Purslane Portulaca oleracea
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an annual vegetable in the Portulacaceae family, native to Uncertain; cosmopolitan since antiquity. It grows 5–25 cm (2–10 in) tall and 30–50 cm (12–20 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Purslane in your garden →
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Purslane at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Portulacaceae |
| Mature height | 5–25 cm (2–10 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–50 cm (12–20 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | about 4–6 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 50 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: leaves and stems (raw or cooked; rich in omega-3) |
| Native to | Uncertain; cosmopolitan since antiquity |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇮🇳 India, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇮🇱 Israel |
Is Purslane toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: all parts
Soluble oxalates; listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs in quantity.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Purslane
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Purslane
- How far apart should I plant Purslane?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–50 cm (12–20 in).
- Does Purslane need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Purslane need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Purslane?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Purslane flower?
- About 4–6 weeks after planting, for 9–14 weeks.
- Is Purslane poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Soluble oxalates; listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs in quantity.
- What grows well with Purslane?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Purslane. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants For A Future database, PFAF
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- A salad green in fattoush and Greek salads; also a self-seeding garden weed.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Moss rose (portulaca) Portulaca grandiflora
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- Potato Solanum tuberosum
- Bell pepper Capsicum annuum
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Carrot Daucus carota subsp. sativus
- Cucumber Cucumis sativus