Purslane Plant Care: Everything You Need To Know

The Purslane plant (Portulaca oleracea) also known as Little Hogweed or Pigweed is a delicious succulent plant. This plant is considered a weed so that means it can grow practically without any care. However, to grow it responsibly and in control you need to get familiar with purslane plant care.

The Purslane plant also has many nutritional benefits apart from being an extremely low-maintenance plant and other uses. Although it is an annual, portulaca can reseed. An ornamental portulaca is a common sight in the landscape, however not quite as invasive as its relative, the purslane.

So without further ado let’s explore the many benefits of the purslane plant and how you can grow and take better purslane plant care.

Benefits Of The Purslane Plant

The Purslane plant provides tons of different benefits, be it medicinal, ornamental, or culinary. This plant does it all, here are some of the benefits of the purslane plant –

• Packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, C, and E, and vital minerals like magnesium, calcium, and potassium, purslane is a nutritional powerhouse.
• It lends a tangy, lemony flavor to foods when added to salads, soups, and cooked vegetables.
• The Purslane plant has long been utilized for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities in addition to its culinary purposes.
• Moreover, its vivid blooms also lend aesthetic appeal to gardens and other outdoor spaces.
• Different types of the Purslane plant produce different blooms of various shapes and colors. So you can choose the one that fits well with the aesthetic of your garden.

These are only some of the many benefits of the purslane plant. So, make sure to consider growing many varieties of this plant. Now let’s see how we can take grow and take purslane plant care.

Purslane Plant Care 

This plant is considered a weed, therefore, purslane plant care is very easy and this plant can be grown by a gardener of any level.

Planting Purslane Plant

As long as the soil is well-drained, this drought-tolerant succulent will grow in any type of soil. Plant it in a spot that receives plenty of heat and full sun, like next to a pavement, a brick wall, or within a container. To limit spreading, mulch the area at the base of the plants and space them 8 to 10 inches apart. Water from time to time while the weather is dry.

Watering

Being a succulent, the purslane plant grows best on dry but not parched soil. It is advisable to water plants sparingly. If watered excessively, this heat-loving plant can quickly wither away. The ideal time to water this plant is when the top inch of soil is completely dry. Always use an average amount of moisture, provided the soil drains properly. Water at the base of the plant to avoid fungal issues.

The easy-care, drought-tolerant annual is perfect for gardens any time temperatures begin to warm up in early summer. The worst thing you can do is overwater the plant, especially if it’s in potting mix.

Similar read – How To Water Plants?

Light

For better purslane plant care provide direct sunlight. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours a day in direct sunlight. For the purslane to develop its vivid, brilliant flowers and succulent leaves, it needs enough sunlight.

The Purslane plant will grow best and yield more flowers in full light, while it can withstand some shade. If you’re cultivating purslane indoors, locate it close to a south-facing window so it receives lots of light, or think about adding grow lights to complement the sun’s energy.

Soil

Use any soil mix well-suited for succulent plants. Make sure that the soil has good drainage. Sandy or loamy soils are preferred for the purslane plant as they avoid waterlogging, which can cause root rot.

However, this plant is very adaptable to poor soil conditions. Making them the perfect plants for a hardy garden.

Fertilizer

The purslane plant only needs feeding during its growing season. And for better purslane plant care and growth consider using a balanced fertilizer. However, as considered invasive, this plant doesn’t require fertilization so it is recommended to refrain from feeding it.

Read more on – How To Fertilize Plants?

Pruning

Frequent pruning promotes bushier, more compact growth and aids in growth management. Trim any lanky or overgrown stems to keep the appearance of your purslane plant clean. Keep in mind that the purslane plant can become invasive, so keep an eye on its growth and pull off any undesirable foliage.

Propagation

You can easily propagate the purslane plant using various methods such as stem cuttings, division, or transplants. Here’s how you can propagate this plant –

From Seeds

• Collect seeds from a mature plant and let them dry before harvesting.
• After the last frost, sow the seeds directly in the garden; alternatively, start them indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost date.
• Since seeds require light to germinate, scatter them around the soil’s surface and gently push them there without covering them.
• Water the seeds and keep the soil moist but not soggy.
• Seedlings can take 7 to 10 days to sprout.

From Stem Cuttings

• Choose a healthy and vigorous stem for plant propagation.
• Remove the leaves from the leaves from the lower half of the stem cutting.
• Plant the cutting in a well-draining soil suitable for the purslane plant either in a pot or directly in the ground. Keep the stem cutting upright.
• Water the soil consistently until the roots grow.
• Transplant the cutting from the pot to the ground once it shows the sign of new growth.

These are the easiest ways you can use to propagate the purslane plant. For better purslane plant care it is recommended to propagate it.

Uses Of The Purslane Plant

The purslane plant has numerous uses here are some examples –

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Purslane has long been used to treat arthritis and lessen inflammation.
• Antioxidants: The purslane plant has strong antioxidants that can shield cells from harm.
• Digestive Health: In many cultures, purslane is used to treat intestinal diseases including diarrhea.
• Skin Health: Eczema and bug bites can be relieved by applying purslane juice to the skin.
• Ground Cover: Purslane’s growth habit makes it an excellent ground cover for gardens and landscapes.
• Container Gardening: Its vibrant flowers and succulent foliage make purslane a popular choice as potted plants and hanging baskets.
• Erosion Control: Purslane’s extensive root system helps stabilize soil, making it useful for erosion control on slopes and hillsides.
• Pollinator Attractor:  The beautiful blooms of this plant attract various wildlife such as bees making them pollinator-friendly plants.

Tips For Consuming Purslane

There are also many culinary uses of the purslane plant. Here’s how you can consume it –

• Salads: You may eat purslane leaves and stems uncooked, which give salads a zesty, lemony flavor.
• Soups and Stews: It can be added as a vegetable to soups and stews to give them an extra nutritional punch.
• Stir-Fries: Purslane can be cooked rapidly in a stir-frying pan alongside other veggies or meats.
• Pickles: For a tangy crispness to sandwiches and other meals, pickle the leaves and stems.
• Smoothies: To boost the vitamin and mineral content of smoothies, consider blending fresh purslane.

Conclusion

Growing the purslane plant can be a great experience because it requires little work and yields many benefits. It is a wonderful addition to any garden because of its highly nutritious content, diverse culinary uses, and lovely beauty. You can have a healthy purslane plant for the whole growing season if you follow the easy purslane plant care tips mentioned above. So make sure to add this amazing plant to your collection.