Despite having more room in my new home, I have less space for plants. Or rather, I have less quality space for plants. For one thing, our previous home had two big windows in front of the house facing southeast, which is a wonderful location for a variety of plants. These two windows extended from the floor to the ceiling, so you can well imagine all the plant possibilities they had to offer (and that I put to good use). I was even able to place plants on the floor, if I wanted to, and they were still able receive sufficient light. It sure beat having windows that are so high up off the floor that you need to find appropriate stands or furniture to place plants on, so they could be lifted up to receive some light.

My current home has only one big window from floor to ceiling that faces northeast, which is not the most ideal spot, and certainly not a good location for the vast majority of plants that I like to grow. The kitchen, which has windows all around and faces southeast, can certainly accommodate a wonderful variety of plants that require bright to direct light, but it’s not that big a space and there are only so many plants I can squeeze in without having to move out the kitchen table, chairs and family members. The remaining windows around the house are a few feet off the ground, and most of them also face northeast. Basically, the spots in my home available to plants – for lack of a better word – suck.

Yup, it’s sad but true; my new home is bigger but my plant spaces are smaller and inferior. And because of that, I got rid of a lot of my plants way before we moved. I was not in the mood to transport dozens of plants to a home that couldn’t accommodate them properly; a home that was three hours away from our old one. It was sad to give up so many of my cherished houseplants, but there didn’t seem to be much choice at the time. And now, five months after the fact, I find myself wandering around greenhouses and houseplant sections in stores yearning for new plants. Because now that we’re fully settled in our new home, I’ve been trying to come up with ideas on how to maximize the space in our home to accommodate an assortment of plants without cluttering rooms. Because a home without quality houseplant spots is just not a happy home. At least for me.

So, because of the lack of proper plant space, I have not bought new plants since my move here, save for an amaryllis bulb that followed me home. And although I’ve been patient till now, primarily because I’ve been so busy with other priorities around the house, it’s getting too difficult to resist new plant purchases, especially this time of year when all the colourful holiday plants invade the stores. But it’s not just that. Lately I’ve been noticing new plants that I’ve never seen before and old plants that I haven’t seen in the stores for the longest time, many of which I’d like to try my hand at again. What’s a girl to do with all this temptation? On one hand, I think “What the heck! Buy the plant and deal with it when you get home” But on the other hand, I tell myself “Don’t do it! You don’t have a spot for this plant and it will just fade away”

Ah, decisions, decisions...

Anyway, while I’m trying to work out my dilemma, below is some care info about a lovely plant that – you got it – I don’t have a good spot for. Lucky for me, I haven’t seen it in the stores for awhile, so there’s no temptation where this cutie is concerned.


Caring For A Gynura Aurantiaca

Also known as ‘purple passion plant’, Gynura aurantiaca is a trailing plant that grows quickly and requires very little care to keep it thriving. This lovely houseplant has a unique appearance with its velvety-looking foliage that is covered with fuzzy purple hair.

In order to maintain the intense purple colouring, Gynura aurantiaca needs to receive ample light. When grown in a poorly-lit location, the plant becomes leggy and the leaves revert to a greenish shade that is not as attractive. Place your plant in a location where it will receive very bright light. Some direct sunlight is beneficial, especially during the winter.

Use a fast-draining, airy soil and keep it evenly moist during the spring and summer seasons when the plant is actively growing. Reduce watering during the fall and winter, and allow the soil to dry slightly. Gynura aurantiaca is an ideal candidate for the hydroculture system. Just rinse the roots free of soil and pot the plant up in clay pellets. This beautiful plant can also be grown directly in water; make sure to change the water often (once a week is ideal) to provide sufficient air for the roots.

Average household temperatures are fine, although Gynura aurantiaca does prefer a cooler location during the winter that is between 12°C – 14°C (53°F – 57°F). If you are unable to provide this, don’t worry; the plant with do fine without it. Feed every 3 – 4 weeks during the spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer.

Gynura aurantiaca does not make a big fuss about dry air but it does grow better in higher levels of humidity. If the air is too dry, the tips and margins of the leaves will turn brown and crispy, and the plant will be more susceptible to spider mite infestations. Increase humidity if possible when it’s too low.

This is a very easy plant to grow indoors but unfortunately it does not look good for very long. After a couple of years, Gynura aurantiaca will begin to look ragged, so you may want to start a new plant from stem cuttings, which root very easily. Also, pinch out the tips regularly to keep the plant bushy and attractive.



That’s all there is to this pretty trailing plant. It makes a wonderful houseplant, and as long as you start a new one now and again, you can continue to have a pretty specimen for years to come. Just make sure to place your Gynura aurantiaca where it will receive plenty of light, otherwise that gorgeous purple shade that gives this plant its unique appearance will be lost.

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