Purple Passion Plant Propagation: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you interested in purple passion plant propagation? If so, you’ll be delighted to know that propagating the beautiful purple passion plant is easier than you think. Do you want to expand your plant collection? Or maybe grow a unique houseplant with purple and green leaves? This step-by-step guide will show you how to propagate the purple passion plant successfully.

Grown for its stunning deep purple velvety leaves and delicate orange flowers, the purple passion plant (Gynura aurantiaca) is popular among tropical plant enthusiasts. While you can find the purple indoor plant in many nurseries and garden centers, propagating indoor plants is a rewarding and cost-effective alternative.

Purple passion plant propagation is a simple process. You need a healthy plant, a few basic tools, and some patience. By following these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to create new plants from cuttings and enjoy the beauty of this unique plant in various locations throughout your home or garden. 

What is the Purple Passion Plant?

The purple passion plant (Gynura aurantiaca) is a unique ornamental plant with fuzzy, deep purple leaves. This ornamental foliage plant adds a pop of metallic purple color to indoor spaces. This perennial plant grows up to 12 inches (20 cm) tall and produces small, yellow-orange flowers under the right conditions.

Other names for the stunning purple houseplant include purple velvet plant, purple passion vine, and royal velvet plant.

Purple Passion Houseplant Identification

Before diving into the propagation process, ensuring you have a genuine purple passion plant is crucial. The distinctive feature of this plant is its deep purple, fuzzy leaves with a velvety texture. The serrated leaves grow 4” (10 cm) long. Purple passion plant flowers are small, yellow-orange clusters of wiry petals. However, they emit an unpleasant smell.

Purple Passion Plant Propagation Steps

You need to follow a few simple steps to propagate a purple passion plant. Essential to the process is a healthy mother plant with strong stems, propagation tools, regular potting soil, and some patience. It’s also vital to ensure warm temperatures and humid conditions.

How to Propagate a Purple Passion Plant

1. Choose a healthy parent plant

First, select a mature plant with healthy stems and vibrant leaves. The best plants have a robust growth rate, colorful purple and green foliage, and are free from pests or diseases. Healthy parent plants contribute to the success of the propagation by passing on desirable traits to the new plants.

2. Gather propagation tools

Before propagating a purple plant, gather the necessary tools. You’ll need a pair of scissors or pruning shears with a sharp blade, a sterilized knife, fresh potting mix, small pots or containers, and rooting hormone. This is optional but recommended for quicker root development.

3. Take stem cuttings

Using the scissors or pruning shears, take purple passion plant cuttings. You should take 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) cuttings from the healthy parent plant. Ensure each cutting has at least two leaves and a node. The node is where leaves and roots develop. Make clean cuts on the stems to avoid injuring the plant tissue.

4. Remove lower leaves

Trim the lower leaves from each cutting, leaving only a few leaves at the top. This step helps reduce moisture loss and promotes energy focus on root development. If desired, dip the cut ends into rooting hormone before planting to encourage faster rooting.

5. Plant the cuttings

Fill small pots or containers with moist but well-draining soil. Plant each cutting in its pot, ensuring the node is buried in the houseplant soil. Water the soil mix thoroughly, and place the pots in a warm, bright place with indirect sunlight.

Mist the passion plant stem cuttings regularly to keep the soil moist. However, avoid overwatering, which causes soggy soil and may lead to root rot.

6. Provide adequate humidity

Cover the rooting pots with a clear plastic bag to increase the level of humidity. Getting the ideal humidity level enhances the chances of successful rooting. Misting the cuttings regularly also helps to keep a moist environment.

7. The right location to propagate purple passion plant cuttings

The right location is key to successful purple passion plant propagation. Choose a place with bright sunlight but protected from its intense rays. For example, behind a sheer curtain near a window is ideal. Getting adequate light is crucial as it drastically impacts the new plant’s growth and overall health.

A lack of sunlight can hinder growth, meaning the stem cuttings fail to take root. Therefore, ensure the cuttings are exposed to bright light during propagation.

8. Monitor progress

Monitor the cuttings for signs of growth. You can check if roots are taking hold by gently tugging at the stems. If there is some resistance, it means that roots have developed. This step usually takes four to six weeks. Wait until new leafy growth develops on the cutting before transplanting.

9. Repot the purple passion plant

Once roots have developed, you can transplant the new plants into larger pots with sufficient drainage holes. Fill a larger pot with a rich potting soil medium or soil mix for houseplants. Half-fill the pot and place the root ball in the center. Fill the remaining space with fresh soil and press down for support. 

Gradually acclimatize the growing rooted cuttings to their new environment by exposing them to increasing amounts of bright light.

As a rule of thumb, avoid using garden soil for your potted houseplants. A clumpy soil mix from the garden can contain pathogens, unwanted bugs, and diseases. 

Gynura Aurantiaca Plant Care Tips

Now that you’ve successfully propagated your purple passion plants, providing them with proper care for continued health and vibrancy is essential.

Here are some tips for purple passion plant care:

• Purple passion plant light needs: Purple passion plants thrive in bright, indirect light. The best light conditions are near a window with filtered sunlight. This ensures optimal growth and leaf coloration. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, where the light intensity can scorch the delicate foliage.
• G. aurantiaca watering frequency: Keep the soil constantly moist but not soggy. Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch. A well-draining potting mix helps prevent waterlogging and root rot. Thoroughly water the indoor potting mix until it comes out of the drainage holes in the base.
• G. aurantiaca humidity requirements: Purple passion plants prefer higher humidity levels. Growing them in a bright kitchen or bathroom is ideal. Otherwise, group tropical plants together or use a humidifier to keep humidity above 60 percent.
• G. aurantiaca temperature range: The ideal temperature range for royal velvet plants is between 60°F and 85°F (15-24°C). However, ensure temperatures remain stable with little fluctuations in day temperatures. Also, the plants don’t have a low-temperature tolerance.
• Pruning: Regular pruning helps maintain the plant’s shape and encourages bushier growth. Trim back leggy growth or unruly stems to promote a compact and full appearance.
• Regular feeding: Regular feeding is an important aspect of plant care. Apply a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer—half the recommended strength—once a month. A balanced fertilizer like a 10-10-10 is ideal. Regular fertilizer applications encourage healthy growth when growing a passion plant indoors. Avoid feeding the plant in winter.

Conclusion

Purple passion plant propagation can be a fulfilling experience. The Gynura aurantiaca appearance and leaf color are like no other among indoor purple plants. Propagating the plant from stem cuttings allows you to share the beauty of this unique houseplant with others or expand your collection.