Also known as Moss Rose · 65 gardener saves
Portulaca: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Portulaca, the genus most gardeners know as moss rose. We track 8 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 8 most-saved Portulaca varieties
Of 8 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPortulaca Double Magenta
Portulaca oleracea 'ColorBlast Double Magenta'
#2 most savedPortulaca Double Coconut
Portulaca oleracea 'ColorBlast Double Coconut'
#3 most savedCommon Purslane
Portulaca oleracea
Mojave Red Purslane
Portulaca umbraticola 'Mojave Red'
Mojave Fuchsia Purslane
Portulaca umbraticola 'Mojave Fuchsia'
Portulaca Double Yellow
Portulaca oleracea 'ColorBlast Double Yellow'
Mojave Tangerine Portulaca
Portulaca umbraticola 'Mojave Tangerine'
Mojave Yellow Portulaca
Portulaca umbraticola 'Mojave Yellow'
How to grow Portulaca
What the Portulaca varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Portulaca year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant transplants or sow seeds after all danger of frost has passed and soil is warm.
- FertilizeMay and June88% of varieties
Apply a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer twice during the summer for best blooming.
- PropagateJune–August38% of varieties
Easily root stem cuttings in moist soil during the warm season.
- DeadheadJune–September38% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to limit aggressive self-seeding
Do
- Provide full sun for vibrant blooms
- Water sparingly during drought conditions 🌱
- Water infrequently but deeply 🌱
- Provide full sun for vibrant foliage
- Fertilize monthly with a succulent-specific fertilizer
Avoid
- Plant in heavy clay soil
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Portulaca
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on stems | Apply neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Portulaca
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist, sandy soil in spring
- Keep soil lightly moist for 1 week
- Place in full sun for germination
- Germination occurs in 7–14 days
Cuttings
- Snip healthy stem segments in late spring
- Allow cuttings to callus for 1–2 days
- Plant in well-drained soil
- Water lightly after planting
- Roots develop in 2–4 weeks
Portulaca questions
How many types of Portulaca are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Portulaca varieties. The most popular — ranked by 65 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Portulaca grow in?
Across its varieties, Portulaca covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Portulaca bloom?
Most Portulaca varieties bloom in late summer, mid-summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Portulaca should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Portulaca in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
