How to Breed Portulaca

Pinch the seed heads from the plant once the pods are fully formed and beginning to dry. Portulaca forms pea-sized pods at the base of the flowers after the petals wilt and drop off.

Break the pods open and shake the seeds out into a bowl. Place the bowl, uncovered, in a warm, well-ventilated room and allow the seeds to dry for one to two weeks.

Store the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry place until spring. Avoid storage areas with high humidity and bright light.

Sow the seeds in 3-inch-diameter seed pots filled with moist potting soil. Plant two seeds per pot, setting them ¼ inch deep. Sow the seeds in spring, approximately six to eight weeks before the last expected frost.

Cover the pots with a plastic bag. Set them in a warm area to germinate, which takes approximately seven to 14 days.

Remove the plastic bags once sprouts appear. Move the pots to a warm, sunny window and water them when the soil surface begins to feel dry.

Transplant the portulaca to an outdoor garden bed once all danger of frost has passed. Plant the transplants in the garden at the same depth as in their pots, spacing them 1 foot apart in all directions.