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Purpleheart

Peltogyne spp.

Purpleheart wood shifts from purple to rich brown over time, yet retains its bold, vibrant color when kept in protected interiors.

Janka

1860

Price Tier

$$$$

Dent Risk

Low
Workability
Finishing
Uses
Buying
Purpleheart lumber board showing vibrant purple wood grain texture

Overview

Purpleheart is the rare wood that looks dyed even when it isn’t. It is very durable with strong decay and insect resistance. However, it is susceptible to marine borers, so outdoor and marine are not the same thing. Grain is usually straight but can be wavy, and it has a medium texture with good luster. If you want bold color with real structural toughness, purpleheart delivers, but it will shift in tone with light exposure.

Key takeaways

  • Naturally very durable;
  • Color change with light and oxidation
  • Not for marine exposure.

At a Glance

Hardness & Heft

Janka: 1860 lbf
Dry weight: 56 lbs/ft³ (897 kg/m³)

Color & Figure

Color: Vivid Purple to Brown

Grain: Mostly straight

Figure: Curly possible, but rare

Stability & Movement

Movement: Medium

Drying: Buy dry stock and keep it dry

Workability

Plays nice with

  • Decay resistance
  • Bold color
  • Good luster

Fights you on

  • Color shift
  • Heat during sanding
  • Marine borers

Finishing

  • Surface Prep: 150 to 220
  • Blotch Risk: Low
  • Pores: Tight

Best Uses

Great for

  • Inlays
  • Accent trim
  • Handles

Avoid for

  • Marine exposure
  • Direct sun storage
  • Overheating sanding

Where it comes from

Mexico, Central America, South America

Map showing the native range of where Spanish cedar wood is grown

Buying notes

Pick boards with even purple tone if matching matters; the color range can vary by board and by age of stock.
  • Sold As: Lumber, turning stock
  • Look For: Even tone, straight grain

What to Watch Out For

  • Color variability
  • Surface and end checking
  • Moisture content inconsistency

Practical Alternatives

  • African Padauk
  • Bubinga
  • Bloodwood

Shop Notes / Deeper Dive

Purpleheart is a shop favorite for its color, but it’ll turn brown if you overheat it with a dull blade. It’s surprisingly stiff and likes to shrink, so don’t skimp on the floating panel design. It’s a heavy-duty wood that rewards a clean sanding progression and a UV-resistant finish to keep that purple popping.

Like what you see?

While I occasionally work with some of these species, availability varies widely. If you’re researching woods for a custom project, feel free to reach out.

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Reference Notes:  Wood grain and color can vary significantly within a species depending on growing conditions, age, and cut orientation. Images on this page are provided as general reference examples and may not represent every possible variation of the species. Geographic distribution maps illustrate typical native or commonly cultivated ranges and may not reflect every region where the species occurs today.

Additional technical data and botanical information may be referenced from sources such as the USDA Forest Products Laboratory Wood Handbook.