Stephen Albert
Hemisgraphis, Purple Waffle Plant, is an interesting trailing plant with shimmering gray leaves that are puckered, with burgundy-colored undersides.
Hempgraphis is grown mainly for its colorful leaves. The leaves are heart-shaped with scalloped edges. A spike of small white flowers enclosed by large bracts appears in summer.
Hemisgraphis thrives in filtered light at average room temperatures. It is a good choice for a hanging basket.
Hemigraphis is a genus of more than 60 species of tropical plants with trailing branches. Hempgraphis is native to woodland margins in tropical Asia.
Get to know Hemigraphis
- Plant type: Tropical trailing perennial
- Growing Zones and range: 10-11
- Hardiness: 65° to 80°F (18°-27°C) year-round
- Height and width: Trailing to 24 inches (61cm)
- Foliage: Leaves on arching or trailing stems are oblong or heart-shaped, about 3 inches (7cm) long and 2 inches (5cm) wide; leaves are deeply puckered or waffled; metallic gray-green or purplish-green on top, dark red underneath.
- Flowers: Small tubular 5-lobed usually white flowers are inconspicuous
- Bloom time: Spring to summer
- Uses: Indoor hanging basket
- Common name: Purple waffle plant
- Botanical name: Hemigraphis alternata
- Family: Acanthaceae
- Origin: Tropical Asia
Where to plant Hemigraphis
- Grow Hemigraphis in filtered light
- Plant Hemigraphis in standard indoor potting soil.
How to water and feed Hemigraphis
- Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
- Mist Hemigraphis daily; keep humidity at 45 to 60 percent.
- Fertilize with an all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks but do not fertilize in winter.
Hemigraphis care
- Pinch off the growing tips to promote a bushy shape.
- If the plant becomes leggy, it may help to prune it back by half in late winter.
- Let the plant rest for a short period in winter; reduce watering, keeping the soil barely moist; withhold fertilizer during the rest period.
- Repot every spring.
Growing Hemigraphis as a houseplant
- Hemigraphis thrives in bright light; it can also be grown under fluorescent light.
- The stems can become spindly if the light level is too low.
- High humidity and an average to warm temperature year-round are needed.
- The potting mix can be allowed to dry slightly between thorough waterings.
- Fertilizer should be applied monthly during spring and summer.
Hemigraphis pests and diseases
- Hemigraphis is rarely bothered by pests.
Hemigraphis propagation
- Propagate Hemigraphis by cuttings
Hemigraphis varieties to grow
- H. alternata has ivylike, heart-shaped 3-inch leaves, gray-green above with wine red undersides.
- H. ‘Exotica’ puts forth elongated oval leaves that are healthy puckered, giving the foliage a “waffled” look. Leaves are purplish-green above, magenta underneath.
