I used to have one of these years ago. I think it is a Tradescantia, not sure which type.

It's called Setcreasea purpurea. I used to have it. It gets little pinky flowers sometimes.

Is it related to tradescantia Hywel? I used to have one and always thought that was what it was.

I have many of these, grown from one little cutting from another plant. I have known them as Tradescantia Pallida Purpurea. Lovely as small colourful plants, but they get a bit straggly when bigger. Thuggish roots! I had one that was not doing too well - tried to get it out of the pot so I could pot it on and had to cut the pot off! The roots were as thick as a pencil and wound round in a spiral, so I had to soak it to loosen the roots, then managed to pot it up in seveal pieces. Regular summer visitors to the village who show an interest in my garden will be going home with one ... or several!

Thanks a lot folks. That should help.
We are thinking of keeping it in our outside garden room. does it winter well, or should it be kept indoors.

Julia and John

I only ever had it as a houseplant, but I believe it can be grown outside - don't know about in UK though.

In UK it should be kept as a houseplant.