Gynura aurantiaca

Purple Passion Vine, Purple Velvet Plant, Royal Velvet Plant, Velvet Plant

Easy careTerrestrialNon-toxic30–60 cm

A tropical plant covered in soft purple hairs that give its deep green leaves a velvety sheen. Native to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi, it does best in bright indirect light and moderate humidity. The trailing stems work well in hanging displays, though the orange flowers have an unpleasant odour and are best removed.

Build a terrarium with this plant
Purple Passion Plant image

Photo by TANAKA Juuyoh (田中十洋)·CC BY 3.0

Care

Light

Bright indirect(preferred)Indirect light

Humidity

Medium (40–60%)(preferred)High (60–80%)

Temperature

10°C25°C40°C
16°C – 24°C

Soil

Well draining(preferred)Peat moss

Moisture

Moist(preferred)

Soil pH

6 – 7

Appearance

Growth habit

TrailingClimbing

Leaf shape

OvalToothed

Leaf texture

VelvetyFuzzy

Distribution

Propagation

Take 10–15 cm stem cuttings and root in moist peat/perlite mix. Roots form in 1–2 weeks with warmth and humidity. Cuttings can be taken year-round, but spring and summer tend to give the best results.