How To Grow Portulaca Plants In The Garden
The Portulaca plant also known as "moss rose" is a long-blooming plant native to South America. The Portulaca flower blooms all summer long with very little maintenance. Interested in growing Portulaca? Keep reading to learn more about Portulaca care.
About Portulaca
Quick Facts:
Botanical name: Portulaca grandiflora
Height: 8 inches (20 cm)
Spread: 12 inches (30 cm)
Sun exposure: Full sun
Soil requirements: Sandy, well-drained
Hardiness zones: USDA 2-10a
When to plant: Spring
Native to the hot, dry plains of Argentina, Southern Brazil and Uruguay, Portulaca grandiflora Is both drought and heat tolerant.
First collected by Dr. John Gillies in the 1820s, moss rose is an herbaceous plant of the purslane or Portulacaceae family. It is related to the weed purslane (P. oleracea) and as such can become invasive.
This low growing annual only attains heights of about 8 inches (20 cm) and a foot (30 cm) across. Plants grow together forming a dense tangled mat filled with colorful blooms of brilliant red, orange, yellow and white. Moss rose may have either single, semi-double or double flower petals.
Like other succulents, its fleshy leaves store water. The leaves of moss rose are oblong to cylindrical, about an inch (2.5 cm) in length and laid out alternately or in small clusters.
Wild cultivars of Portulaca only bloom in the morning and close as soon as temperatures rise around midday. Cultivated cultivars of moss rose have been developed that bloom throughout the day however, not on cloudy or rainy days.
Portulaca Care
Due to its drought tolerance and low growing habit, moss rose is low-maintenance but it still has light, water, fertilizer and other requirements.
Water
Moss rose has a shallow root system so during its first few weeks, it needs supplemental water. Once the plant has established it is drought tolerant but should still be given water every 2-3 days during the hot months of summer. In the fall and spring the plants only need water every week or two and in the winter, about every 2 weeks.
Too much water can lead to root rot so plant moss rose plant in well-draining soil and water in small amounts early in the day or in the evening.
Light
Portulaca prefers at least 6 hours, preferably more, of full sun. It can tolerate partial sun of 3-6 hours but may not bloom as well.
Fertilizer
Portulaca tolerates poor soil but thrives in well-draining, fertile soil. It will benefit from a bit of organic or slow release fertilizer worked into the soil at the time of planting.
Otherwise, fertilize twice a year in the spring and fall with a balanced, water soluble fertilizer.
Pruning
There is no need to prune moss roses. If they are looking leggy in mid-summer, pinch back the stems to a side shoot and add a small amount of fertilizer. Or, you may shear the plants back to encourage fuller growth.
Also, moss roses do not require deadheading like other bloomers. There is no need to cut the dead blooms off, just gently peel off the withered flower. There will be a new bud next to the dead bloom, ready to brighten up the garden again.
Propagation
Portulaca is grown from seed or cuttings. Seed can be sown directly in the ground or started indoors about 4-8 weeks before the last frost of the season. The seeds are extremely tiny so mixing them with sand makes it easier to scatter them evenly.
Germination will take place within 1 1/2 -2 weeks. Wait until the soil has warmed and all danger of frost has passed before transplanting into the garden. Thin the seedlings to 3 inches (8 cm) apart. You can take cuttings from established plants to increase your yield.
Problems
Moss rose plants have few problems with pests or diseases. Aphids and slugs may be an issue on rare occasions. Poorly draining soil may result in crown rot.
Varieties
There are many varieties of moss rose available to cultivate and more are being developed all the time. Some varieties include Afternoon Delight, Calypso Mix, Duet, and Sundance.
There are quite a few cultivars available in sets such as the Fairy Tale series which includes Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.
Other series to incorporate in the landscape are Happy Hour, Margarita, Mojave, Rio, Sundial, and Tequila.
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