Portulaca oleracea Seeds | Purslane
LATIN NAME: Portulaca oleracea
COMMON NAME: Purslane
Plant Profile
Portulaca oleracea, commonly known as Purslane, is a succulent in the purslane family. Purslane mats low, spreading stems with thick, fleshy, spoon-shaped leaves and small, bright-yellow, five-petalled flowers that open through summer, plant covering ground with juicy, succulent green. Stems and leaves carry fresh, slightly tangy taste, and they stay crisp in the heat. It likes sun, and light, well-drained soil. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Portulaca oleracea ranges from the botany of the purslane family to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. In purslane family, species has a long, practical record in studies of succulent vegetables, and it appears in research on leaf oils, nutrient chemistry and drought tolerance. Interest from collectors and breeders has never lapsed, and good seed continues to circulate.
Uses & Benefits
Beyond its ornamental appeal, Purslane has the practical versatility that makes a plant worth growing from seed year after year. In sunny garden, purslane mats soil and feeds the table. Juicy, tangy leaves serve salads, soups and cooked dishes for generations, plant makes living mulch in hot, dry ground, and it seeds itself freely. It grows well in light, well-drained, sunny soil. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Purslane is a gourmet weed and a nutritional standout, among the richest leafy sources of omega-3 ALA, eaten from Mexico to the Mediterranean; in Chinese medicine, Ma Chi Xian, it is a classical cooling herb for the gut.
Growing from Seed
Raising Purslane from seed is straightforward. Sow on the surface of a gritty, well-drained mix, cover lightly with fine compost, and maintain gentle, even moisture in a sunny position. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Purslane settles in quickly once it finds its footing. Keep the sowing evenly moist at the start — that is the one real requirement.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Purslane often pair it with these related subjects: