How to Grow and Care for Portulaca, a Pretty Flowering Succulent

Portulaca, also known as moss rose or purslane, is a flowering annual member of the succulent family. This South American native is drought-tolerant and comes in a variety of vibrant colors that can be spotted throughout the summer when it puts out its showy blooms.  

But before you add this pretty flower to your flower bed or container garden, you’ll want to know what it needs to survive and thrive in areas outside of its native region. Ahead, we spoke to an expert to learn more about the portulaca plant, including how to grow, care for, and propagate it.

How to Plant Portulaca from Seed

Portulaca can readily be grown from seed, according to Sam Niemann, garden expert and founder of Bleume, who says these happy flowers can either be directly sown out in the garden or be sown indoors ahead of time. "If you are direct seeding portulaca, wait until after your last frost date," he says. If you want to get a jump on the process, Niemann says you can start these seeds indoors about six to eight weeks before the last frost date.

1. If sowing indoors, fill a tray with seed-starting soil mix; if sowing directly in the garden, make sure the soil is well-draining.
2. Gently press the seeds into the surface of the soil. Take care not to bury them too deep as they need light to germinate.
3. Mist the soil to settle the seeds.
4. Give your seeds access to plenty of light; if sowing indoors, consider using grow lights or a sunny windowsill.
5. Monitor the soil moisture; you'll want to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

Seeds should start to sprout in about seven to 21 days.

Caring for Portulaca

Because of where the plant originates, you’ll need to ensure you’re giving it the same kind of conditions that it’s used to receiving for optimal success. 

Light

"Portulaca thrives best in full sun, wanting at least six hours of sunlight per day," according to Niemann. Choose a bright, sunny spot in your garden so they can bloom.

Water

Since these plants are part of the succulent family, it’s no surprise they like it dry. "It is important to avoid overwatering," Niemann says. “I recommend letting the soil dry out between each watering."

Soil

Portulaca thrives when planted in well-drained, lean, sandy soil. They also do well with rocky soil, too. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH of 5.5 to 7. If planting in containers, consider using a succulent and cacti potting mix instead of a standard one.

Fertilizer

Like many annuals, Niemann says portulaca will benefit from fertilizer during the growing season. A liquid, all-purpose, or slow-release formula is best for these flowers. 

Temperature

To germinate successfully, portulaca seeds need a temperature of 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Once established, they thrive in warm temperatures above 60 degrees and can be grown as perennials in zones 10 to 12. For those in climates that experience frost, they can be treated as annuals. "Portulaca plants are frost tender and will die back at the first frost in the fall," he says. 

Types of Portulaca

According to Niemann, gardeners will encounter only one type of Portulaca: the moss rose variety Portulaca grandiflora. That said, there is a hybrid variety with flat leaves and more saucer-shaped flowers called Portulaca oleracea. 

Both flowers can come in a variety of colors and include different variations, including:

• Afternoon Delight
• Duet
• Fairy Tale
• Duet
• Happy Hour
• Mojave
• Margarita
• Tequila
• Sundial
• Sundance
• Yubi Summer Joy

Propagating Portulaca

Portulaca can be propagated by either cuttings or seeds, according to Niemann. Like most succulent plants, Niemann says portulaca is incredibly easy to propagate. 

1. Cut a section of the plant that is at least a few inches long.
2. Put the cutting into soil; within a few weeks, roots should appear.

If opting to go the seed route, you can follow the initial seed-sowing steps listed above after collecting the seeds from the pods that form where the flower buds appeared. 

Pruning Portulaca

Like most annuals, portulaca doesn’t need much pruning, according to Niemann. "I prefer to leave portulaca unpruned in my garden unless they get leggy and have long stems with flowers only at the end," he says. "If this happens, I will prune off the top third or so of the plant."

Common Problems

Niemann says that portulaca is an incredibly hardy annual and only faces a few concerns during the growing season. "The most common issue is overwatering," he says. "Overwatering can be identified by soft/mushy stems." If you’re noticing this in your garden, he says the easiest fix is to let the plant thoroughly dry out before watering again. 

As for pests, portulaca is also quite susceptible to aphids, he says. "If you notice aphids on your plants, there are a variety of organic or conventional sprays available."