Besides the colorful and vibrant ornamental purslane, there are its garden counterparts, which, while not as striking in their floral beauty, have a number of valuable medicinal properties and are readily grown by gardeners and homesteaders. Today, we're interested in the ornamental purslane: we'll tell you how to grow it from seed and when to plant it, and we recommend you grow this enchanting beauty, so undemanding and easy to grow.
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Purslane attracts gardeners with its vibrant flowers and varied shades. Besides creating a colorful carpet on its own, it also looks stunning in rock gardens, flowerbeds, and garden paths. Double varieties of purslane are juicy and fleshy, thrive in full sun, and even tolerate poor soil. They require minimal watering and require no fertilizing at all—isn't this a wonderful plant?
Give your purslane a sunny, open spot where it can spread its branches freely, and it will delight you with its wonderful, long-lasting, and vibrant blooms. Incidentally, purslane doesn't like soil that's too rich in nutrients—it withers and its blooms diminish. So, give purslane the worst, but sunniest, spots.
Planting seeds directly into the ground
In southern regions, purslane, especially its double-flowered varieties, can be sown directly into the ground. To do this, dig the beds, thoroughly loosen them, water them, then simply scatter the seeds evenly, without trying to crowd them. Germination is quite high, and thinning them out can be a hassle, especially if you're sowing a large area.
To ensure that the seeds germinate well, they need to be covered before germination, and then, once the sprouts have emerged, remove the cover after a week, water them, and wait for the results.
Tip: The seeds are tiny, so be extremely careful when watering to avoid washing them away. Use a watering can with a nozzle and water carefully.
Planting through seedlings
Some varieties are best grown from seedlings, and then transplanted into the ground once established. Planting is the same, but small greenhouses are recommended. High humidity and temperature are ideal for active purslane growth, while diffused light and regular irrigation will complete the job.
In a week or two (if the conditions are right), the sprouts will delight you with their appearance. Don't worry if they look thin and fragile; in a couple of weeks, your plants will gain strength and become robust, and will tolerate transplanting into the ground perfectly.
When the seedlings grow and reach at least 3 cm, they can be transplanted into individual cups, and this is necessary, because purslane grows not only in height but also in width, so it is necessary to give the sprouts additional space in time.
Thin out the seedlings, discarding the weak ones ruthlessly, while the strong, sturdy shoots will be just right for transplanting and will thrive. Don't plant too densely, as you won't be able to thin them out later.
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Planting in the ground
Purslane loves warmth. Even the slightest frost will seriously damage it. Therefore, by mid-May, when you decide to plant them in the garden, be sure the risk of frost has passed. After digging and thoroughly moistening the soil in an open, sunny spot, you can transplant the plants, which have gained strength and are ready to leave their small home for the garden's open spaces. Carefully transfer the plants to small holes spaced about 15 cm apart. Then, just water and weed, and the plants will do the rest.
A little about terry purslane
The most undemanding is the double purslane, which grows in bushes up to 20 centimeters tall, fleshy, juicy, and fragile. The flowers are large, peony-like, very decorative, and produce a seed pod, which, once collected, can be used to grow this beauty anywhere. Once collected, you can easily plant purslane in pots or containers on balconies, terraces, and gazebos, creating a beautiful and vibrant bloom anywhere. Incidentally, once planted, purslane will disperse and replant on its own the following year, so it's worth taking this easy and beautiful flower seriously.
Popular varieties of purslane
- Amber Coast - large, rose-like double flowers, grows well in poor soil, an indispensable plant for borders and rock gardens.
- Sunny Glare – large, clear flowers, delicate, lush bloom, similar to roses, drought-resistant, unpretentious.
- Cherry Illusion is a wonderful trailing variety that can be planted in pots, used to decorate rock gardens, and is beautiful on balconies and terraces.
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