Gynura aurantiaca 'Purple Passion' | Velvet Vine

Gynura aurantiaca ‘Purple Passion’ | Velvet Vine

Gynura aurantiaca ‘Purple Passion’ is an wonderfully unusual houseplant grown for its intensely fuzzy, purple foliage. Each deep green leaf is covered in fine violet hairs that give the entire plant a velvety, almost electric-purple appearance, especially when grown in bright light.

Also known as Velvet Vine or Purple Velvet Plant, it starts relatively upright before developing longer, trailing stems, making it an excellent choice for shelves, plant stands and hanging displays. It grows quickly under good conditions and can be pinched regularly to encourage a fuller, bushier plant.

Light: Bright, indirect light is ideal. Good light helps maintain the strongest purple coloration.

Water: Allow the upper layer of potting mix to begin drying before watering thoroughly. Avoid keeping the roots constantly wet.

Humidity: Average household humidity is generally suitable. Good airflow helps keep the fuzzy foliage healthy.

Soil: Use a loose, well-draining houseplant mix with plenty of aeration.

Temperature: Prefers warm indoor temperatures and protection from cold drafts.

Growth: Upright when young, becoming spreading and trailing with maturity. Pinch growing tips to encourage branching.

Flowers: Mature plants may produce small orange flowers. They have a famously unusual scent, so many growers simply remove the buds and grow the plant entirely for its spectacular foliage.

Difficulty: Easy.

Velvety, weird and unapologetically purple, ‘Purple Passion’ is one of those old-school houseplants that still looks completely unreal.