How to Grow Purple Hebe - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Purple hebe is a beautiful flowering plant that is native to New Zealand. The flowers are a deep purple color and the plant grows to a height of about 3 feet. The leaves are dark green and the plant prefers to grow in full sun.

How to Grow Purple Hebe - Plant Care & Tips

Popular name

  • Garden hebe
  • Purple-flowered hebe
  • Hebe 'Sutherlandii'
  • Hebe 'Purple Dome'
  • Hebe 'Jockey Club'

Common Knowledge

  • Purple hebe is an evergreen shrub that originates from New Zealand.
  • It can grow to a height of between 1 and 3 metres.
  • The leaves of the purple hebe are a deep purple colour and are oval in shape.
  • The flowers of the purple hebe are white and occur in clusters.
  • The purple hebe is tolerant of salt and wind and can therefore be grown in coastal areas.
  • It is also tolerant of poor soils and is therefore an ideal plant for growing in shady areas.
  • The purple hebe requires little maintenance and is therefore an ideal plant for low maintenance gardens.
  • The purple hebe is also a drought tolerant plant and will continue to flower even during periods of drought.
  • The purple hebe is an ideal plant for attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.
  • The purple hebe is a hardy plant that is tolerant of frost and can therefore be grown in most parts of the UK.

Related plant:
Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain

Growing Steps

  1. For purple hebe, first step is to find a healthy plant. You can do this by looking for a plant that has green leaves and is actively growing.
  2. Once you have found a healthy plant, the next step is to pot it in well-drained soil.
  3. After potting the plant, water it well and place it in a location that receives full sun.
  4. Hebe plants need to be fertilized every few weeks during the growing season. However, be sure not to over-fertilize as this can damage the plant.
  5. Once the plant is established, it will need to be pruned every year to keep it looking its best.
  6. Purple hebe can be susceptible to several pests and diseases. However, these can be controlled with proper care.
  7. If you live in an area with cold winters, it is important to protect your hebe plant. This can be done by covering it with a frost cloth or moving it indoors.
  8. In the spring, you can begin to fertilize your hebe plant again and water it regularly.
  9. Once the plant begins to bloom, you can deadhead the flowers to encourage more blooms.
  10. With proper care, your purple hebe will continue to thrive for many years.

Related plant:
Purple Evergreen Shrubs

The Soil

About soil condition, purple hebe prefers well-drained soil, and tolerates a wide range of soils as long as they are not waterlogged. It will grow in heavier soils if given extra organic matter at planting time.

Light condition

Like the other plants, the purple hebe needs sunlight to grow. The amount of sun required depends on the species of hebe, but most need at least four hours of sun each day. Too much sun can damage the leaves, so it's important to find a balance.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is most ideal for purple hebe is one that is cool and moist. This plant is native to New Zealand and grows best in areas that have these conditions. Purple hebe can tolerate some sun, but too much sun will cause the leaves to scorch.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is between 40 to 60%. If the humidity falls below 40%, the leaves of the plant will start to shrivel and the plant will become dormant. If the humidity rises above 60%, the leaves of the plant will start to yellow and the plant will become stressed.

Fertilizer Requirement

The fertilizer, this kind of plant need is: 1. low in nitrogen 2. high in phosphorus 3. high in potassium. The ratio of N-P-K ( nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) should be something like 15-30-15. This will give the plant the nutrients it needs to grow strong and produce plenty of flowers. The roots of purple hebe need to be well-drained, so make sure the planting mix you use is light and airy. You can also improve drainage by mixing in some organic matter, such as compost or perlite.

Plant Pruning

Pruning your purple hebe is a necessary step in keeping your plant healthy and looking its best. Hebes are fast-growing shrubs, so they need to be pruned regularly to control their size and shape. When pruning your purple hebe, be sure to cut back the stems to just above a leaf node. This will help encourage new growth and keep your plant from getting too leggy.

About Propagating

Propagation is best done in spring, by taking cuttings from new growth. The cuttings should be about 10-15cm long, and have at least 2-3 sets of leaves. Place the cuttings in a pot filled with a well-drained, sandy soil mix, and water well. Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot, and keep the soil moist. The cuttings should root within 4-6 weeks. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted into individual pots.

Growth Speed

Usually, the plant growth rate is determined by the cultivar. 'Midsummer Beauty' and 'James Stirling' grow at about 1 foot per year, while 'Sutherlandii' grows a bit more slowly at about 6 inches per year. Most hebes prefer full sun, but will also tolerate partial shade. They need well-drained soil and are quite drought-tolerant once established.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are leaf spot, powdery mildew, and root rot. These problems can be caused by several different fungi and bacteria. The best way to avoid these problems is to grow the plant in well-drained soil and to water it only when the soil is dry. If the plant does get one of these diseases, the best course of action is to remove the affected parts of the plant and to treat the plant with a fungicide or bactericide.

Basics of Growing

  • Remember to water your hebe regularly, especially during hot weather.
  • Hebes prefer a sunny or semi-shaded spot in the garden.
  • Apply a well-balanced fertilizer to your hebe every few weeks during the growing season.
  • To promote bushier growth, pinch back the tips of the stems periodically.
  • If your hebe becomes leggy, it can be cut back hard to encourage new growth.
  • Hebes are generally pest- and disease-free, but watch out for scale insects and aphids.
  • To propagate hebes, take stem cuttings in late spring or early summer.
  • Hebes can also be grown from seed, although it can be tricky to get them to germinate.
  • Hebes can be used as foundation plants, border plants, or groundcover.
  • Hebes are not typically long-lived plants,

Similar Plants

  • ‘Macedon’
  • Hebe
  • Hebea
  • Hebealea
  • Hebecarpa
  • Hebeclinium
  • Hebecycla
  • Hebedium
  • Hebegrandiceps
  • Heber

Source:
PURPLE PANTRY | News Services | ECU
Purple Alert – Northwestern State University
Purple Pantry | Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement | ECU

Richelle Author Photo
Reviewed & Published by Richelle
Submitted by our contributor
Shrubs Category