What Color is Plum
Plum is a saturated, reddish-purple hue that balances the calm stability of blue with the fierce energy of red. It evokes a sense of maturity and abundance, distinct from the sharper brightness of pure violet. This shade feels inherently regal, bridging the gap between organic nature and high-end luxury.
Additional Information
- Color Family: Red-Violet
- Temperature: Cool
- Associated Season: Autumn
- Complementary Color: #448D4C
- Brightness: 98/255
- Saturation: 51%
Colors That Pair Well With Plum
Complementary
Pair with Fruit Salad for a harmonious, balanced look. Great for backgrounds and accents.
High Contrast
Use De York for maximum readability. Ideal for text or critical UI elements.
Harmonious Depth
Use lighter and darker shades for a sophisticated, cohesive design. Great for backgrounds, text, and subtle accents.
Color Variations
Tints (add white)
Tones (add grey)
Plum History
Historically, purple hues were restricted to the elite due to the exorbitant cost of Tyrian dye, extracted painfully from sea snails. It wasn't until William Perkin accidentally synthesized Mauveine in 1856 that shades like plum became accessible to the general public, sparking a massive fashion craze in the Victorian era.
In the art world, this red-violet shade found favor during the Art Nouveau movement, where it complemented complex floral motifs and organic curving lines. Later, the 1970s embraced plum as a defining interior trend, symbolizing a shift toward earthy bohemian aesthetics and a departure from mid-century modern brightness.
Meaning & Psychology
Psychologically, plum suggests a deep sense of introspection and spiritual wisdom. Unlike bright purples which can feel whimsical or childish, the reddish undertones here ground the color, adding a layer of heavy sophistication and solemnity.
Culturally, this shade often represents nobility and power without the overt aggression of pure red. It is a color of mystery, encouraging creative thought and signifying a connection to the subconscious mind and artistic intuition.
In Nature
While the name derives from the ripe fruit of the Prunus genus, this specific shade appears frequently in the floral world to attract specific pollinators. It colors the velvet petals of the clematis vine and wild orchids, standing out against green foliage. You can also find traces of this hue in the mineral world within specific veins of amethyst geodes or fluorite crystals.
How To Use Plum
In modern design, plum works exceptionally well as an accent color, providing depth to neutral palettes of cool gray or warm beige. It pairs remarkably well with mustard yellow or metallic gold, creating a luxurious and high-contrast aesthetic suitable for premium branding.
Regarding accessibility, this hex code offers decent contrast against white text, generally passing WCAG AA standards for legibility. However, be cautious using it on dark backgrounds; it may lack sufficient luminosity to be read clearly without brightening the value.
Related Words
Curated Palettes
Victorian Velvet
A moody and historic palette inspired by 19th-century luxury.
Orchard Harvest
An organic palette mixing fruit tones with earth and foliage.
Modern Bohemian
A high-contrast, trendy mix of deep purple and spicy warm tones.
Color Conversions
Color Blindness Simulation
CSS Snippets
color: #8E4585;
color: rgb(142, 69, 133);
background-color: #8E4585;
border: 3px solid #8E4585;
box-shadow: 0 4px 12px #8E458566;
background: linear-gradient(135deg, #8E4585 0%, #ffffff 100%);
Shop Premium Products in Plum
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Product Details
Add a touch of luxury to your home with our premium Eco Velvet cushions. Soft to the touch, these cushions are perfect for adding comfort and style to any room.
- Material: Soft Eco Velvet.
- Feel: Velvety soft finish.
- Backing: Stone coloured back (or double-sided print).
- Print: Edge-to-edge vibrant color using water-based inks.
- Care: Machine washable at 30°C.
- Construction: Handmade to order with a concealed zipper.
Eco Credentials
We believe in sustainable style. Our cushions are crafted with the planet in mind.
- Made to Order: Produced only when you order, eliminating overproduction and waste.
- Water-Based Inks: Printed using neo-pigment, water-based inks that are non-hazardous, toxin-free, and vegan-friendly.
- Local Fulfilment: Produced locally where possible to reduce carbon emissions from transport.
- Vegan Friendly: No animal products are used in the production of these cushions.
What Goes With Plum?
Explore color palettes containing Plum and discover harmonious combinations for your designs.
Analogous
Complementary
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast with Black and White
Contrast with Black
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Contrast with White
UI Examples
"Color is a power which directly influences the soul."
Contrast Ratio
Closest Color Matches
Polychromos
crimson
#134 • #A14D9D
Caran d'ache Luminance 6901
Quinacridone Purple
#115 • #8B2B81
Polychromos
red-violet
#194 • #88496D
Prismacolor
Black Cherry
#PC1078 • #520040
Prismacolor
Dark Purple
#PC931 • #652B84
Similar Colors
View all Red-Violet colors →Colors with similar hex values and appearance to Plum
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hex code for Plum?
What colors go with Plum?
Is Plum accessible for text?
How do I use Plum in CSS?
You can use Plum in CSS with its hex code. Here is an example class:
.plum {
background-color: #8E4585;
color: #FFFFFF;
}For more snippets including gradients, see the CSS snippets section.