🌿 Purslane: Growing Guide
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) grows best in full sun with little water, and does well at 10–38 °C (50–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 5.5–7.5. Space plants about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart. Expect 30–50 days.
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Portulaca oleracea |
|---|---|
| Category | Vegetables |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Low |
| Plant spacing | 20 cm (7.9 in) |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Comfortable temperature | 10–38 °C (50–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 30–50 days |
| Sowing depth | 0.3 cm (0.1 in) |
| Height | 10–30 cm (3.9–12 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Continental | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Subtropical | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||
| Cold / Northern | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Sow | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Sow | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Sow: Jan, Jul · Harvest: Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Jun–Sep, Dec–Mar.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Sow: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Sow: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–May, Sep–Oct.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Drought tolerant.
Growing tips
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Used in Greek cuisine. Eaten as salad or boiled. Self-seeds.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Frequently asked questions
Purslane: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Sow: Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Sow: May · Harvest: Jun–Aug. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Sow: Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Purslane: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 8 days in winter. Drought tolerant.
Purslane: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 20 cm (7.9 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 0.3 cm (0.1 in).
Purslane: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 30–50 days.
Purslane: which plants grow well with it?
Carrot, Squash.
Plan your garden
Add Purslane to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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