Portulaca
- Phonetic Spelling
- por-tchew-LAK-ah
- Description
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Portulaca is a genus of annual plants in the Portulacaceae family. It has succulent leaves and colorful, showy flowers, growing well in containers. It can be grown as a houseplant as well.
This plant does best in full sun or bright direct light and very well-drained soil. Remove the spent blooms if growing outside to prevent self-seeding.
Quick ID:
- Procumbent or decumbent stems
- Thin, fleshy leaves about 1 inch in length
- Leaves cluster at stem tips and joints
- Heart-shaped petals that close at night or cloudy days
VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. grandiflora, P. oleracea
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- P. grandiflora, P. oleracea
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Portulaca
- Family:
- Portulacaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Across the globe
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Ground Cover
- Houseplant
- Succulent
- Habit/Form:
- Spreading
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- A capsule containing many tiny seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers have heart-shaped petals and usually five per flower, though double-flowered cultivars and hybrids exist. They are usually one inch across and come in ranges of yellow, orange, red, pink, and white. They close at night and on cloudy days.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are sessile, having no petiole, and tend to cluster at the stem tips and joints. They may take on a reddish tinge if grown in direct sunlight.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
