Purslane Plant Features Hot, dry conditions are no match for purslane. This vigorous, low-growing annual flower thrives when the weather heats up and will slowly carpet a bed, border, or container with pretty succulent foliage and bright yellow-, orange-, or rose-, or white-colored blooms. Purslane and its close cousin portulaca will add tons of color with a minimum of care from you. The mat-like plants grow 4 to 8 inches tall so they are ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, or as a colorful groundcover tucked amid stones in a garden pathway. The cheerful, chalice-like blooms close up at night, but pop back open as soon as the sun peeks over the horizon. Purslane is also a favorite plant for hungry butterflies. Its deer resistant, too. In frost-free regions (Zones 10 and 11) purslane is treated as a tender perennial.
Purslane Growing Instructions Plant purslane in full sun and well-drained soil. If you are growing purslane in a container or basket use a commercial potting soil mix. Feed with a little slow-release granular fertilizer at planting time, but after that additional feeding is not necessary. Water whenever the soil feels dry to the touch, but dont overdo it. Purslane would rather be a bit dry than flooded. Purslane is not intended for human or animal consumption.
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is a common succulent plant that often pops up in vegetable gardens and flower beds Its thick, juicy leaves and low-growing habit lead many gardeners to mistake it for a perennial weed However, purslane is actually an annual plant in most climates. Understanding whether purslane is an annual or perennial is key to effective management and control.
The Life Cycle of Purslane
Purslane behaves as a fast-growing summer annual throughout most of its range. It completes its entire lifecycle from seed germination to seed production within a single growing season:
-
Seeds sprout in spring once soil temperatures reach at least 15°C. This usually occurs around late April or May.
-
Within 6-8 weeks after sprouting, purslane begins flowering. Small yellow blooms appear in early to midsummer, around June and July.
-
Each purslane plant can produce an astonishing number of seeds. A single plant can generate over 240000 seeds in one season! Seeds mature by late summer.
-
At the first hard frost in fall the annual purslane plant dies off completely. It does not come back the following spring.
However, purslane seeds have tremendous longevity in the soil. They can remain viable for up to 40 years. So new plants readily sprout each spring from this massive seed bank.
While individual purslane plants only live for one season, the species persists year after year thanks to prolific seed production.
Perennial Tendencies in Warm Climates
In most areas, gardeners deal with purslane as a fast-growing summer annual weed. However, in the warmest climates, purslane may exhibit perennial tendencies.
In USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9-11, where winters stay frost-free, purslane plants can survive year-round. They behave as short-lived perennials in these warm regions, coming back from root crowns and stems season after season.
Even in mild climates, purslane still relies primarily on seeds as its main reproductive strategy. But occasional perennial plants can persist, especially where gardeners actively cultivate purslane. These perennial purslanes resprout fresh growth each spring from overwintering roots and stems.
Controlling Purslane in the Garden
Whether behaving as an annual or perennial, purslane can quickly become a weedy pest. Effective control requires understanding its growth habits and lifecycle:
-
Hand pull or hoe plants before they go to seed. Even small plants can produce some viable seeds, so don’t delay!
-
Remove every piece of the plant, including broken stems and fragments. Purslane can reroot from even small fragments.
-
Use organic mulches like wood chips to block light needed for purslane seed germination. This helps suppress future generations.
-
Avoid excessive soil disturbance, as this brings buried purslane seeds to the surface where they can sprout.
-
In warm climates, remove root crowns and stems entirely to prevent perennial regrowth.
While purslane cannot be completely eradicated once established, preventing it from going to seed will reduce its spread over time. As the soil seed bank declines, this fast-growing annual becomes easier to control each season.
Eating Purslane Greens
Before removing purslane from the garden, consider tasting its tender, tangy leaves. All parts are edible both raw and cooked. Purslane contains many beneficial antioxidants, omega-3s, vitamins and minerals. So don’t be too quick to discard this fast-growing summertime “weed”!
Understanding purslane’s behavior as an annual is critical for control in the garden. But its nutritious edible qualities may make it worth tolerating in moderation. Let us know in the comments if you’ve ever tried eating this surprising garden “weed”!
Pazzazz Salmon Glow Purslane
Portulaca Pazzazz Salmon Glow
One of the best summer performers in our Trial Garden, Pazzazz Salmon Glow bloomed nonstop with peachy-orange flowers on a 6-inch-tall plant that grew 16 inches wide.
Is purslane a perennial?
FAQ
Do purslane come back every year?
Can purslane survive winter?
- Tender Annual: Purslane is an annual, meaning it completes its life cycle in one year.
- Frost Sensitivity: It’s highly sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures.
- Warm Weather Preference: Purslane thrives in warm, sunny conditions and prefers hot, dry weather.
Does purslane like sun or shade?
- Optimal Conditions: Purslane is a sun-loving plant and requires full sun for best results.
- Partial Shade: While it can tolerate some shade, it will grow more slowly and the flavor may be less intense.
- Light Requirements: Purslane needs a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
- Blooming: Full sun is crucial for purslane to flower and produce vibrant colors.
Does purslane reseed itself?
-
MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resourceshttps://www.canr.msu.eduCommon purslane, weed it or reap? – MSU ExtensionMar 22, 2011 — One could regard the survival capacity of the seeds as a benefit, as this annual can reseed itself for repeat crops. It is no accident that this ada…
Is purslane a perennial?
Purslane, also known as little hogweed, pigweed, fatweed, and pusley, is grown as a short-lived perennial in zones 10-11.
How large does a Purslane plant grow?
Grown as a short-lived perennial in zones 10-11, this drought-tolerant succulent grows to 4-8 inches tall with a width of 12-16 inches.
Do purslane plants like heat?
These plants also like it warm – the more heat, the better. If you have a hot spot next to a brick fence or cement wall where other specimens struggle, put your plants there. Purslane likes it best when the temperatures are above 70°F, and thrives even when it gets above 100°F.
Can purslane survive cold weather?
Purslane is an annual plant that will die with the first hard frost. This heat loving plant does not survive cold temperatures. However, container grown Purslane can be brought indoors during the cold weather months. Place the plant in a warm area that will get direct sunlight each day.
Can purslane be grown year-round?
You can grow purslane year-round as a microgreen, and all summer long as a vegetable. In fact, you might find the hardest part of cultivating this tangy green is keeping it from growing a little too well.
What colors do purslane flowers come in?
Grown as a short-lived perennial in zones 10-11, this drought-tolerant succulent has small flowers that bloom in yellow, orange, white, or pink. Also called little hogweed, pigweed, fatweed, and pusley, Purslane is popular for its nutritional and medicinal uses.