Purslane flowers, known for their vibrant, cup-shaped blooms and succulent foliage, are a popular and easy-to-care-for choice for gardeners. These low-growing plants add continuous color to garden beds, containers, and hanging baskets, thriving in warm conditions.
Essential Growing Conditions
Sunlight
Purslane flowers thrive in full sunlight, requiring at least six to eight hours of direct sun daily for optimal growth and abundant blooms. Insufficient light can result in leggy growth and fewer flowers. These plants also appreciate heat, flourishing in warm locations like near sidewalks or brick walls.
Soil
Purslane requires well-draining soil, as it is sensitive to excessive moisture. While tolerating poor or sandy soils, purslane flourishes in slightly fertile and loose substrates. Avoid heavy, waterlogged soils, which can cause root rot. For container growing, a commercial potting mix for succulents or cacti is suitable.
Watering
As succulents, purslane stores water in its fleshy leaves and stems, making it highly drought-tolerant. It prefers dry soil conditions. Water only when the top inch of soil feels dry. Overwatering is a common issue leading to root rot, so allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Ongoing Care for Abundant Blooms
Fertilizing
Purslane generally does not require heavy fertilization, especially in good soil. Over-fertilizing, particularly with high-nitrogen formulations, can promote leafy growth over flowers. A balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer or diluted liquid feed applied once at planting can support healthy growth and more blooms. For container-grown purslane, a water-soluble fertilizer can be applied monthly during the growing season.
Pruning and Deadheading
Pruning purslane maintains its shape and encourages bushier growth, leading to a denser flower display. Trimming overgrown stems by about two inches promotes new growth. Deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, prevents the plant from expending energy on seed production. This encourages more blooms throughout the growing season, extending the flowering period.
Addressing Common Challenges
Lack of blooms often stems from insufficient sunlight or over-fertilization with nitrogen. Ensure the plant receives at least six hours of direct sun and use a balanced fertilizer. Leggy growth, characterized by long, stretched stems, indicates inadequate light or a need for light pruning for a more compact form. While generally resistant, purslane can encounter root rot if overwatered, leading to yellowing leaves. Improve soil drainage and allow the soil to dry between waterings to prevent this.
Winter Care and Longevity
Most cultivated purslane varieties are annuals, completing their life cycle within one growing season and dying back with the first hard frost. In warmer climates (USDA Zones 10 and 11), some purslane types may behave as short-lived perennials. Gardeners in colder regions can collect seeds from mature plants for the following season, as purslane readily self-seeds. Container-grown purslane can be brought indoors to a warm, sunny location to overwinter, though growth may slow.