Arabian Lilac - Vitex trifolia f. purpurea - The first year it was planted, it was quite small - 2ft, but it was healthy. The leaves were green on top and purple underneath. This is year 2 and this has been a year of growth. It now stands at about 5ft tall. The main difference now is the leaves lost the purple color underneath and now is just green. Why?

*I don't grow this plant*
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I have a suspect it is reverting. Is that due to culture? Are you growing it in a location that it likes?

That being said, this whole family responds really well to pruning.

I'm not sure what reverting is? This is planted on on the east side of the house. Summer is here in Arizona. Temps are around 110 degrees. It's healthy or at least it appears to be. The leaves should be green on one side and purple on the other. The leaves are green on both sides. I'm training it into a tree and it responds aggressively with pruning and grows fast. Maybe I'm watering too much? The leaves don't seem yellow or spotting. Maybe the intense heat affects it?

Has another plant possibly grown to a size that is causing the Arabian Lilac (Vitex trifolia 'Purpurea') to receive lower light? Lower light levels may be the cause.

If you've aggressively pruned it back, perhaps the dry heat is affecting the leaf coloration?

It gets full, unfiltered sun from about 530am until about 130pm.

I appreciate the response to this though.

That's possible, but it doesn't seem distressed as it keeps growing back. The flowers are also different this year. They are a pale white/purple. Instead of the normal purple. The tree has flowers all over. It's probably just Arizona heat I guess.

Did you figure out what was going on? And have the plant's leaves returned to their normal purple color? I recently planted one of these beauties and trying to learn what I can to prepare for possible future growing hiccups. How do you feel about the plant now that some time has passed?

1983eam said: Did you figure out what was going on? And have the plant's leaves returned to their normal purple color? I recently planted one of these beauties and trying to learn what I can to prepare for possible future growing hiccups. How do you feel about the plant now that some time has passed?

It doesn't look like the OP has posted on this site since 2020, so they may not respond to your questions.

Lizardsith said: Arabian Lilac - Vitex trifolia f. purpurea - The first year it was planted, it was quite small - 2ft, but it was healthy. The leaves were green on top and purple underneath. This is year 2 and this has been a year of growth. It now stands at about 5ft tall. The main difference now is the leaves lost the purple color underneath and now is just green. Why?

The winter weather can affect the color on the vitex trees or a frost, cold wind temps , roots don't like to sit in water. Cut each stem back a few inches . When the temps warm up this will help the stems to leaf out with the purple flush and force flowers.Make sure it is in a well drained area . The first three years are crucial for tree roots growth . Usually the tree becomes well established after the third year. In your zone 9-10 they are drought tolerant once established.