I entered a discussion about purple leaves in Capsicum last spring. Following is part of what I wrote. You can review the entire thread if you follow the link below: The most common cause of purple leaves (very common at this time of year)[I wrote this last Apr] is a deficiency of phosphorus (P) because P is required to make ATP and ATP is needed to turn sugars to starch and to load sugar into phloem for transport. No P - no ATP - no move sugars/starches - anthocyanin (purple pigment) builds up - plant turns purple. The most frequent cause of a P deficiency is cold soils, which is why so many plants planted out too early turn purple. A P deficiency is not the only suspect cause of purple leaves. Nearly any environmental condition that puts the brakes on growth and the accompanying use of sugars, but does not limit sugar production (photosynthesis) can cause anthocyanin buildup and purple leaves. If only the outer edges of the leaves are purple, it may be a K or Mg deficiency. If the center of the leaves are also purple, it could be too much Ca in the soil or the result of too much water in the soil blocking uptake of P and Mg. Do not apply a fertilizer with the middle number higher than either of the other two numbers (N & K) to container plants. There is never a need for that much P (relative to N) in container culture unless you're supplying only N in another form. Plants use about 6 times more N than P and the massive doses of P in 'bloom-booster fertilizers' cannot do any good. Al Here is a link that might be useful: I'll take you to the other thread, if you click me

Thanks! I'll try a little more neglect. I planted seven different species, and plan to experiment to see which if any will survive our eastern WA weather. The ones that are turning purple are parryi, neomexicana, and havardii (if I spelled those correctly).

Do you know the species? Hibiscus acetosella is a maroon kinda color, as are the leaves on the seedlings. Sounds pretty cool anyway! Barb

i agree with smoke as with some ornamentals some do have purple leaves, stems,stalk as well as fruit, i have bolivian rainbow very much like your pearl,also hot equidor, all have purple feature, there are a few more that do also, so yes its perfectly normal, ive seen black pearl and they are purple, there a nice plant!! hope this help some your friend joe