Why are the leaves losing their purple color?

The plant is likely not receiving enough bright, indirect light.

How often should I water it?

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Plant guide

Bear Paw.

Gynura aurantiaca

Pronounced jy-NOO-ruh aw-ran-tee-AH-kuh

Also known as Velvetplant, purple velvetplant, purple-passionvine, royal velvetplant, Purple velvet plant, Velvet Plant

purple passion plant — Photo by Donna S (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This plant is famous for its velvety, deep purple hairs that cover its dark green leaves. It adds a striking pop of color to any indoor collection. You will love how the light catches those fuzzy leaves.

Another photo of Bear Paw — Photo by Garcia Francisco (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Light: Bright indirect light is best.
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 10 days
Mature size: Up to 60 cm tall.
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Late winter to early spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. Watch for drooping leaves as a sign that it needs a drink. Provide plenty of bright, indirect light to maintain that vibrant purple coloration.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long stems to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound in its current container.
Soil: Well draining potting mix.
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 15 to 27°C
Humidity: 60 to 80%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Water running straight through the pot
Stunted growth

Safety

People: This plant is generally considered non-toxic, but ingestion may cause mild digestive upset.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: Keep out of reach of small children as the fuzzy leaves may be tempting to touch or put in the mouth.
Contact allergens: The fine hairs on the leaves can cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The flowers may produce pollen that can trigger mild reactions in sensitive people.
Edibility: The plant is not considered edible and should be kept away from food preparation areas.

How to identify it

Velvety purple hairs on leaves
Dark green serrated foliage
Trailing or upright growth habit
Small orange daisy like flowers

Height: 0.3 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.5m
Leaves: purple, green, evergreen
Flowers: orange, yellow, 1 to 2cm

Problems to watch for

MealybugsCommon
Root RotCommon
AphidsUncommon
EdemaUncommon
Fungus GnatsUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Keep the plant in a warm room away from cold drafts. Reduce watering slightly during the winter months when growth slows down.
In containers: It grows very well in pots and prefers a container with good drainage, at least 15 cm in diameter.

Stem cuttings

1. Take a 10 cm cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting mix.
4. Keep in bright, indirect light until roots form.

Group this plant with other tropical foliage plants to create a microclimate that maintains higher humidity levels.

Grows well with

Peace Lily · They share similar requirements for high humidity and indirect light.
Ferns · Ferns provide a lush backdrop and thrive in the same humid environment.

Similar species

Velvet Plant · It is a close relative with similar growth habits but less intense purple coloration.

Science

Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gynura
Order: Asterales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia.
Conservation: This species is common in cultivation and not currently threatened in its native habitat.

It grows as an understory plant in tropical forests, where it thrives in filtered light and high humidity.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: houseplant, indoor container plant

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 6/9
Temperature: 8/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Why are the leaves losing their purple color?: The plant is likely not receiving enough bright, indirect light.
How often should I water it?: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Where the name comes from

The name Gynura comes from Greek words meaning woman and tail, referring to the long stigmas, while aurantiaca means orange in Latin.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the purple passion plant.
The leaves look like they are covered in purple velvet.
It grows best in bright, indirect light to keep the purple color intense.

Keep your bear paw growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.