A General Description of Purple Waffle Plant
The Purple Waffle Plant, whose botanical name is Hemigraphis alternata 'Exotica', is a type of tropical perennial herb from Asia.

The genus name Hemigraphis comes from the Greek words hemi, which means half, and graphis, which means brush—which makes sense since the Purple Waffle Plant, growing to a max height of about 8", is about 1/2 the size of a "brush" type plant when fully grown.

It's a prostrate plant, which means that as it grows outward it will develop horizontal shoots that will likely root themselves into the ground and contribute to its growth. Because of its style of growth, it's easily used as a beautiful and effective ground cover in USDA zones 10-11 where the temperatures stay above 55°F throughout the year. It also makes a wonderful and beautiful houseplant, patio plant, or outdoor annual. Many people have been known to use it in hanging baskets as its horizontal shoots can hang out the sides of the basket and grow to lengths of several feet.

Purple Waffle Plant likely gets its name from, and can definitely be identified by its vibrant metallic, rippled foliage that's silvery gray and green on the top and purple on the bottom. Its leaf color and sheen are dependent on the amount of light that it receives. Too much direct light and its leaves may burn, bleach, or at least lose their metallic sheen. Too little light and Purple Waffle might not be so purple after all. In addition to its awesome leaves, it will develop lovely, small, five-lobed, bell-shaped white flowers throughout the summer months and often longer if conditions are ideal.

Purple Waffle is quite functional as a houseplant because of its excellent air purifying capabilities and the fact that it grows slower than most plants—meaning less pruning and trimming. It's also not too picky of a plant in terms of watering, just try to keep things kind of moist and you should be good to go. Remember, you can easily modify your soil to help it retain water for longer periods of time by using water-absorbing crystals (such as vermiculite) and mixing them into your potting medium, or by simply purchasing low-porosity potting soil from a reputable supply center.

The History of Purple Waffle Plant
The Hemigraphis alternata 'Exotica' is a member of the family of plants known as Acanthaceae. Native to Java (Indonesia) where it is used as a natural medicine for dysentery, the Red Flame Ivy (another common name of Purple Waffle Plant) has gained its modern level of distribution and popularity primarily through its use as an ornamental plant. It often thrives outdoors in tropical climates, and has actually been listed as an environmental weed in parts of tropical Australia.

The name alternata means alternating, and was likely chosen for this species due to its leaves which are one color on the top and another color on the bottom.

Toxicity and Risks of Purple Waffle Plant
Purple Waffle Plant is not known to be toxic to people or pets.

Ships to the continental United States only.
No shipping to PR.

PACKAGE
1 x Starter Plant