Scientific Name
Portulaca pilosa L.
Common Name(s)
Kiss Me Quick, Pink Purslane, Chisme, Shaggy Portulaca, Hairy Pigweed, Hairy Portulaca, Rose Purslane, Rose-flowered Purslane, Seashore Purslane
Synonym(s)
Portulaca pilosa var. pilosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Portulacaceae
Subfamily: Portulacarioideae
Genus: Portulaca
Origin
Portulaca pilosa is native to the Americas.
Description
Portulaca pilosa is an annual or short-lived perennial with prostrate, suberect to erect stems and fleshy, slightly flattened leaves. The stems can grow up to 10 inches (25 cm) long. They are smooth but have tufts of soft, long hairs in the leaf axils. The leaves are linear or narrowly ovate, growing up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) wide.
The pink, purple, or magenta flowers appear in terminal clusters of 1 to 6 from late spring to early fall. They can reach up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) in diameter. The fruits are ovoid capsules measuring 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) in diameter.
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 grow and spread themselves well. Some control methods may be needed to keep Portulacas from becoming invasive in areas that are not wanted, but these beautiful plants spread easily and very well.
These succulents require no attention 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, so regular watering is not required. When they are watered, 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, do it about one and a half months in advance.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Portulaca.
Links
- Back to genus Portulaca
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
Click on a photo to see a larger version.
