Scientific Name
Portulaca grandiflora Hook.
Common Name(s)
Moss Rose, Moss Rose Purslane, Rose Moss, Mexican Rose, Sun Rose, Sun Plant, Rock Rose, Eleven O'Clock
Synonym(s)
Portulaca pilosa subsp. grandiflora
Scientific Classification
Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca
Description
Portulaca grandiflora is a small, fast-growing annual succulent with long, branched, upright or ascending stems with thick fleshy leaves. It grows up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. Leaves are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and arranged alternately or in small clusters. Flowers are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, variably red, orange, pink, white, and yellow, have five petals, and appear from late spring to frost. They do not open on cloudy or rainy days and close up from sundown to sunup.
Etymology
The specific epithet "grandiflora" means large-flowered.
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 the 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 to areas they are not wanted. However, 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 have a chance to 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 needed. Just a light watering will do when they are watered, 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. If starting Portulaca indoors, then start about one and a half months in advance.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.
Origin
This species is native to Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay.
Links
- Back to genus Portulaca
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
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