Plantain ‘Purple Perversion’ (Plantago major ‘Purple Perversion’)

1 well-established plant in a 9cm pot, sent in plastic-free packaging. A strikingly unusual, deeply ruffled architectural perennial, prized for its dark purple edible foliage and potent, scientifically validated medicinal properties.

Perennial | 30/40cm tall | Full sun to partial shade | Edible purple leaves and seed heads | Highly drought-tolerant and prolific self-seeder

‘Purple Perversion’ is a highly ornamental, selected cultivar of broadleaf plantain. It has beautiful, intensely ruffled, crinkled leaf margins and deep purple-plum colouration, which intensifies under high UV exposure (full sun). This “edimental” (edible ornamental) is highly versatile. The young, tender purple leaves can be eaten raw in salads, while older, more fibrous leaves are best treated like spinach or kale and cooked into stews to break down their structural veins.  The foliage of broad-leaf plantain can be used as a compress to help soothe insect bites, nettle stings, and minor scrapes.

This plant produces tall, slender, relatively inconspicuous flower spikes in mid-to-late summer. Later in the season, the spikes develop into dense seed heads that act as a premium, highly sought-after forage resource for native finches and other seed-eating garden birds. Below ground, it features a thick, highly resilient fibrous root system capable of penetrating heavily compacted soils, making it an excellent pioneer species for breaking up poor ground and naturally improving soil structure over time.

This plant is exceptionally hardy and adaptable. Holding an RHS H7 hardiness rating, it will comfortably survive the harshest UK winters, retaining its foliage as a semi-evergreen in milder regions. It thrives in almost any soil condition, from heavy wet clay to dry, stony paths, and performs beautifully in either full sun or partial shade. As with the traditional broadleaf plantain, this plant is a keen self-seeder. If you don’t want it to self-seed around your garden, simply remove the flower spikes before they turn to seed.

Delivery Information

All plants are carefully packed and sent in plastic-free packaging to protect both the plant and the environment. Plants are dispatched promptly so they arrive fresh, healthy, and ready to plant.

We ship orders using a tracked 24-hour delivery service, helping to minimise time in transit and reduce stress on the plant. Orders are packed by hand at the nursery, and we aim to dispatch early in the week to avoid delays over weekends.

If you have any questions about delivery timing or combining orders, please get in touch before ordering and we will be happy to help.

To find out more about other plants for your garden visit – https://dyfiplants.substack.com