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Portulaca

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
por-tchew-LAK-ah
Description

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:
#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#groundcover#filler#container plant#hsc#hsc-s#spiller#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
P. grandiflora, P. oleracea
Tags:
#heat tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#succulent#groundcover#filler#container plant#hsc#hsc-s#spiller#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Portulaca
    Family:
    Portulacaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Across the globe
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Ground Cover
    Houseplant
    Succulent
    Habit/Form:
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    A capsule containing many tiny seeds.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Heat