Purple Waffle Plant! Hemigraphis alternata

How to grow hemigraphis alternata! This video goes over care for the waffle plants, and troubleshooting their issues. The waffle plants are overall easy to grow houseplants that don't demand much aside from watering and good light. The majority of issues people have with the hemigraphis is usually due to them being over-cared for by means of fertilizers or insufficient light and water. I get asked often why hemigraphis plants wilt, the majority of this video talks about the various reasons as to why the plants get wilty.
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[@cushden]

I have these. You're right - easy care plants and their purpleness (not a word) is so fabulous!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Purpleness should absolutely be a word though! 😅

[@whodunnit1462]

Super educational :) my little variegated purple waffle got all droopy after his lil pot dried up and i got so spooked haha i appreciate the care tips

[@salvadorNYC]

I put a small 4 in potted into my bioactive tropical blue tongue skink tank. I placed a glass hood to retain humidity and it often had condensation buildup. The plant grew massively very quickly and it sent out side shoots 2in long for easy propagation. For the summer I replaced the top with a screen and I barely get roots from nodes. All propagations had a wilted look, the high humidity cuttings rebounded very quickly. I struggled to root any into soil even after roots were bushy and long.

[@ChadGardenSinLA]

Thanks for the tip on submerged growth. I've only seen them submerged at LFS and assumed that's how they grow ... and wondered why they've been dying on me. I'm gonna pull out the remaining, live ones, and see if I can bring them up for some air.

[@roseladd6402]

💜 A new waffle plant alright! I love seeing new kinds I have not seen before. 💌Thanks for sharing!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

They are fun little plants!

[@Dane-ro5hm]

I recently got a purple passion plant and then saw your upload, and then yesterday I received a package including a variegated waffle plant! I feel like I'm requesting these videos lmao

[@101candlelight6]

I have this but my purple passion died, I was so sad and I'm thinking of getting another

[@TropicalPlantParty]

🤣😂😅 meant to be!

[@Dane-ro5hm]

Tropical Plant Party a Plant Predictor! lol I’m curious, do you own any species in the Cynanchum/Sarcostemma family??😁

[@yeahivekilledthat719]

I certainly do see the similarity to ajuga. Really thorough with the care tips. Thanks for providing a nice distraction from the world events.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Glad it's not just me! I don't know if the pictures I showed will do the similarities any justice.

[@kitlarkin388]

Hi Jeff thank you as always hope all is well and good still hanging in there have a great week end as see you again soon hope you are or shoulder is getting better.Keep on growing take care.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Same to you! Shoulder is much better than it was last weekend.

[@silver3595]

I couldnt find an informative guide in english on my new hemigraphis repanda plant, so I'm really hoping i can use some of this info for it. Great video, very concise and easy to understand!

[@debrabrown7227]

Hi Jeff, well I thought this was the ajuga your lookalike as used to have that in my garden. Thanks for such a informative video, I think these would look good outside. Thanks for sending your good wishes, hope you staying safe and doing what you have been asked to do during this difficult time. See you on your next one!🐾🇬🇧😁

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! I'm glad it's not just me, I've always thought they looked very similar. I hope all is well with you also! Stay safe and strong!

[@phiveflowers54]

Good note “not letting plants just sit in water.” Learned that the hard way. Lost some to root rot...I know better now😊

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Happens to us all, part of the plant learning. 😊😁

[@edie4771]

I just purchased this plant, the Exotica, cause it’s beautiful and watching this vid to make sure I’m taking good care of it.

[@tammysjungle7064]

Although I not a big fan of this plant, I love the color purple and your videos! Stay safe!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

🤣😊☺ thank you! Always so kind and uplifting! Hope you are staying safe and healthy!

[@ashlynp1121]

This was so helpful!! Thank you 💜 I WANT THE VARIEGATED ONE.... I’ve never seen one and omg, on the wishlist for sure.

[@Planthag]

I found one at Walmart. 😉

[@hausofcards2589]

I found mine at Walmart

[@kayleealston7200]

I just got one at Lowe’s !

[@hollyhasegawa6095]

Hi Jeff it has been awhile for me, life has been rather crazy as of late, I work in a grocery store and have experienced crazy first hand. It looks like you are staying safe and healthy and that is a good thing. I am trying to catch up on some of the videos I have missed. I have both of these plants, I love that they are a purple plant, my experience with the purple one is mine gets really tall, and I have trimmed it back and put the cuttings in water and then after they root up I put them back into the soil and it makes it a fuller plant. I always know when it needs water because it droops and then I water it and it perks right back up I call her my diva girl. Thanks so much Jeff, always good to see you, stay safe and healthy, sending hugs and love, see you soon, bye for now.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Aww! Thank you, Holly! Nice to "see" you again! I can't imagine how hectic your life is right now. Thank you for being part of the force keeping us all fed. I hope you stay safe and healthy!

[@taeviansworldofreptiles3828]

Brilliant video! I just got one of these I rescued from work. I definitely want it to grow out and climb as much as its gonna want to. I like the look of these climbing

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Me too! They naturalize an area very well when they are climbing.

[@lorellstoneman74]

Thanks again for a calm spot in the day.....Yes it does look something like the ajuga....popping up in my veggy garden area going wild, but a happy first flower in spring so I leave it for a while...All is well putting energy into yard work...and starting veggys....pleanty to do..Love your videos..

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! What veggies are you starting? Hope you are staying safe and healthy!

[@lorellstoneman74]

Tropical Plant Party I have 2 pots of cut and come again peas...4" tall today...using my older seeds up.. These peas are for salad to mix in....2 pots of lettuce...2" tall now...tomatoes...just getting real leaves....then my what would be compost .....I cut my onions from store leaving the core and root section...keep in water changing water twice a day....tops are cut back to use fresh and dry half...later they will get poked in potting soil each onion core makes from 1 to 3 bulbs...i gently pull them apart To plant. Started purple kohlrabi sprouted now.

[@moreflairbycrystalz2785]

Thank u! I have never found this much info.

[@shadesofidaho]

Ah Ha. I do live in high desert here with lower humidity. My little guy did great for about a year then started to fizzle out. I transplanted it to a community pot and set it right next to a grow light. Everything else in this pot is doing well but this guy is still struggling. I also placed it so it is easy to reach for watering and keeping a closer eye on it. Same with the fitonia which is also planted into that pot as both seem to have similar needs. So it is wait and see for now. It really is a gorgeous plant I do not have a dome or little glass house to use.

[@sandywall3632]

Chris Pyle Hi. My husband made me a little dome out of wood and plexiglass as I live in semi desert too. It is a foot tall and wide. I placed it on a pebble tray of Lukas beads and it does well. Always use weak fish emulsion fertilizer. It has fluorescent lighting overhead

[@shadesofidaho]

@@sandywall3632 Thanks Sandy I will see what I can do.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Sandy's got ya covered! Holding in the humidity makes a world of difference!

[@AngelinaPlantas]

Thanks for the information🙏

[@TropicalPlantParty]

No problem 😊

[@tracydycer7274]

Another wonderfully informative video, thank you. And also another under appreciated house plant. It's kinda funny, it's like your looking at my collection and doing informational videos about the ones I love but never hear about. I really appreciate your choices for these videos, it is refreshing to see plants that aren't necessarily aroids getting the spot light for a change. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE aroids but I also love waffle plants and daisies and everything in between. It's just really awesome to see someone else appreciate all the kinds of plants, not just the most popular ones, so once again thank you and stay well.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! I agree, very under appreciated plants! Oh I love me some aroids too, but for whatever reason they don't excite me as much to talk about.

[@tasgardener7923]

we call these red flame ivy here when I am. Mine is huge and looking good. they are such an underrated plants and so easy to grow. I find neglect suits them very well and mine doesn't get any care really other than water and every now and then a liquid feed and just happily does it's own thing. Mine was originally in a terrarium but wasn't doing great so I removed it and it really took off after that.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

That's a better name! 🤣😂 I agree, I feel like they are one where you just need to stand back and leave them be other than watering and rare fertilizing.

[@louisecolombi6630]

I’m glad you did a video on this plant because mine is not doing that well. I just realized I didn’t give it the right type of soil. Thant you for sharing

[@TropicalPlantParty]

No problem! Hope you are doing well and staying healthy!

[@louisecolombi6630]

Tropical Plant Party yes I started to work from home and we don’t go out unless absolutely necessary. So far so good.

[@mikeycityify]

If you decide to separate your purple waffle plant from the pot it came in with. Know this, the roots will be undoubtedly in shambles, horrendously so. However, if you do continue undoing the roots to separate each individual, and the plant goes into shock (which it most likely will). Dip the roots on water. Grab a water bottle and simply fill it to the neck and dip your plant in and leave it there for an uncertain amount of time. It won’t take long until it perks up again. Remove, and repot once it’s back to its old self.

[@tanya4858]

Thanks for the great video miss the long chatty video can’t wait for you to get back outside

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Me too! After tonight it is supposed to warm up so I'll be able to get back outdoors hopefully.

[@twistysunshine]

Thanks for sharing details on this guy! I've started getting interested after seeing em so sad at big box stores and was wondering what their care would be. I didn't know that companies lying about what's aquatic and what's not was a thing, but that makes sense. I've wanted to get into planted aquariums, so now I know to research a lil harder on what's sold at like PetCo Thanks for sharing

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hey twisty! Well it's not fully a lie, they can live submerged for a little while, so it's.. well no, it's a lie. Lol!

[@jwise3023]

Excellent video

[@cherylparks9780]

Mine have grown like 12-14 in height. I’m very confused with them. They are very dramatic when they want water I find. Great info.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

They are very dramatic! They will stretch for light and there many varieties, some are just bigger than others.

[@1DanielleLouise]

"very dramatic" is a perfect description and is what landed me here haha

[@Eryss_Official]

@@1DanielleLouise Same here lol!

[@ryanreynolds3142]

@@1DanielleLouise Exactly why I ended up here too! The plant literally went from standing upright and looking healthy to looking like a southern belle getting the vapors and collapsing on the floor, lmao.

[@MelBelleMusic]

I just snipped a little baby off that was growing some roots above the soil today; I planted it in some African violet/tropical soil mix, gave a good thorough water, and ITS DROOPING, LIFELESS AND SAD NOW (already)! :( Any help you could offer would be great, I loved your video and your personality and you seem like the right dude to ask! Thanks!

[@lynnwood1911]

My purple waffle plant is growing upwards I might try to prune them this way.

[@KassandraQuiseng]

I love this plant. It’s so easy to prop I have 3 whole pots full. I keep them in lower light than they need and the growth is very vertical. It reminds me a bit of a stretching succulent or a tall fittonia. When it thirsty it flops over completely like a fittonia.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Right on point! They really are a lot like fittonia!

[@bodeamir4484]

Pro trick : watch movies at Flixzone. Been using it for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@chaimariel6559]

@Bode Amir Definitely, have been using flixzone} for since december myself :)

[@wingingitsemiretiredlife2981]

Thanks Jeff glad for the distraction. Be well and keep on vlogging....bye bye :)

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Same to you!

[@vaniawhitfield6486]

I just bought one. Thankyou

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

I thought for a minute your pointer was a knitting needle. Which made me think of Absolutely Fabulous. Which makes me think I need to binge that show again. Also, Begonia maculata now available at Lowe's from Costa Farms. I didn't buy one but I thought of you when I saw it.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Ha! I've only seen a couple episodes but I was intrigued, wouldn't mind checking that out.

[@michaelmccarthy4077]

Tropical Plant Party the knitting needle episode is a bit on point right now. Edina, Saffy and Patsy get locked in the drawing room, the episode is called birth

[@nikolemotsinger2800]

Two purple plants in a row.. 🤔 Can we make it 3..4..5..??? I love purple!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

😅 me too!

[@buggydama]

Quick tip to people that lives near the coast is to spray water during hot days.

[@honesttraitorbear3527]

I live in low desert and mist at least once a day. I use pebble trays also

[@chrystalsabin4091]

Beautiful plants

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you!

[@ikillprettythingz7947]

Love how your watch matches the two plants. I almost grabbed these at Lowe's. I thought it was dead because of the wrinkly leaves. Now I Want them even more 😍😃

[@sandywall3632]

I have a ver large one in a dry climate. It has a dome. Flouresent lighting and is on pebble tray of Lyka beads. Once in a while it crashes from lack of water and comes back after drenching. Use weak fish emulsion

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Perfect!

[@kathymacomber5115]

Love your graphics

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you!

[@jacquithorson4311]

Wow! Excellent video! Very informative. You are great with providing detailed info :) There is not a lot of info out there on these plants.. I have a Snow White Waffle in an East facing window and what I noticed is that the second set of leaves leaves are not crinkled (have they reverted?) and the rich pinkish purple color present on the first set of leaves are not present in this second set, leaving me to wonder....

[@aggiehasselfield731]

I might try these again. Mine got crispy first time around. Considering using self wicking pot so it gets water as needed. Doing this for my ferns and zebra plant now. I have the purple ajuga in my garden. Love them 💜 I’d love to watch you put a palardium together 😃

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Good idea with the self watering cord! I'm sure this plant would love that!

[@nicolegilbert4950]

Cute rose bonbon!!!!😁

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Lol!

[@semmett22]

Umm.. Wow! 😂 Very informative, Gotta Watch it maybe 2-3 times for me to absorb and sort it out. I definitely relate to this man, especially the end 😂😂, when he’s like I’m still talking when I’m supposed to be ending this…. Lmao, hilarious!! But…. Can’t decide what I need for my “SNOW WHITE PURPLE WAFFLE Plant” That’s What the label says. So would I use a more normal potting soil or a succulent like soil or BOTH MIXED!?? I’m in Boston and I’m obviously not putting outside until the summer, so I use Full spectrum led lights, is that good or bad? Can you burn a plant with LED LIGHTS?? Any and all info is appreciated! Ty!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hey Sean! Full Spectrum LED is great, that's what I use also. Just have to watch the distance between the plant and bulbs. If the leaves are cupping, bleaching out/burning then give them some more distance. If the growth is elongated with a lot of distance between leaves on the stems then the plant is reaching and you can move it closer. They aren't that picky about the soil as long as it drains well. Standard potting mix is normally fine, but blending with a succulent mix will be a safe way to go to ensure good drainage. May have to water it more frequently, but it's better to have to water more often and not worry about rot than the other way around. Self-watering pots also work well with these guys. 😊

[@yalif180]

I just love your channel!!! Is very helpful, ever time that I’m looking for tips for my plans I found it here. Thank so much 💚

[@BluesPirateShip]

I got mine for 5 bucks at Walmart, they were great until they got mealy bugs, and I didn't know what to do except cut it back : /

[@symarax7238]

This plant is absolutely dramatic and I love it. They'll play dead. Fits the entire "The PH in this soil is to high, I believe I may die!" And theyll flop, like you've killed them. But have no fear, stick it in water for nutt chug and it shall pop rite back up like nothing happened at all.

[@shadesofidaho]

I LOVE Ajuga. Do not have any here ow. Hope to get some this spring.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

They are so cute!

[@meighanrose5883]

Mine dropped within 24 hours. I found out she was in two pots not including mine. So three different pots! I repotted her into a terracotta pot and out her under a grow light. I hope that helps.

[@sandyg8794]

Hi Jeff! I love my purple and snow white waffle plants! I do have an older purple waffle plant that has gotten quite tall, maybe 1'ish? It's pretty full of leaves, maybe a different variety? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ My other 2 are relatively new, the size of yours. I have found that they do not like to get too dry otherwise the wilt. They are so pretty though! I'd never thought about them looking similar to ajugas, but they do! I have the darker ajuga in a pot outside that does great and never really dies during the cold winters. It's one my favorite perennials. I need to watch for the variegated one because I like the pinks on them. This was another great, and fun video! I'm always excited when I see you've uploaded a new video. I LOVE watching and listening to you! Thank you so much for sharing this! Stay safe and healthy! BTW, I hope your shoulder is doing much better! I just saw a comment from Holly that hers get tall, too. I may just cut mine back, root it, and put it back in with the other one. Thanks Holly!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Thank you! Don't ya just love the ajugas!? I want to do a video on them but doubt I'll be able to since the nurseries are closed. I have a small patch, but I'd like to get more varieties.

[@stephenwilling7287]

I have a larger plant, but comoared to yours the leaves a small. Is this a problem? It is about 2ft from a window and gets morning sun. I rotate it 1-2 times a week and water when dry. The leaves are a dark green with a silvery sheen, and the underside is purple. But like I said the leaves are about 1/4th the size of yours. Is there a small leafed version?

[@L-xj2xs]

I've been growing these for a couple years and they dry out fast. They're in small pots and I cant remember what mixtures and percentages I used, but I have practically everything imaginable to mix special soils. I usually use a basic indoor potting mix and supplement it with extra perlite, charcoal, bark, etc... What mixture and percentages would you recommend? I'd like to get them potted up in a larger pot to get rid of all the smaller ones. Would you use a normal indoor potting mix and supplement it with some coco coir, perlite or anything else? Most cactus soils I've seen lately are so extremely heavy I wouldn't use them even for Cacti without adding perlite and other things to lighten them up.

[@user-ud9dq1eu7t]

Thanks 👍شكرا على المعلومة الصحيحة،🇩🇿🇩🇿♥️👌

[@PopleBackyardFarm]

Good info

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Glad it was helpful!

[@alannagrossman208]

I just bought one of these guys! It was on the brink of death, but is looking a lot better now that it has some water and is by the humidifier. I was thinking of putting it in a terrarium. What kind of plants would work well in a terrarium with it?

[@maahipatel1332]

Hey Jeff. So my sister left her waffle plant in my room since her new apartment does not have enough room currently, Her plant is really tall but not wide. The leaves are spread out a couple inches between each leaf stem. What should I do.

[@sunflower6434]

They like a lot of water because they are also kept inside a fish tank. So they don’t mind being submerged in water and the leaves flat out more. Well I just bought this plant from a pet store, yet you say they shouldn’t sell it as an aquatic plant, I put mine inside my fish tank, I’ll let you known how it goes and what happens to it.

[@deploribusunum3894]

Love it!

[@Esmie60]

My purple waffles new growth has smooth flat green leaves not the wavey waffle leaves it had before. What could it be?

[@maheeshaguruge1348]

My plant is so skinny, tall and leggy with very less leaves and that’s how I received it from a moving friend. I did prune the new growth and some areas have new branches growing after removing some leaves (from those nodes) but some nodes that I removed leaves of just simply dried up and didn’t put out a new branch. I wish KZbin would let me attache a picture 😣

[@rebeccaparis6470]

Please help me with my purple waffle plant. I've read they spread outward but mine is only growing upwards I have it clipped to a pole to keep it upwards. Is this normal?

[@_aamell_]

yeah they’re thirsty af 😂 mine are always drying out

[@judymckerrow6720]

Hope your shoulder is healing well, swiftly, stay safe💚🙃 I’m considering buying a Cattleya orchid. How do you recommend that I pot it up. Should I leave them soil less like yours, just hanging by a string or in a basket without anything to anchor them. Or in an orchid pot with orchid bark? I really would like to try these out, but I’m not going to go overboard buying these until I know if I can grow them successfully. Any tips or tricks would be most helpful. I have been watching your older videos on orchids and I did notice some of them, most of them are soilless, bark less? 💚🙃.

[@sheilabroad8192]

Judy McKerrow Check out Miss Orchid Girl or Orchid Diva. Videos. I’m an Orchid lover too but haven’t tried a Cattleya. Good luck.

[@judymckerrow6720]

Sheila Broad Thank you. I’ve been trying to do research on orchids in general and I THINK these are one of the easier ones to grow. Thanks again for the tips!💚🙃

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Hello! It depends on the cattleya, I agree, check out those channels! They'll will be much more helpful than I will. Depending on the type of cattleya I prefer to use a mix that will dry rather quickly. Sometimes I just lava for cattleya, or an orchid mix of bark, charcoal and perlite chunks.

[@hnhrse]

I'm fairly new to plants and picked up this beauty the other day, I've noticed the leaves got less crispy through the week and then got pretty crunchy again. I was wondering if they're supposed to be crunchy or if they're supposed to be softer like other leaves?

[@user-ih2dq5uy7r]

Hi I'm so curious as to what exactly the seeds look like! Please help!

[@hgchannel9108]

Nice

[@lalalajuice]

Yes but do they turn full purple in an aquarium or what?

[@Carnivore-Explosion]

i have the snow white one.

[@sunshinecarnivores1919]

Can these plants be a good carnivorous plant companion plant?

[@anavelazquez2794]

I just bought my snow white yesterday and it was fine. But this morning it was droopy. If anyone knows any tips, please comment.

[@nicolepasquale]

My friend now has had three purple waffle plant and each time they have gotten mealybugs and had killed the whole plant of even as she tried sprays. Any ideas on what to do about Millie bugs besides sprays!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Other than washes in the sink and sprays there isn't much that can be done other than beneficial insects like lacewings or mealy bug predators. Can also try diatomaceous earth powder. 🙂

[@Barbiegirl19581]

How in heck did I get some in my garden area and grass without planting any ? They just popped up from nowhere ;)

[@hgchannel9108]

👍

[@ruthaguirre1981]

Are worm castings ok

[@claireconover]

gorgeous plant... unfortunately, it keeps dying in my apartment.

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Oh no! Sorry to hear that! They can be finicky sometimes.

[@Dolphinflipinful]

Same here I kill every plant even bamboo an my beautiful butterfly(so the call n south..so for only petunias and the r new...im disabled vet and really want this as my hobby but I think flowers hate me..even the bonsai I've tried..I dead a trainer Iike u!!! Ty for videos wld love to see more ab how to bring a dying plant back. Like this plant wilted and the crumpled up! It's bad..oh barely had 3wks all(to hot) in side (GA humidity) in a full light window. I just need some beauty to lift my depressing house n mind. It gets side when u can't even do something as a disabled vet and the one u sorta can..dies all the time..ugh..thanks for vid very informative.

[@ajennifer93]

What type of liquid fertilizer do you use?

[@miacoldwell2836]

Mines wilting and has been for over a week no matter how much I water and I'm very very worried!!

[@TropicalPlantParty]

Is the soil dry when you're watering it? If it's moist and the plant is still wilty I'd try giving the soil a sniff and seeing if it is fowl just to help rule out root rot.

[@miacoldwell2836]

@@TropicalPlantParty thank you I'll check that out right away!

[@jamespunnavelikunnel6083]

Sir, is it hemigraphis exotica..? Alternata is somewhat wild..?

[@user-ry6fn3uw4j]

겨울 월동가능한가요 ?

[@charlesedwarddavisjr.6022]

unfortunately mine is actually growing thin, leggy,green, losing its color, and up😞😞

[@sunnyjozani8421]

I wonder if there's a blue waffle plant. ;)

[@ytbymz]

You must be an enfp like me