Tradescantia pallida is a species of Commelinaceae ‘Spiderwort’ family. This family contains about 700 known species in 41 genera. Spiderwort is a genus of New World plants, commonly known as Wandering Jew (this name also shared with related species Tradescantia fluminensis and  Tradescantia zebrina). Some authorities still to refer to species as Setcreasea purpurea or Setcreasea pallida. The genus name comes from John Tradescant, gardener to the Earl of Salisbury. The species name pallida refers to the pale flowers of some species.

Purple Heart is native to eastern Mexico. It is an evergreen, perennial, groundcover plant of scrambling stature. The plant has elongated, pointed leaves and small three-petaled pale pink flowers. The leaves are about 2-3 cm wide and 8-12 cm long. The stems and upper surfaces of the leaves are violet purple. Stems will trail to 50 cm or more.

Tradescantia pallida is a tender perennial. In the garden, it is easily grown in rich, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best purple leaf color occurs in full sun. Plants have good drought tolerance. It can thrive in a wide range of soil conditions. It blooms constantly during warm weather, but the flowers are open only in the morning. Plants are not frost resistant, top-killed by moderate frosts, but will often sprout back from roots.

Flower stems of Purple Heart should be removed immediately after bloom. Pinch back stems as needed to maintain plant shape and to stimulate new growth. This plant is easily propagated by cuttings. Juices from the leaves and stems may cause skin redness and irritation in some people.

Use in Landscape: Tradescantia pallida has both true purple foliage and a sprawling habit that lends itself to use as a groundcover. It is also a popular, traditional house plant, excellent in containers. It is used as a bedding plant in temperate regions. When used as groundcover or edging, provides color and contrast to other plants. Downward trailing stems are ideal for hanging baskets, rock gardens, borders fronts and wall plantings.

Purple Heart also makes a good groundcover for difficult dry areas under eaves and awnings. It combines beautifully with fine-textured yellow-green asparagus fern for a low-maintenance urn or balcony planting. It pairs nicely with purple flowered plants. Pairing analogous colors (that are close together on the color) wheel gives a harmonious and subtle effect. Some good combinations include Tradescantia pallida with Ruellia brittonia, Scaevola aemula and purple-flowered lantana Lantana montevidensis.

As a houseplant, Purple Heart has been judged exceptionally effective at improving indoor air quality by filtering out volatile organic compounds, a class of common pollutants and respiratory irritants, via a process known as phytoremediation.