|
|
|
Last Updated: Jan 10, 2007 - 10:15:57 AM |
Portulaca, an annual from the Portulacaceae (Purslane) family, is very easy to grow and provides an excellent variety of colors to enjoy in your garden or in a sunny indoor spot. This plant is also known as Moss Rose. You can find Portulaca flowers in practically every color, which gives you a diverse palette to work with. You can grow it from seed and it is also readily available as starter plants at your local nursery. Portulaca works great in rock gardens, planted alongside paved areas, and cascading out of containers. This site from Colorado State University has information on Portulaca and other heat loving plants.
This colorful plant with thick needle like leaves is a drought tolerant succulent that appreciates full sun and well-drained soil. It will grow to about six inches in height and matures quickly. It spreads out wide, making it useful for a groundcover as well. The flowers open to about 1 inch and are fully open in the morning and typically close up during the heat of the day. There are varieties that stay open longer, so make sure to tell the staff of your favorite nursery that you want these longer-blooming Portulacas.
Portulaca is a native of South America. The name Portulaca comes from Latin and means “to carry milk.” “Porto” means to carry, and “lac” means milk. This name alludes to the milky sap of some varieties.
If you decide to grow your plants from seed, note that the seeds are rather tiny, so be careful as you spread them. Sow the seeds directly where you want them to grow. To plant Portulaca from nursery bought seedlings, keep them widely separated, around one to two feet apart. Make sure to wait until the last frost of spring to plant and once planted, water your seedlings infrequently as they grow. You should start to get flowers once the weather gets nice and hot. As your plants produce more and more flowers, you can pluck off old flowers to keep more blooms coming and keep your plant attractive.
Your plants will require very little maintenance if you remember the golden rule of the Portulaca: Hot, Dry, and Sunny. If you choose, you can fertilize your plant once or twice during the growing season with an organic fertilizing product. Garrett Juice Organic Fertilizer is a great natural product that works well with ornamental plants.
© Copyright 2005 GardenPlantCare.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
