How to Grow and Care for Portulaca Plants for Beginners

Which Purslane?

Purslane is a low-maintenance annual plant. Here are the main care requirements for growing purslane in pots or flower beds.

• Plant in full sun in sandy, well-drained soil.
• Water generously during periods of prolonged hot weather, otherwise this plant is drought tolerant.
• Purslane is usually grown as an annual, but it can regrow and grow back in the spring.
• These flowers will look better if the spent flowers are removed to keep them looking neat and to encourage more flower buds to form.

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Plant a tree

When planting purslane, choose a spot with full sun, sandy soil, and no taller plants, as purslane only grows a few inches tall. They are perfect for the front of a border or the front of a container to show off their bright colors, and their spreading tendrils are also great for hanging in baskets.

Light

Planting these sun-loving flowers in full sun will encourage more blooms and new buds to form. But if you must plant them in partial sun, afternoon sun (which is usually brighter and warmer) is a little better than morning sun.

There are some newer varieties that do well in partial shade, such as the ‘Sundial’ series.

Land

Portulaca are not fussy about soil, but they do best in loose, sandy, well-drained soil. They will also grow in loose, rocky soil. Avoid hard clay soils, which can prevent their roots from developing fully and can also make the plant susceptible to root rot.

Water

Portulaca is fairly drought tolerant, but regular watering during peak flowering will keep the flowers looking fresh. Be sure to water during prolonged periods of hot weather to prevent buds from drying out.

Temperature and humidity

Native to South America, these flowers can withstand high temperatures. They are also resistant to high humidity. This makes them a good choice for places where summers can sometimes get hot, such as along walkways that absorb heat from asphalt or concrete.

Some new hybrids thrive in cool mornings and bloom earlier than traditional varieties.

Fertilizer

Purslane does not need to be fertilized, as long as the soil is relatively good and not too thin. A better way to improve nutrition is to use a soil amendment (such as compost) instead of fertilizer.

Types of Portulaca

The name “portulaca” refers to over 100 species of plants. Portulaca is sometimes called purslane, and is related to the succulents (P. oleracea) Many of us know of a weed that is also edible. P. umbraticola, Also known as wingpod purslane, has leaves slightly broader than P. grandiflorahave sharp, thin leaves.

Purslane grandiflora is the most commonly sold as a summer annual. There are a number of hybrids bred to produce large double flowers and a variety of colors including attractive bicolors. Here are some beautiful varieties to try:

• ‘Happy Hour™ Tropical Mix’ (bright colors include pink, red, orange, peach and yellow)
• ‘Sundial’ (early flowering, grows well in cool weather, comes in a range of colours including a ‘mint’ mix with white flowers striped with deep pink)
• ‘Margarita’ (compact plant with a full growth habit, with large double flowers in a variety of rich colors including yellow, white, pink, red, orange and purple)
• ‘Mojave’ (large flowers with bright yellow stamens that come in a variety of vibrant colors including magenta, red, orange, and yellow)

Cut

Portulacas grow throughout the summer and can sometimes get a little “long” in the leaves so a little pruning may be needed to keep them neat. Remove spent flowers and cut off any buds that have dried out. Also remove buds that have turned brown and mushy, this can happen in wet weather.

Pests and problems

Portulaca is a relatively easy-care annual that is not bothered by insects or other pests. There are two potential problems to be aware of. One is poor drainage, which can lead to root rot or stem rot. Sandy soil is recommended, but adding a little loam can also help improve drainage. Be sure to avoid hard clay soil.

Another issue to watch out for is that the leaves on the portulaca plant become a little long and bushy as the season progresses. This is an easy fix: simply pinch off the long sections or prune them with a pair of scissors to keep the plant looking neat and encourage more flower buds to form.

Portulaca Breeding

You can propagate new purslane plants by taking cuttings in early to mid-summer.

1. Cut 2-4 inch long cuttings from the top of the stem.
2. Remove any spent flowers or buds and strip the leaves from the lower half of the stem.
3. You can use rooting hormone if you want, but it is not necessary. Place the cutting in moist potting soil in a pot or flower bed.
4. Water regularly, but do not overwater. The cuttings will take about a week or two to form roots, after which they can be transplanted.

How to Get Portulaca Plants to Bloom

Portulaca typically blooms in the summer. But sometimes your plant seems sluggish or slow to bloom. You can prune out spent flowers and any long foliage to encourage new growth.

What does Portulaca flower look like?

These colourful flowers are not fragrant, but their bright colours attract many pollinators. The petals are single or double, often with yellow stamens in the centre. The colour range is wide, with pastels and brights in almost every colour except blue. There are also striped and streaked bi-coloured varieties.

Blooming month

Portulaca flowers can begin blooming in late spring (mid-June) depending on the variety and continue through fall (October).

How to encourage more flowers

Portulaca produces new flower buds throughout the season. If the plant experiences particularly warm weather and is over-watered, it can produce buds very quickly and some of these buds may turn brown or wither.

You can gently “pop” these buds to clean the plant and promote the formation of healthy, fresh buds.

How long does purslane bloom?

Portulaca flowers typically last for two weeks or so, and continually produce new flowers from fresh buds throughout the season. These new buds help the flowers bloom continuously for consistent summer color.