Scientific Name
Portulaca gilliesii Hook.
Synonym(s)
Portulaca arenicola, Portulaca tinctoria
Scientific Classification
Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca
Description
Portulaca gilliesii is an annual succulent with fleshy, often reddish, prostrate, ascending, or erect stems. It grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are thick, fleshy, and arranged alternately or in small clusters.
The flowers are small with five reddish-purple petals and appear in late spring.
Hardiness
It is grown as an annual plant, so it has no USDA hardiness zone.
How to Grow and Care
Portulacas tolerate many kinds of soil but prefer sandy, well-drained soil and love full sunlight. These plants are excellent for high heat and drought tolerance and will seed and spread themselves very well. Some control methods may be needed to keep Portulacas from becoming invasive in areas where they are not wanted, but these wonderful plants do spread easily and very well.
These succulents require no attention at all when growing and flowering. However, you should remove them from the garden before Portulacas can set seeds, as they may take over the garden. You do not need to water often for proper Portulaca care. The cylindrical foliage of the plants retains moisture very well. Thus, regular watering is not required. When they are watered, just a light watering will do, as their root zone is very shallow.
The seeds of Portulacas should be sown on the soil surface following the last frost of spring. Ideally, these plants should be grown in a sunny part of the garden. Starting Portulaca indoors, start about one and a half months in advance.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.
Origin
Portulaca gilliesii is native to India and the Middle East.
Links
- Back to genus Portulaca
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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