How to Grow Purslane

Purslane Growing Guide

Miscellaneous ●
Light, sandy soil best but will grow in most locations.
Sun or partial shade preferred.
Yes, tolerates mild frosts.
Not required.
Sow direct into soil from early spring.
An easy salad crop to grow and will often fit between other plants while they are still small.

Is purslane easy to grow?
Where does purslane grow best?
Does purslane come back every year?
How long does it take purslane to grow?
How do you keep a Purslane blooming?
Is purslane toxic to humans?
Is purslane a good companion plant?
Does purslane die in winter?
How much purslane should I eat a day?
Do you deadhead purslane?
Is purslane a ground cover?
Should I cut back purslane?

Is purslane easy to grow?

Purslane plants are all too easy to grow. You can find them growing wild in your flower and vegetable gardens, as well as in cracks in your sidewalk or driveway. Purslane grows in just about any soil, from a rich, fertile soil, to dry, rocky soils. It is drought tolerant.

Where does purslane grow best?

All purslane needs to grow is part to full sun and clear ground. The plants aren't picky about soil type or nutrition, but purslane does tend to grow better in drier soil. If you decide to plant purslane seeds, simply scatter the seeds over the area where you plan on growing the purslane.

Does purslane come back every year?

Purslane is an annual succulent plant. Purslane, scientific name Portulaca oleracea, is an annual, edible succulent plant.

How long does it take purslane to grow?

Seedlings take seven to 10 days to sprout after planting. Once they've sprouted and have formed a few true leaves, thin them to 8 inches apart. You can also start seeds indoors at least three weeks before the last frost.

How do you keep a Purslane blooming?

As a general rule, portulaca needs six to eight hours of sunlight per day. Deadheading may be impractical when Purslane is in full bloom, but removing old blooms is extremely effective for stimulating new blooms on a poorly blooming plant.

Is purslane toxic to humans?

They are poisonous and should not be consumed.

The most consistent distinguishing characteristic is that the leaves and stems of spurges exude a white latex when broken; purslane does not.

Is purslane a good companion plant?

Purslane as a Companion Plant

This led me to try it as a regular companion plant in the garden. When it volunteers, I let it spread between garden plants to protect the soil. Vine crops like cucumbers crawl over the top of it. Taller crops like corn or peppers eventually shade it out.

Does purslane die in winter?

Imagine how gardeners in those places must hate it! In Montana every purslane plant dies every winter. Next year's plants come from seed produced in previous years. Since they must start anew from seed, the first purslane plants do not become visible until mid-June.

How much purslane should I eat a day?

Dosing. Limited clinical studies are available to provide dosage guidelines; however, 180 mg/day of purslane extract has been studied in diabetic patients, and powdered seeds have been taken at 1 to 30 g daily in divided doses, as well as both ethanol and aqueous purslane extracts.

Do you deadhead purslane?

You don't have to deadhead the flowers to keep portulaca blooming all season long, but you can pinch or cut the long stems to remove spent blossoms if you want to prevent self-seeding, shape your plants or keep them in bounds.

Is purslane a ground cover?

The ground cover is not only edible, it grows fast and requires no maintenance. Gandhi listed it among plants that should be grown to help people be self-sustaining. But to many gardeners, purslane is a weed.

Should I cut back purslane?

I always grow the cultivated purslane in lots of different colors. They are a very hardy plant. I don't deadhead either. As the summer goes by I do cut them back when they begin to get leggy.