Portulaca, also commonly known as Moss Rose, is a low-growing annual groundcover popular for its ability to thrive in hot, dry conditions. Portulaca is generally considered deer resistant and is not a preferred food source for deer in most environments. While no plant is completely immune from being sampled by a hungry animal, deer typically pass over Portulaca in favor of softer, more palatable foliage.
Physical Traits That Deter Deer
The primary reason deer avoid Portulaca lies in its unique physical characteristics, which make it unappealing for grazing. Portulaca plants are succulents, meaning their leaves and stems are thick and fleshy. This succulent texture is often described as slightly mucilaginous, which is not preferred by deer and other large herbivores.
The leaves also contain compounds that contribute to an undesirable flavor profile. The plant’s makeup includes certain bitter substances that make it less palatable than surrounding vegetation. This combination of gummy texture and bitter flavor results in Portulaca being categorized as “rarely damaged” by deer. However, if food sources are extremely scarce, such as during a severe drought or harsh winter, a deer may graze on plants it would normally ignore. The unsuitability of Portulaca’s texture and taste typically serves as a natural deterrent under normal conditions.
Addressing Other Common Garden Pests
If you notice damage to your Portulaca, despite its resistance to deer, the cause is likely a smaller garden pest. Slugs and snails are frequent culprits, leaving behind irregular holes in the leaves and a telltale silvery, slimy trail across the foliage and soil.
Rabbits and groundhogs are also known to occasionally feed on Portulaca, especially when the plants are young and tender. Damage from rabbits usually appears as clean, angled cuts on the stems, as they use their sharp incisors to snip off parts of the plant. Groundhogs tend to be less neat, often leaving behind ragged chew marks on the leaves and stems as they forage.
Other smaller pests like the purslane sawfly, leafminer weevils, and aphids can also affect Portulaca. The sawfly and weevil larvae create tunnels within the leaves. Correctly identifying the specific type of damage is the first step toward protecting your Moss Rose from these smaller grazers.