Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)
Sale price $19.95LIMITED RELEASE! Succulent Supergreen Rich in Omega-3s
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), also known as Verdolaga, Little Hogweed, and Duckweed, is a nutrient-dense edible succulent enjoyed in traditional diets around the world. It’s prized for its slightly tangy, lemony flavor and is notable for being one of the best plant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, along with vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, potassium, and iron.
This sprawling, ground-hugging herb thrives in hot, dry conditions and poor soils where other greens may struggle. Its succulent leaves and stems have a pleasant crunch and citrusy snap, making them delicious raw in salads, smoothies, and sandwiches or cooked into soups, stir-fries, and stews. Purslane is also a fast-growing, low-maintenance plant that works beautifully as an edible groundcover, container plant, or naturalized garden addition.
Cultural & Culinary Significance
Purslane has been eaten for generations across Mediterranean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern cuisines. The crisp, succulent leaves and stems add a refreshing lemony tang to fresh salads and sandwiches and can also be cooked into soups, stews, and stir-fries. Its nutritional profile, particularly its omega-3 content and variety of vitamins and minerals, has made it a valued edible green around the world.
Why Grow Purslane?
- Enjoy crisp, succulent greens with a refreshing tangy, lemony flavor.
- Add a nutrient-dense edible rich in omega-3 fatty acids and essential vitamins and minerals.
- Grow a fast-growing groundcover that thrives in heat, dry conditions, and poor soils.
- Harvest versatile leaves and stems for salads, smoothies, sandwiches, soups, stir-fries, and stews.
- Enjoy an easy-care plant that can reseed readily and help shade soil while attracting beneficial insects.
Growing Tips
Plant Purslane in full sun and provide well-draining soil. This fast-growing succulent thrives in hot, dry conditions and tolerates poor soils, making it exceptionally low maintenance once established. Water moderately while plants are getting established, then allow the soil to dry between waterings. Its sprawling growth habit makes it useful as an edible groundcover or container plant. Purslane can reseed readily, so harvest regularly or remove seed-producing plants if you want to control where it spreads.
| Scientific Name | Portulaca oleracea |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Purslane, Verdolaga, Duckweed, Little Hogweed |
| Family | Portulacaceae (Purslane Family) |
| Origin | Cosmopolitan; likely native to Asia or the Mediterranean |
| Plant Type | Succulent Edible Herb |
| Life Cycle | Annual (reseeds freely) |
| Food Forest Layer | Groundcover / Herb Layer |
| Mature Size | 4–8 in tall, spreading to 12–18 in wide |
| Light | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Low; drought-tolerant |
| Harvest Season | Spring through Fall |
| Time to Harvest | 30–40 days from planting |
| Self-Fertile | Yes |
| Growth Rate | Very Fast |
| Zones | USDA Zones 3–11 (grown as annual or self-seeding) |
| Florida Native | Naturalized; widely established |
| Propagation | Seeds, Cuttings |
| Seasonal Characteristics | Warm-season annual; sensitive to frost |
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