Unidentified Tropical Houseplant with Purple Undersides: Seeking Local Expertise

Unidentified Tropical Houseplant with Purple Undersides: Seeking Local Expertise

A gardener bought a plant at a greenhouse that was misidentified. It had dark green leaves with dark purple undersides and red veins, tiny white flowers in bundles that last a day, thick shrub-like stems, shade-tolerant, moderate moisture.

Plant in question

First Expert Guesses

The expert guessed Plectranthus ciliatus (purple/black Swedish ivy) or Maranta leuconeura (prayer plant), but noted the plant looked unhealthy, possibly from improper watering. They provided watering-by-weight instructions.

Follow-Up

The gardener said it wasn't either, watered daily (wilts otherwise), in Colorado with warm dry weather. Leaves appear almost black from a distance, dark green on top, dark purple underneath; dead leaves lighten to lighter purple. Stems are thick, brown, sturdy with purple hints and fuzz. Flowers are pencil-eraser size.

When first got it

Expert Advice

The expert reiterated watering by weight, using a saucer, and recommended taking the plant to a knowledgeable Colorado garden center for identification.