How to Grow and Care for a Purple Waffle Plant

The purple waffle plant, known scientifically as Hemigraphis alternata, is a houseplant valued for its unique foliage. Its common name comes from its deeply puckered leaves that resemble a waffle’s texture. The tops of the leaves are a metallic green, while the undersides display a vibrant purple or reddish hue, creating a two-tone effect.

Native to the tropical regions of Java, this plant grows as a low, spreading ground cover. As an indoor plant, its compact and trailing nature makes it suitable for desks, shelves, or hanging baskets. The coloration and textured appearance make it a popular choice for adding distinctive foliage to a home.

Purple Waffle Plant Care

To maintain its coloring, the purple waffle plant requires bright, indirect light. An ideal location is near an east or north-facing window, or set back from a sunnier window where the light is filtered. Direct sunlight is too intense and can scorch the leaves or cause their deep purple tones to fade. Insufficient light will also cause the colors to fade.

Consistent moisture is important for this plant. The soil should be kept evenly moist but never waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. A good practice is to water thoroughly when the top inch of the soil feels dry. This plant is known for wilting dramatically when thirsty, but it revives quickly after watering.

Originating from a tropical environment, this plant thrives in high humidity. While average household humidity may suffice, it prefers levels around 50% or higher. If your home is dry, especially during winter, you can increase humidity by misting the leaves, placing the pot on a tray of pebbles and water, or using a humidifier.

A well-draining, all-purpose potting mix is suitable for the purple waffle plant, and amending the mix with perlite can improve drainage. During the spring and summer growing season, feed the plant with a balanced indoor plant fertilizer diluted to half-strength once a month. Fertilizing is not necessary during the fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Propagating a Purple Waffle Plant

Multiplying your purple waffle plant is effectively done through stem cuttings, a process that can be done in either water or soil. The best time to take cuttings is during the spring or summer when the plant is in an active growth phase.

Select a healthy stem and, using clean scissors, cut a 4- to 6-inch section just below a node, which is a small bump on the stem where leaves emerge. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving only two or three leaves at the top. This prevents the lower leaves from rotting and directs the cutting’s energy toward root development.

For water propagation, place the cut end of the stem into a jar of water, making sure at least one node is submerged and no leaves are touching the water. Set the jar in a location with bright, indirect light and change the water every few days. Roots should appear within a few weeks, and once they are about an inch long, the cutting can be planted in potting soil.

If you choose to root directly in soil, insert the cut end of the stem into a pot filled with a moist, well-draining potting mix. Ensure at least one node is buried beneath the surface. Keep the soil consistently moist, and check for root growth after a few weeks by gently tugging on the cutting; if you feel resistance, roots have formed.

Solving Common Purple Waffle Plant Problems

One of the most frequent sights for an owner is a drooping or wilting plant. This display is almost always a sign of thirst. The plant’s leaves will go completely limp when the soil is too dry, but providing a thorough watering will cause it to perk back up.

If you notice the edges of the leaves turning brown and crispy, the cause is a lack of humidity in the air. Since this is a tropical plant, it is accustomed to a moist atmosphere. Increasing the ambient moisture around the plant will resolve this issue.

The purple color of the leaves may begin to fade if the plant’s lighting conditions are not right. This loss of color can indicate that the plant is receiving either too much direct sunlight or not enough light overall. Moving the plant to a spot with bright, indirect light will help restore its coloring.

Purple Waffle Plant Toxicity

For households with pets and small children, plant safety is a primary concern. The purple waffle plant is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs, and humans. The ASPCA states Hemigraphis alternata does not contain toxic principles harmful if ingested.

This makes the purple waffle plant a safe choice for pet owners and families. While it is not intended for consumption, accidental ingestion should not cause poisoning. You can place this plant in accessible areas of your home without worry.