I have just purchased a tradescantia zebrina purpusii and I know nothing about this plant.  I keep hearing that it is horribly invasive so I want to keep it out of the ground, but if I plant it in a hanging basket only a metre (3 feet) above ground and keep it trimmed so that it never touches the ground, can I avoid it ever taking root in my garden?   If it has a tendency to drop its seeds/flowers, then this might not be a good idea, but I defer to you experts for the best advice.  

 

If I do get approval from my fellow PalmTalkers to keep it outside (in an elevated pot), then my next question is about colour. I am hoping to place this plant in a very shaded area of my garden. If I do, will the purple colour fade or revert to green?

 

If this plant is unavoidably invasive no matter where and how I plant it, perhaps I should just cut my losses and throw it in the bin (?)      

 

Thanks in advance for your gardening advice, PalmTalkers.

 

I have some in pots and have no issues with it spreading to the ground here in SoCal.  It is in shade and maintains its nice purple color all year round.  

T. zebrina is not the plant with the bad reputation. T. fluminensis is the culprit. It'll pop up everywhere.

Zebrina pendula is quite tender. Probably won't make it through most Gainesville winters anyway, except perhaps under overhangs. I'd put escape potential there as near zero.