Greetings from the plant kingdom! We are Portulaca grandiflora, commonly known as Moss Rose or Purslane. We are a diverse group of low-growing, succulent annuals prized for our vibrant, rose-like flowers that come in a brilliant array of colors. To help us thrive in your US garden and reward you with a spectacular, sun-loving display from spring until the first frost, please follow these care guidelines drawn from our inherent needs.
We are true sun worshippers. To perform at our best, we require a location with full, direct sunlight for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. This intense light fuels our photosynthesis, encouraging prolific blooming and preventing our stems from becoming weak and leggy. We are highly heat-tolerant and thrive in the warm summer temperatures found across most of the United States. We are, however, extremely sensitive to cold. Plant us outdoors only after all danger of frost has passed in the spring, as even a light frost will be fatal to us.
Our succulent nature means we store water in our fleshy leaves and stems. Consequently, we demand exceptionally well-draining soil. Soggy, waterlogged conditions are our greatest enemy and will quickly lead to root rot. We prefer a sandy, gritty, or rocky soil mix. If your garden soil is heavy clay, amend it generously with sand, perlite, or fine gravel to dramatically improve drainage. We are not fussy about soil fertility and actually prefer poor to average soil. Rich, heavily amended soils can promote excessive foliage growth at the expense of our beautiful flowers.
Once established, we are remarkably drought-tolerant. Our deep root systems allow us to seek out moisture, and our succulent leaves conserve water efficiently. Water us deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between watering sessions. A good rule is to wait until our leaves appear slightly less plump. During the peak of summer heat, you may need to water us once or twice a week, but always check the soil moisture first. Overwatering is a far more common and serious problem than underwatering for our species.
We are light feeders. As natives to arid, less fertile regions, we do not require frequent fertilization. In fact, too much fertilizer, especially nitrogen-rich formulas, will encourage an overabundance of green foliage and significantly reduce flowering. If you feel the need to feed us, a single application of a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season is more than sufficient. Alternatively, a half-strength dose of a liquid bloom booster fertilizer once per month can be used to support flower production.
We complete our entire life cycle—from seed to flower to seed—in a single growing season. You can easily propagate us from seeds sown directly in the garden after the last frost. Simply press the tiny seeds into the soil surface, as they need light to germinate. We also root easily from stem cuttings. Because we are annuals, we will not return after winter, but we often self-seed readily, dropping seeds that may germinate and produce new plants in the same location the following spring.
