Portulaca grandiflora (Moss Rose)

Scientific Name

Portulaca grandiflora Hook.

Common Names

Moss Rose, Moss Rose Purslane, Rose Moss, Mexican Rose, Sun Rose, Sun Plant, Rock Rose, Eleven O'Clock

Synonyms

Portulaca pilosa subsp. grandiflora

Scientific Classification

Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca

Description

Portulaca grandiflora is a small, fast-growing, annual plant up to 12 inches (30 cm) tall. The leaves are thick and fleshy, up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and arranged alternately or in small clusters. The flowers are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter with 5 petals, variably red, orange, pink, white and yellow.

Photo via wikipedia.org

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 where they are not wanted. 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 Portulaca have chance to set seed 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. 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. If starting Portulaca indoors then start about one and a half months in advance.

Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.