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

Things You'll Need:

• Fertilizers
• Garden Spades
• Garden Trowels
• Plants
• Plants

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.

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.

3. 

   Plant seedlings 12- to 24-inches apart, according to directions, after your region's last frost date.

4. Water sparingly, if at all. Allow soil to dry out between waterings.

5. 

   Pinch off spent blooms to encourage flowering and to keep the plant tidy.

6. Fertilize once or twice in mid- and/or late summer.

7. Discard the plant after frost in the fall.

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.

[buzz55]

on 8/9/2009 My plants have been growing in same terra cotta pots for (7 years now) here in Virginia. Once they die back in fall after frost, sent pots in shed to be protected from winter. Come spring when nighttime temps stay above 40 deg, I move them outside. Usually by toward end of May foilage showing thats when give them diluted drink of miracle gro, by middle to late June the flowers are emerging. Live in zone 7/8 on the line of. Friend of my wife has been doing hers even longer then me with no problems, every year they comeback.

[whitemajic]

on 4/20/2009 confused a bit here. I planed some moss roses last year and if they reseed them selves will I have to plan new ones this year? [e-mail]

[valderost]

on 3/21/2009 Portulaca won't live through a northern winter, but the plant reseeds itself if you let it. The seedlings are tiny and unrecognizable at first, but you'll know where they're growing once their distinctive leaves begin appearing. Alternatively, you can collect the seeds and start indoors. These flowers are easy to grow and need little attention.

[f20lady]

on 10/13/2008 Please help....This is my first year at growing these beautiful little flowers and I would like to know if there is anything special I need to do for Illinois winters?

[f20lady]

on 10/13/2008 HELP! I have just a small garden of these beautiful little flowers and this is the first year for them. My question is:

Do I need to do anything to protect them from the Illinois winter?

Please e-mail any suggestions to [e-mail].

Thank you.
Denise