Plant Care for Portulacas

Two common portulaca varieties are moss rose and purslane. Purslane is an edible weed while moss rose is an ornamental flower. Despite some differences, in general, all portulaca cultivars like heat and direct sun, and are also easy-going when it comes to soil type. Their needs are similar to those of other annual flowers: They thrive in rich soil and require regular watering. Without much effort on your part, your portulaca will look good in a rock garden, hanging basket or as an edging.

Shovel
Rake
Compost
10-10-10 fertilizer
Pea gravel
Water
Mulch
Shears

Instructions

- 1
  Break up the soil to a depth of 10 inches and blend it in with compost at least two weeks before planting day. In addition, add 1 lb. of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of flowerbed. If you have clay soil, mix in 2 inches of pea gravel to improve drainage. Smooth out the surface with a rake and water the soil.
- 2
  Plant either the seeds or seedlings in full sun when the ground warms up in the spring. Water the soil. Continue to give your portulaca plants 5 gallons (1 inch) of water every week until frost kills them in the fall. Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
- 3
  Add a 3-inch layer of mulch to the flowerbed after planting. This will help conserve moisture and reduce weeds. When any weeds sprout, pull them right away.
- 4
  Apply 1/4 lb. of a 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 square feet of flowerbed two months after planting. Water the soil as well as the plants to remove any fertilizer residue from the foliage.
- 5
  Cut the spent flowers that have gone to seed if your plants stop blooming. This will encourage flower production again.

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