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Portulaca spp.

purslanes

Portulacaceae

warm temperate and tropical regions worldwide

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

Overview

Portulaca spp. is a genus of about 40 to 100 species of succulent annual and perennial herbs in the family Portulacaceae, distributed through warm temperate and tropical regions worldwide. Plants have fleshy, water-storing stems and leaves and grow 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) tall, spreading 6 to 18 inches (15 to 45 cm) wide in a low, trailing mat. The leaves are thick, smooth, and cylindrical to flattened, green and often tinged red at the margins. The five-petaled flowers, 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) across, open in bright sun and close in shade or cloudy weather; across the genus they range from red and pink to orange, yellow, white, and purple. Ornamental species such as P. grandiflora are grown for their many-colored flowers, while P. oleracea, common purslane, is both an edible leaf vegetable and a widespread agricultural weed. Plants grow strongly in heat, full sun, and dry, sandy soils, and tolerate drought through their succulent tissues. They fail in shade, in cool summers, and in wet or heavy soils, where stems rot. Most species set seed prolifically and self-sow.

Native Range

Portulaca spp. is found in warm regions on every continent except Antarctica, with species native to the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia. P. oleracea is now nearly cosmopolitan as a weed of cultivated and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Portulaca spp. is used in containers, hanging baskets, rock gardens, gravel plantings, and as edging or groundcover in hot, sunny sites. It suits coastal and xeriscape gardens and green roofs owing to its drought tolerance. P. oleracea is also grown in vegetable gardens as an edible green.

How to Identify

Identify Portulaca spp. by its low, spreading habit and thick, fleshy, often cylindrical leaves on reddish, succulent stems. The five-petaled flowers are 0.5 to 2 inches (1 to 5 cm) wide, open only in bright sun, and come in a wide color range. Tiny seeds are released from a capsule that splits around its middle like a lid.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 1'

Width/Spread6" - 1'6"

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~14 weeks

Summer Fall

Portulaca spp. blooms from early summer until frost, with flowers opening on sunny mornings and closing by afternoon or in dull weather. Each flower lasts a single day, but plants produce them continuously through the warm months. Flowering slows in cool, cloudy spells.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

red, pink, orange, yellow, white, or purple

Foliage Description

green, often tinged red

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Portulaca spp. grows in full sun in light, sandy, sharply drained soil and tolerates heat, drought, and poor fertility. Plants store water in their leaves and stems and need little or no irrigation once established. Shade, cool weather, and wet or heavy soils cause weak growth and stem rot. Seed is sown after the last frost when the soil has warmed, or started indoors about six weeks earlier. Rich soils and frequent watering produce lush foliage and fewer flowers. The first frost kills the plants, which are replaced from seed each year in cold climates.

Pruning

Portulaca spp. needs no pruning. Trailing stems can be trimmed to shape plants in containers, and trimmed pieces root readily in warm soil. Removing developing seed capsules reduces self-sowing in following years.