Purple Passion Plant

This is my first time caring for one of theses plants and it seems not to be a fussy plant so far. But how do I make it look pretty again, as it was damaged when I bought it and marked down in price, so I need to know how to prune it into shape again? Thanks.

Looks pretty good to me! I love them but can't have them...those furry leaves are cat hair magnets!

Just pinch out the growing tip and it will bush out. Don't let it bloom, it lives up to its nickname "stinky feet plant".

I have tried pinching the tips so have just today cut them down to only 4-5 leaflet per branch and am rooting the resulting cuttings in water now. We'll see, thanks.

I read about the stinky blooms so no worries. :)

Lilli--
Purple passion plants do best outside in bright light. They need all the humidity as well.

Inside--they tend to suffer. The color won't be as purple and the plant will get leggy.
Your plant DOES look pretty well. Give it the brightest light you can. Don't over water.

Cutting back might help--but, because the stems are fairly stiff, re-growing may take a long while.

I consider these plants not worth the time it takes (in the average home) to make them look good.

Also--rooting in water may not always be the best. Just stick your cuttings in fresh potting mix.
Sometimes--that works much better....Water rooting has it's own issues......like fungus and rot.

Gita

Thanks Gita,

I wish I had an ideal home to keep plants and can't afford lighting fixtures for them. I guess we learn from our mistakes. I still like this plant and hope to ask Santa for some lights to keep it pretty all year long, even in our cold snowy climate.Thanks for all the hints on this one. I don't care if it takes long to regrow, I love to see it happen in its own time. =]

Lilli--

If you have a lamp with a cool white light bulb in it--like the compact fluorescent
bulbs--the ones that are sort of twisted--just put your plant under the lamp.
a 60Watt one would do well. Keep it about 2' away from the plant.
Fluorescents are "cool" and will not emit any heat to speak of--which would
hurt your plant.

If you have no high lamps---go to a Goodwill store, or any other Thrift Shop
and buy one.

One thing to look out for is Mealy Bugs. This plant is the kind that they would go to.
If you DO see little, white fuzzy "thingies" near the leaf and stem joints--that's THEM!
Just dip a Q-Tip in alcohol and touch it to these "thingies"--and they will dissolve--
immediately. Check the plant often for more--as they love to hide in crevices and leaf/stem joints
out of sight. The new ones are no more than white specks of dust.....

Happy growing!! I'm happy to help you out any time.

Gita

"Stinky Feet" plant? lol... Does it really smell bad if it flowers? I'll have to sniff the blooms currently on mine when I get home... I had no idea this plant even flowered until a couple of months ago when mine did - and I didn't smell a thing. Could be 'cuz it's outside.

I've kinda nicknamed one of mine "Incredible Hulk" or "Frankenstein", because it gets monster-y looking in full summer sun here in Florida. The pretty purple fuzz becomes less pronounced, and the emerald green parts turn more yellow or avocado-y colored, and the pointed leaves get sharper and more hook-like.

I second the "plant cuttings right in potting mix" suggestion, rather than water-rooting. I started planting cuttings right in mix after doing a lot of reading about it here on DG - and I've had endless success with it on quite a few different types of plants...

Good luck with your new baby!

Hi, Lillibetha, and hi to all.

Purple Passion (Gynura aurantiaca) is one of my favorites. For years I could not find it in any store but finally got some cuttings right here on Dave's Garden. (Then--wouldn't you know it--Lowe's began to stock it along with other Exotic Angel plants.)

I keep Purple Passion in the brightest southern window in the house. It does great! Very purple and rewarding. I take cuttings almost constantly; these days, the cuttings are growing in water (works for me) for Christmas gifts.

If you let this plant dry out, it wilts. Don't let it go that far, tho'. You will learn to tell when it is fine and when it needs water just by a glance or by touching the leaves. Bottom watering works well. (Place the pot in an inch or two of water in a bowl--this will revive a wilted plant).

I let some of my Purple Passion plants flower just for the heck of it and have never noticed an odor. But after a week or so, I cut the blooms off after they are spent.

As soon as I can, I will upload a picture of the mom and all her kids--the cuttings--if anyone would like to see my Purple Passions.

Sincerely,
Timmy Jo (TJ)

This is a pleasant surprize to see the Purple passion plant again! It's been at least 59 or 60 years since I had one, one of my first plants when I lived in CA. I gave it to a neighbor and haven't seen another since. I, too, thought it quite pretty, even if a bit free-willed. LOL
tvksi

Another plant I haven't seen for ages in a store is Swedish Ivy.
I grow it--propagating it endlessly from tip cuttings. So easy!

I also have an OLD Angel Wing Begonia--propagated the same way--maybe
for some 25 years now.

Me either gitagal. I love them It's like the song, 'Where have all the flowers gone??Long time passing. Oh where have they gone...Oh where have they gone.
tvksi

Gitagal, would you consider a trade? I, too, have not seen Swedish ivy around for sale anymore and would love a piece. I haven't updated my haves and wants lately to include everything I have, so I'm sure I can part with something. Thanks.

Timmijo--

send me a D-mail
I don't think it is right to talk trades on a Post.
Yes! I can send you some.....
Gita

Here is a pic of a grouping of purple passion plants (I keep taking cuttings--compulsively) taken this morning as the sun rose in my south window overlooking the dining room table.