Purple Waffle Plant Care: A Helpful Guide For This Plant With Green and Purple Leaves
Purple waffle plant care involves replicating the tropical conditions of its native habitat. Fortunately, you don’t have to turn your home into a tropical rainforest. Caring for a purple waffle plant involves plenty of filtered light, moist, well-drained potting soil, and regular household humidity.
The purple waffle plant is undoubtedly an excellent choice, thanks to its stunning green and purple foliage.
🪴 Table of Contents
The purple waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata or Strobilanthes alternata) is a unique and captivating addition to any indoor garden. With its vibrant, rich purple-tinted foliage and distinctive waffle-like texture, this plant is popular among indoor plant enthusiasts. However, optimal purple waffle plant care is essential to ensure its well-being and stunning appearance.
Proper care and plant maintenance are crucial for the health and longevity of the purple waffle plant. Don’t let its vibrant appearance fool you—this plant can be sensitive to certain conditions.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a beginner, this helpful guide will provide the necessary information to keep your purple waffle plant thriving and looking its best.
Want even more options? Here’s a curated guide to the best purple houseplants plus care tips for each—so your collection thrives, not just survives.
What is the Purple Waffle Plant (Strobilanthes alternata)?
The purple waffle plant (Strobilanthes alternata) is a popular houseplant with purple and green leaves and white flowers. The plant’s identifying characteristics are its striking foliage with dark purple shades. Its leaves have a distinct waffle-like texture and colorful appearance, adding an element of visual interest to indoor spaces.
Other names for the purple houseplant variety include the metal leaf plant, red ivy plant, red flame ivy, and cemetery plant.
Looking for more bold, colorful foliage? Check out my full list of purple houseplants that are easy to grow and packed with personality.
Understanding Purple Waffle Plant Care
Before we dive into the details of purple waffle plant care, let’s take a moment to understand this fascinating species. Originating from tropical Southeast Asian regions, the plant is well-suited for indoor environments. Typical household temperature and humidity range is ideal for its growth.
Therefore, it’s an excellent choice if you want to add a splash of exotic beauty to your home.
Purple Waffle Plant Care Guide
Light and Location
The first care consideration for your purple houseplant is ample sunlight. The plant thrives in bright light, protected from direct sunlight. Indirect sunlight ensures leaf vibrancy, allowing the plant to get energy from sunlight. The best location is near a north or east-facing window. This allows the plant to get ample sunlight without risking leaf scorch.
Insufficient light can lead to leggy growth and a loss of the vibrant purple color that makes these plants appealing. You can also use artificial lights to boost indoor lighting conditions.
What if your purple plant starts to lose its characteristic hue or develops elongated stems? This is a classic sign it’s not receiving ample light. On the other hand, too much sunlight can scorch the purple foliage, causing irreversible damage.
In such cases, moving the plant to a bright location where it gets indirect light should resolve the issue. If you suspect leaf scorch, move the plant to a more shaded spot or use sheer curtains to filter the sunlight.
Top care tip: Protect the rich purple-tinted foliage from direct sunlight
Soil and potting care tips
Purple waffle plant soil composition is crucial to its care. Tropical houseplants prefer well-draining soil. It should retain some moisture, and you avoid soggy soil. Moist soil ensures the roots are constantly hydrated. Choose an all-purpose potting mix and amend it with perlite to get the right mix.
To ensure your purple plant doesn’t sit in wet soil, ensure the container’s base has drainage holes. This allows excess water to drain, preventing it from accumulating at the roots. Remember—excessive soil moisture can lead to root rot.
Advice on repotting
It’s necessary to repot your purple waffle plant every four or five years. The best time to repot it is during the growing season—spring or early summer. The tropical plant is a slow grower, so it doesn’t require frequent repotting. Choose a pot one or two sizes bigger than its current one.
Here are some waffle plant care tips when repotting:
- Always use fresh potting soil when repotting
- Remove soil from the roots check for root rot, and trim mushy roots as required
- Roots poking through drainage holes is a sign that you need to repot the plant
- Use dry soil to repot it and thoroughly water the newly potted plant until water drains from the bottom
- Place the plant in a location where it gets abundant sunlight but is protected from direct rays
- Ensure the entire root ball is covered by fresh soil
Watering Routine
It’s time to water your beautiful purple house plant when the top layer of soil is dry. Tropical houseplants prefer regular watering but hate soggy soil. Therefore, poke your finger an inch (2.5 cm) into the potting mix to check for dry soil. If you sense soil moisture, hold off watering.
The best watering recommendation is to water thoroughly, ensuring that excess water drains away. It’s essential to strike a balance—allow the soil to dry partially, but don’t let it become waterlogged. Too much water causes root to rot. On the other hand, a lack of water results in dry, stressed plants.
During the growing season—spring and summer—your purple tropical plant may require more frequent watering. In contrast, reduce the frequency during the dormant period—fall and winter. Pay attention to the plant’s response to your watering routine. If the leaves start to droop, wilt, or curl, it might be a sign of overwatering or underwatering.
Here are a few purple plant care tips regarding watering:
- Use distilled water at room temperature to avoid harsh chemicals in the potting mix
- A spray of water on the leaves can help provide occasional humidity
- Consistent watering is recommended to keep the soil moist, but only if the top layer is dry
Humidity and Temperature
Purple waffle plants thrive in warm temperatures and humid conditions. First, it’s vital to maintain a consistent temperature between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Second, ensure a humidity range of 50% to 60%. If you need additional humidity, place the potted plant on a pebble tray with water or near a humidifier.
Replicating the tropical conditions of their native habitat is crucial for the well-being of exotic houseplants.
Here are some care tips if you have a purple waffle plants at home:
- Protect tropical houseplants from drafts and sudden temperature fluctuations
- Don’t place them near a drafty window or heating vent
- Mist the leaves to provide occasional humidity
- Group tropical plants to increase ambient humidity levels naturally
Purple Waffle Plant Propagation
Propagating purple waffle plants is simple. Take stem cuttings with one or two nodes, remove lower leaves, and place them in moist soil. Maintain high humidity, and roots should develop in a few weeks. Once roots are established for a thriving, propagated plant, transplant into a new pot.
On the other hand, you can place the stem cuttings in water to take root. Then, transfer the rooted cuttings to a small pot filled with well-draining, moist soil.
Common Diseases Affecting Purple Waffle Plant
Purple tropical houseplants face issues like root rot due to overwatering, bacterial diseases, or fungal infections. Here are ways to spot signs of common diseases affecting houseplants:
Root rot
- Wilting, despite soil moisture
- Yellowing leaves, starting from the bottom
- A foul odor emanating from the soil
- Dark, mushy roots that easily pull away
Bacterial diseases
- Water-soaked lesions on leaves
- Rapid wilting or collapse
- Yellow or brown streaks on stems
Fungal infections
- Powdery white or fuzzy growth on leaves
- Brown or black spots on leaves
- Moldy smell
- Distorted or discolored foliage
Preventative measures include well-draining soil, proper watering, and good air circulation to ensure the health of your vibrant purple beauties.
If you’re a pet parent, safety matters. While the ASPCA says that waffle plants are generally pet-safe, some cats still react. Here’s what happened when a cat chewed on a snake plant—and what to watch for with any houseplant.
Purple Waffle Plant FAQs
🪴 FAQ: Purple Waffle Plant Care
Is the purple waffle plant easy to care for?
Yes—it’s low-maintenance and great for beginners. Keep it warm, moist, and in indirect light for best results.
How much light does a purple waffle plant need?
Bright, indirect light. Too little causes fading; too much sun scorches leaves. Aim for filtered daylight near a window.
Why are my purple waffle plant’s leaves turning green or dull?
That’s often light-related. If it’s not vibrant purple, move it to a brighter spot out of direct sun.
How often should I water a purple waffle plant?
Water when the top inch of soil is dry. They like consistent moisture—but never soggy soil.
What kind of soil is best for a purple waffle plant?
Use a well-draining mix. Potting soil with added perlite or coco coir works great to hold moisture without becoming heavy.
Does the purple waffle plant need humidity?
Yep! Boost humidity to 50–70%. Use a tray of water, mist it, or group it with other plants for better air moisture.
Can I propagate a purple waffle plant?
Totally. Take stem cuttings with at least one node and root them in water or moist soil. Super easy and fun.
Is the purple waffle plant toxic to pets?
Good news—no. It’s non-toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA. Still, don’t let them nibble too much.
What pests or diseases affect waffle plants?
Keep an eye out for spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies. Overwatering may lead to root rot. Regular leaf checks help.
How big does a purple waffle plant get indoors?
Usually around 6–12 inches tall and wide. It’s compact—perfect for desks, shelves, or hanging baskets.
Waffle Plant Care Doesn’t Have to Be Complicated
Purple waffle plant care is a rewarding journey if you want to add a touch of exotic beauty to your indoor spaces. By understanding the unique needs of the purple waffle plant, you can ensure that your plant thrives, displaying its beautiful foliage to its fullest potential.
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