Purple Velvet Plant is an herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family and is native to Southeast Asia. Bright, indirect light with protection from the afternoon sun will result in the best foliage color. Soil should be kept moist with less frequent watering in winter, as overwatering may cause rot. This plant has weak stems and a sprawling growth habit: pinching back stems may help produce a more bushy growth and reduce legginess. Clusters of tiny orange-yellow flowers appear in the fall but may not appear in low-light conditions. They have an unpleasant smell and can be messy and so are often removed. It is noted for its unusual velvety purple leaves and stems. It is commonly grown as a houseplant and is best displayed in a hanging basket. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale. Root rot can develop form overwatering. The lack of adequate light can result in the leaves appearing green rather than purple.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.