How to Grow Moss Rose

Portulaca Germination Information

Portulaca is the botanical name for Moss Rose
Portulaca Seed Germination How to Sow Portulaca:
  • Best sown indoors at alternating temperatures of 68 and 86° with germination occurring in 10-15 days
  • Can also be sown outdoors after all danger of frost is past in the spring
  • Seeds are very small
  • When sowing seed outdoors, we recommend a maximum planting depth of 4X the width of the seed

How to Grow Portulaca:
Transplanting: Transplant when there are at least two sets of true leaves

Spacing: Plant out 12-24 inches apart in full sun and a sandy, dry, well-drained soil

Lighting: Grow on under long days (11 hours or more) and full sun to induce flowering

Additional Care: Water plants to establish them, otherwise grow on the dry side. Very tolerant of heat and drought and will readily self-sow around the garden

Appearance and Use:

A good plant for dry beds and borders, in containers and rock gardens, and as edging material. The plants grow only 4-6 inches tall, but spread to 2 feet. The will be covered all summer long in 21/2 inch diameter flowers that are colored pink, red, gold, yellow, cream, white, or salmon and sometimes striped or flecked with a contrasting color. The petals are satin-textured and ruffled in appearance. Petal arrangement is either single and cup-shaped or double and rose-like in appearance. Flowers open during the day and close at night; likewise, they close on cloudy days. Leaves are green, 1 inch long, thin, cylindrical, and succulent


About Portulaca:
Pronunciation:  pôr-tu-lå’kå gran-di-flo’ra
Lifecycle:  Annual
Origination: Portulacaceae; native to South America
Common Name: Moss Rose