Plant of the Week: Purple passion plant, velvet plant

Light: partial shade

Height: 1 to 2 feet

Spread: 2 to 4 feet

USDA Hardiness Zones: 10 to 12

Origin: Java

The purple passion plant (Gynura aurantiaca) is a great textured plant for the home.

This plant has irregularly lobed, ovate, green leaves with purple hairs that give it a velvety appearance. The underside of the leaves, which are also covered in fur, are a reddish-purple.

Purple passion plant has an irregular growth habit, with branches growing in multiple directions, and weaker stems often drooping from the weight of the velvet leaves. This growth habit makes it a nice plant for a hanging basket or simply letting it drape over a shelf.

The starburst-shaped flowers are light orange and noted for their unpleasant, rancid butter aroma — a smell that can be minimized simply by removing the flower buds.

In the home, place the purple passion plant in a bright room with filtered, indirect sunlight. Do not over-water; allow the soil to dry out between watering.

Touch the purple passion plant in the Dorothy M. Davis Showhouse as part of Harvest Blooms, now on display at Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.

— Barbara Arnold,

Franklin Park Conservatory