Perky portulaca brightens the garden with festive blooms all summer long.
The flowers of portulaca close at night and reopen the next morning.
Its lushsucculent leavesand vibrant colors evoke a sense of the tropics.
Credit:Diana Kirby
The slow-spreading, low-maintenance, xeric plant thrives in even the hottest, driest summers.
Portulaca attracts pollinators such as wild bees, but not every hybrid flower is equally attractive to pollinators.
Experiment with different varieties to see which gets the most visitors.
Portulaca contains soluble calcium oxalates that are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.
Plant Attributes
Care
Portulaca makes an excellent ground cover orhanging basket.
Space plants from 8 to 12 inches apart at the front of a border when planting in the garden.
Allow the soil to dry between waterings and fertilize lightly if at all.
Light
Portulaca thrives in full sun.
On cloudy or rainy days, the blooms stay closed.
The flowers reopen with the arrival of bright sunlight.
Portulaca prefers average to lean soil fertility and doesn’t mind shallow or rocky soil.
In containers, use a well-draining potting mix.
In the landscape, amend soil with course sand or organic matter to improve drainage where needed.
Heavy clay soils can lead to crown rot, so plant in containers instead.
This plant is moderately salt tolerant and good forcoastal gardens.
The plants will grow and bloom more vigorously when they receive about an inch of water per week.
Overwatering can lead to rot, especially in poorly drained soils.
Temperature And Humidity
Summer-loving portulaca can withstand high heat anddry weather conditions.
It tolerates the high humidity of the Southeast but suffers with too much moisture.
Fertilizer
Minimal fertilizer is needed for portulaca as it typically withstands neglect.
An all-purpose, slow-release flower fertilizer can be applied mid-summer to encourage new growth if desired.
Too much fertilizer may prevent blooming.
Types Of Portulaca
Portulaca is often sold without a cultivar name and simply labeled by the speciesP.
umbraticola, though most are likely hybrids.P.
grandiflora, or moss rose, has needle-shaped foliage.
Some come with double flowers.P.
umbraticolais sometimes called wingpod purslane because of its oblong leaves.P.
It has invasive potential and is considered a noxious weed in Arizona.
The hybrids sold at garden centers are much moreornamental plants.
Here are a few popular series:
Pruning
Portulaca doesn’t require much pruning.
Deadheading the plants may encourage them to bloom later into fall.
Germination is most successful when the soil temperature is 70-75F.
Potting And Repotting Portulaca
Portulaca is shallow-rooted and does not need a deep container.
Containers must have adequate drainage.
Use a lightweight potting mix, adding perlite if needed to improve drainage.
Arrange plants closely together and allow the foliage to trail over the sides for a fuller look.
Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings.
Portulaca may be repotted, but its roots are sensitive to disturbance.
Choose a larger pot with drainage holes and room for growing roots.
Add perlite or peat moss to potting mix for well-draining soil.
Carefully remove the plant from its pot, being careful not to damage the delicate roots.
Water sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Overwintering
Portulaca are annuals that grow, flower, and set seed in only one growing season.
They do not survive frosts.
If you allow your portulaca to set seed, you may see new seedlings emerge the following spring.
you’re free to spray water on the plants to dislodge pests or spray foliage with insecticidal soap.
Birds, chipmunks, orsquirrels may eat portulacabecause it retains water in its leaves.
Diseased sections should be removed and disposed of.
Water early in the day to allow soil to dry out before cooler evening temperatures.
Shade may prevent blooming, and flowers won’t open in dim lighting.
Over-fertilizing the plants can also interfere with blooming.
On some varieties, deadheading can help prolong the bloom season into fall.
check that to water sparingly.
Common Problems
Portulaca has few issues outside of those sparked by overwatering or pests.
Here are two common problems that gardeners face.
Seedlings in 4-inch containers can be planted closely togetherabout 6 inches apartto achieve a fuller look.
Use clean pruners tosnip off the tipsof stems to encourage more flowering.
Portulaca often does self-sow.
Allow seeds to ripen at the end of the season and you may see new seedlings in spring.
However, offspring may look different than the original plants.
Portulaca can be started by seed indoors, but it’s a challenge to keep as a houseplant.
It needs strong lighting and, as an annual, has a naturally short lifespan.
Missouri Botanical Garden.Portulaca grandiflora.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.Portulaca.
