

Wandering Jew , on the other bridge player , has a more thickset growth habit and tends to stay more contained . It is often grown as a houseplant but can also be used in outdoor containers or as a ground cover in shaded areas . Wandering Jew choose consistently moist soil and will benefit from even lacrimation . It is less tolerant of drouth compare to Purple Heart and may show foretoken of stress if not adequately watered .

Uses in Landscaping : Both Purple Heart and Wandering Jew are various industrial plant that can be used in various landscape gardening applications . Purple Heart ’s vibrant royal foliage adds a pop of gloss to garden beds , borders , and rock gardens . It also works well as a groundcover , cascade down down slopes or disgorge over walls . Wandering Jew , with its unique foliage formula , is often used in hanging baskets or as a trailing plant life in containers . Its ability to stick out shade makes it a great choice for areas that receive strain light or partial shade .

Personal experience : I have had the pleasure of uprise both Purple Heart and Wandering Jew in my garden , and each has bring its own charm to the landscape . Purple Heart , with its rapid ontogeny and striking purple foliage , quickly became a preferred ground cover in my garden . It added a vivacious fusillade of colour and filled in empty distance , creating a lush and inviting standard atmosphere .

Wandering Jew , on the other hand , flourish in the shaded surface area of my garden where other plants struggled . Its ticklish leaves and trailing wont add an constituent of blurriness and elegance to hanging baskets and containers . The contrasting unripened and purple foliage made it a visually interesting plant that never go bad to enamor the centre .

While Purple Heart and Wandering Jew belong to the same genus , they have distinct difference in footing of pedigree , habitat , appearance , growth wont , and tutelage requirements . Understanding these differences can assist gardeners and landscape gardener make informed choice when take plants for their specific need and preferences .

Caroline Bates