Color has a tremendous influence on our well-being.  Colors are associated with season change, our favorite sports teams, our alma mater colors, fashion, music, art and so many more.  They bring joy and happiness into our lives.  Colors provide us with images of the past, of the present and even the future.  Whether it be in grade school, high school, college or beyond, a commonly asked question is “what is your favorite color?”

Each of us makes choices every day based on colors, even shades of colors.  We choose colors based on our own preferences or due to our emotional state or on occasion we might make a color decision based on systemic thought, or even based on scientific reasoning. 

In Minnesota the color purple is associated, for many, with the Minnesota Vikings.  After a disappointing season we can put the Vikings purple clothing in the back of the closet for a few months and concentrate on other reasons to celebrate purple - our plants for example!  As we plan our gardens let us consider reasons to plant purple flowers and purple vegetables for 2026.  My goal is to persuade you to choose purple for your plants and vegetables.  If you have not been convinced by the end of this article to choose purple, you have made me blue.

Provided below is a top ten list of both scientific and non-scientific reasons for choosing purple flowers and vegetables. Some of the reasons may surprise you!

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Variety and diversity: so many shades of purple exist - violet, periwinkle, and lavender - to name just a few. Whether you prefer dark colors, light colors, colored leaves, colored flowers, colored roots or rhizomes, purple has them all. 

9

An impressive history in purple: it is a history of elegance, royalty, spirituality and sophistication. Purple has historically been linked to royalty and wealth, with expensive purple dyes being a status symbol. Purple dyes historically came from expensive natural sources like the murex sea snail (Tyrian purple) and, importantly, plants.  Plants whose roots and berries have been used for purple dyes include: 

• Alkanet (Alkanna tinctoria): the roots produce a strong red/purple dye, particularly for oils and textiles; 

• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra), berries produce lavender to deep purple shades;

• Pokeberry (Phytolacca americana): yields shades from deep rose to mahogany-purple; 

• Whortleberry/Blaeberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), blue-purple berries produce lavender colors

• Logwood (Haematoxylum campechianum) a flowering tree produces a deep purple dye.

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Medicinal value: Purple fruits and vegetables contain compounds called anthocyanins, pigments in foods ranging from that royal hue – anywhere from deep red-orange to striking violet to beautiful blue. Anthocyanins are known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and protective health benefits, including supporting heart, brain, and eye health, and potentially slowing aging and cancer growth.  Their health value stems from protecting cells from oxidative damage.  Plants that contain anthocyanins are also better protected against damage from sunlight.  

Several purple herbs possess significant medicinal value including - Echinacea (purple coneflower), Self-Heal, and Purple Dead Nettle, which are often used in teas, tinctures, or salves.

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Uniqueness and Individuality: Purple stands out from the crowd, representing a desire to be noticed and express individuality. Whether it is a vegetable garden or a flower garden— purple is striking, has inherent beauty and draws upon your senses. 

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Purple conjures up references to literature, to music, to theater. “The Color Purple,” by Alice Walker, was a remarkable book, movie and theater production.  Do we have comparable references with green and yellow colors?  One of the most influential musicians from the state of Minnesota was Prince.  Purple was his signature color, as was his most popular song - Purple Rain. Consider playing the song Purple Rain when you are planting purple flowers this spring. It’s unclear if the plant will benefit but the gardener certainly will.

5

Children prefer Purple: Children are often drawn to purple because of its vibrant and attention-grabbing nature, its association with fun and imagination, and its ability to inspire creativity and spark imagination. 

4

Spirituality and Mysticism: Purple is frequently linked to spirituality and the mystical.  Many spiritual practices incorporating purple due to its meditative properties. Who doesn’t appreciate a flower garden (with purple flowers, of course) for its meditative properties.

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Calming and Balancing: Purple is believed to have a calming effect on the mind and nerves, promoting mental balance and stability.  Shades like lavender are particularly effective for relaxation and mental rest.  For example, Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) and/or Lavender (Lavandula). 

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Pollinators love purple.  Bees and other pollinators are highly attracted to purple.  Watch a pollinator garden for bees’ preferences; purple flowers are generally preferred over that of green and yellow.

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There are many beautiful purple plants to choose from.  

In sum, Purple is widely considered a fun, vibrant color that combines the calming stability of blue with the energetic power of red. It is used to spark imagination in learning environments and brings a cheerful, whimsical feel to everyday life. So too, do purple flowers and purple vegetables bring such emotions and fun to your garden.  

A few suggestions for planting purple vegetables: the royalty of purple vegetables are the Beet and the Eggplant. No discussion of purple vegetables can proceed without mentioning these two stalwarts of the garden.  One reason they stand out is that the purple dyes in these plants is retained upon cooking.  Purple beans and peppers are also beautiful in the garden but they lose their vibrant purple color upon cooking. While orange tends to be the preferred color for garden carrots, the purple carrot is also desirable (and, based on Egyptian ancient records, most likely preceded the orange 

carrot.)

Have the top ten reasons to choose purple vegetables and flowers convinced you yet? You may choose purple plants and vegetables for their beauty but there are so many more reasons to appreciate the purple. Whatever the reason, hopefully you are inspired to choose purple for your garden this year.

Photo Credits: pxhere.com (all creative commons) (1), Gayle Bergevin (2-5)