How to Grow Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)
Choose moss rose if you need a plant that flowers where it's hot and dry. This annual's flowers - bright reds, oranges, yellows, purples and pinks - glow atop green, succulent leaves. Moss rose grows 4- to 8-inches tall and spreads up to 2 feet, making it a great groundcover.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
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1
Buy newer types of moss rose, which stay open longer during the day, if possible. Old types open at noon and close at dusk and on stay closed on overcast days.
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2
Choose a spot that gets full sun. Moss rose thrives in hot, dry conditions that make other flowers wilt. Ideal spots include rock gardens, between pavers, along baked driveways or sidewalks, and in containers on patios and walks.
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3
Plant seedlings 12- to 24-inches apart, according to directions, after your region's last frost date.
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4
Water sparingly, if at all. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.
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5
Pinch off spent blooms to encourage flowering and to keep the plant tidy.
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6
Fertilize once or twice in mid- and/or late summer.
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7
Discard the plant after frost in the fall.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Moss rose thrives in strawberry jars, those clay pots with several pockets for planting. It's difficult to keep other plants well watered in a strawberry pot, but moss rose is suited to the dry conditions.
These tough plants need excellent drainage, so they're also a good choice for sandy soils and slopes.
Moss rose is tough only as long as it has plenty of sun. It needs at least 6 to 8 hours of full, direct sunlight a day.
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Comments
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Yes it was actually doing great - I started with two small probably 4" wide plants and that one had grown to almost 2 feet wide - was doing awesome and then bam - yellowed and shriveled up - thinking I must have overwatered it, but I didn't change the way I was watering or how often and no rain sooooo no clue - the other one is still ok - in the same pot - but it has only grown to about a foot wide - so totally confused as to why the one that was doing so well pooped out on me. Oh well - I'll go buy another one to start - I love those they are fairly easy to grow and my patio gets full sun - but you have to make sure you don't over water them but at the same time they need water lol - anyyyyywaaaaayyyy can't wait to see you girl.
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did you figure this out? Is your pot draining good? Meme grew these things like crazy, I love them. She had the green thumb for sure, her advise for me was always, well, you have to water them! LOL Excited to see you!
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Have I overwatered mine? The stems are turning yellow and limp. I haven't watered in a few days hoping they would bounce back, it had been growing great and then all of a sudden I have this. I'm not sure what to do - it isn't complete ly dead yet - but not sure how to helpit.
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my most lovable multicolor plant.
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From what I've seen they love the hot sun and not much watering
