What to plant in EXTreme Heat!
Portulaca, also known as moss rose, or sun rose, or even purslane; features pretty ruffled, dwarf-like, rose shaped flowers (to 1” diameter) balancing atop a dark green mat of ground cover.
Portulaca produces vividly colored blooms such as red, yellow, white, orange, purple and pink.
The plant has succulent leaves that are fleshy and narrow and will grow 8 inches tall and 1 foot wide.
The plant is native to South America, but it is said that they were brought to Arizona from India. 🤷🏻♀️
Portulaca (pronounced porch-u-laca) can be an annual or a perennial in Arizona and is a succulent herb. They will last all year but the blooms are brighter, more beautiful and far more noticable in the dry desert landscape during our summer months.
An eye-catching statement when used as a border edging, as a ground cover, or in containers. They will overflow in a container and make a nice display and they aren’t scratching if brushed against as many desert succulent plants are prickly. Portulaca, always a welcome sight, grows well in hot climates, is drought tolerant, and requires minimal moisture to bloom. It can take the heat, and full sun, but will thrive and be abundant if planted where it gets morning sun and some shade by mid day.
The blooms open at around 9:00 am and begin to close in the early evening, depending on the temperature.
The plant requires no soil amendment, in fact that is what it is known for… growing well in yucky soil ( dry and gritty ).
It will spread, so it can be interspersed among other bushes or decorative garden artwork, or around boulders or fence posts.
It’s low growing with nice dark green foliage and provides just that little splash of color when you least expect it. I don’t recommend pruning or pinching the dead flowers off until after 11:00 am. If it hasn't opened by then, that is the time to pop it off.
A low, slow 7-8 minute watering once a week is all it takes to live. Twice a week will make the plant very happy. If fact, too much water will hurt the plant. Therefore we have never placed ours along our daily drip system.
Portulaca are found in any garden center in the Southwest from May-September OR…. you can easily start your own. One of the easiest to propagate by seed or by cuttings. Choose an area in your garden that gets sun all day long. Mix or rake up your soil to avoid dirt clods, then take a 2-5 inch cutting with bottom leaves removed, and place bare stem down into soil. Water deeply and leave until soil is dry again. Fertizling is not necessary.
Caution. Portulaca is toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
Folklore says that portulaca leaves are used for antioxidant and/or antibacterial activity and was used in the treatment of scurvy. In Chinese medicine it has been used to treat various tumors.
Portulaca contains the highest content of vitamin A among green leafy vegetables, playing a role in vision health and also benefits mucus membranes so, good for lungs. The plant leaves also hold a high content of other daily recommended vitamins, C, Magnesium, Riboflavin and Thiamine according to the NIH.