How to Grow Portulaca Flowers (Purslane)

Growing Portulaca Flower Plants in Your Home Garden

Low-growing Portulaca flowers are a ground cover that is sure to please. Also called Purslane flowers, they are native to Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. It should be no surprise to discover, that annual Portulaca plants are drought and heat tolerant. And perhaps best of all, the plants are easy to grow.

Flower colors include shades of rose, yellow, white, orange, red, purple, and pink. Flowers will bloom in early summer.

These flowers attract butterflies.

Try growing Portulaca plants as a ground cover, along walkways, around the house or garage, in rock gardens, and on hillsides. The plants spread easily.

Did you Know? Portulaca seeds are edible raw or cooked. Seed can be ground up and put into recipes, soups, and sauces.

Portulaca Flower Plant Specifications

Flower colors: Flowers bloom in shades of orange, pink, purple, red, rose, white, and yellow.

Flower Blooms: Summer.

Plant Height: Three to six inches tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 5.5 – 7.0.

Light Requirement: Full, bright sunlight.

Hardiness Zones: 2 – 11, depending upon variety.

Are Plants Toxic? No.

Deer Resistant? No. Deer and rabbits enjoy snacking on these beautiful flowers.

Number of Species: Approximately 100.

Native To: Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay.

Plant Type: Annuals.

Botanical Name: Portulaca Grandiflora

Other Names: Eleven O’clock, Moss Rose, Purslane, Sun Rose, Sun Plant

Are Portulaca Flowers Edible?

UNCERTAIN!!

No matter how deeply we research, we find varying opinions whether this plant is edible. One source says they are eidble. And another article says they are not. While we are not the experts, we believe this plant is not toxic. However, the bitterness of the plant makes it inedible.

As a result, we recommend you play it safe and avoid eating this plant.

Medicinal Uses for Purslane Plants

Portulaca Flowers hava a variety of medicinal applications. Here are some of the potential benefits:

It treats hepatitis, and cirrhosis of the liver.
Make a lotion from the juice or sap of the leaves and stem to treat snake bites.
You can also use the lotion to treat burns, insect bites, and exzema.
The leaves are used to treat and prevent scurvy.

Important Note: You should not use it to make home remedies unless you are properly trained to do so.

Light Requirements

Grow Portulaca flowers in bright, direct, full sun. Select a planting location where they will receive six to eight hours of full sunlight.

The plants grow in partial sunlight. However, if they do not receive sufficient sunlight, the plant will fail to bloom.

Portulaca Plant Propagation

Grow Portulaca flowers from seed. These annuals are prolific re-seeders. Make sure to plant them where they can reseed and grow, year after year.

When planting seeds, it is not necessary to cover them. They require light to germinate.

For indoor starts, sow seeds 6 weeks before the last frost in your area.

For indoor starts, we recommend using a seedling germination mat.

Do not set out seedlings until after the last frost date in your area. Plants are susceptible to frost. The ideal plant spacing is ten inches apart.

Established plants can also be propagated by cuttings.

Days to Germination: 14 to 21 days.

Final Plant Spacing: Six to twelve inches, depending upon variety.

How to Grow Portulaca Flower Plants

Annal Portulaca plants are easy to grow. Grow plants in full sun.

The plants prefer loose, sandy, or loam soil. A well-draining composition is important.

Portulaca plants are drought and heat tolerant.

Water only during droughts. The plants retain water. If growing in containers or hanging pots, allow the soil to dry between watering.

Feed the plants a general-purpose, high nitrogen fertilizer when first planting, to help them to get a good start. Add a high Phosphorous fertilizer just before blooming. No other fertilizer applications should be needed for the season.

Portulaca produces long lasting, rose-like blooms in early summer. Pinch or deadhead spent flowers, to promote more blooms.

Prune plants to create a fuller, neater appearance. Provide plenty of air circulation through the plant to help avoid fungal disease.

Plants are annuals that are very susceptible to frost. Cover them up whenever cold temperatures are expected.

How to Grow Portulaca in Containers and Flowerpots

Short Portulaca plants make good candidates for flowerpots and containers on your patio or deck. And, their perky blooms will make you want to grow them there. They grow well in windowsill planters, too.

In addition to the normal steps for growing Portulaca flowers, here’s how to care for them in a flowerpot or container:

It is important to have a drain hole to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every day or two, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.
Select a sunny to partly sunny location on your deck.

How to Prune Annual Portulaca Flowers

Purslane plants are almost maintenance free. Pruning is not necessary. However, you may want to remove the occasional damaged or broken stems and leaves.

Deadheading spent Portulaca flowers is not required, either. However, you may want to remove them to improve plant appearance. If you leave them on the plant, you can harvest seeds for next year’s crop.

Insects and Plant Disease

Aphids, gnats, and other insects can pose a problem. Treat Purslane plants with insecticide or repellents, as needed. Snails and slugs can also be a problem. See more on Snail and Slug Control.

Fungus diseases can occur. Use a general-purpose fungicide in humid weather, and when problems appear. Stem and root rot can occur. This is a problem in wet soil. Avoid problems by planting in sandy, or other well-draining soil. A slightly elevated planting bed also helps to avoid this problem.