Portulaca plants are succulent, annual flowering plants native to the Americas, Africa, and Eurasia. They are drought tolerant and thrive in sandy, well-drained soils. They have thick, fleshy leaves and stems, and form low-growing mats of foliage. The flowers are usually brightly colored and come in a variety of shades including yellow, pink, purple, and red. Portulaca plants are easy to care for and require minimal maintenance. They are great for adding color to a garden and can be used as a ground cover or in containers.
Planning Your Garden With Portulaca
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Portulaca is an annual. |
| USDA Zone | Portulaca is hardy IN USDA Zones 2-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Portulaca is a fairly cold-tolerant plant, able to survive temperatures down to 25. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest portulaca is usually around 45 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown portulaca plant is 6-12 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Portulaca is a low-maintenance, drought-tolerant annual flower that grows best when spaced 6 to 8 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Portulaca is a very sun-tolerant plant and can handle full sun exposure. It is best to keep the soil moist but not soggy. |
| Shade tolerance | Portulaca is a sun-loving plant and prefers full sun. It can tolerate light shade, but it will not produce as many blooms when grown in shade. |
| Water requirements | Portulaca, also known as moss rose, is a drought-tolerant plant that prefers well-draining soil and infrequent watering. It is best to water portulaca deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. The plant should be watered only when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Too much water can lead to root rot and other diseases. In hot climates, portulaca may need to be watered more frequently, but still allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing portulaca depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. Apply the fertilizer at a rate of 1/2 teaspoon per square foot of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing portulaca is 6.0-7.5. |
Why Portulaca is Popular
People like to grow portulaca because it is easy to grow and maintain, requires minimal care, and is very attractive in the garden. The flowers come in a variety of colors, and the foliage is attractive and low-maintenance. The plant is also drought tolerant, making it suitable for areas with limited water resources.
Companion Plants For Portulaca
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for portulaca include:
Common Pests For Portulaca
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow portulaca, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
