Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
A Carpet of Colour for Sunny Gardens πΈβοΈ
Available at: happygreenery.in
π Contact: 6362209490
πΈ Instagram: #lotusworld632
π± About Portulaca
Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora), popularly known as Moss Rose, Sun Plant, or Nine O'Clock Flower, is a charming, low-growing flowering plant admired for its vibrant blooms and succulent foliage. Native to South America, Portulaca is one of the best choices for creating colourful ground covers, edging borders, hanging baskets, and container displays.
Its rose-like flowers bloom abundantly under bright sunlight, transforming gardens into dazzling carpets of colour throughout the summer season.
β¨ Key Features
- πΈ Produces attractive rose-like flowers
- πΏ Succulent, drought-tolerant foliage
- βοΈ Thrives in hot and sunny conditions
- πͺ΄ Suitable for pots, hanging baskets, and borders
- π Available in a wide range of colours
- π Attracts bees and butterflies
- π§ Requires minimal maintenance
πΊ Flower Colours Available
- β€οΈ Red
- π Yellow
- π©· Pink
- π€ White
- π§‘ Orange
- π Purple
- π Mixed Double Varieties
- πΈ Bi-coloured Selections
π Growing Requirements
Light
- Requires full sunlight.
- Needs at least 6β8 hours of direct sun daily for profuse flowering.
Temperature
- Ideal temperature: 20β35Β°C
- Performs exceptionally well during hot summers.
Soil
Portulaca prefers well-drained, sandy soil and does not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Recommended Potting Mix
- 40% Garden Soil
- 30% Sand
- 20% Cocopeat
- 10% Compost
π§ Watering Schedule
Being a succulent plant, Portulaca requires less water.
Summer
- Water 2β3 times per week.
Rainy Season
- Water only when soil becomes dry.
Winter
- Water once every 7β10 days.
Note: Overwatering is the most common cause of plant decline.
πΏ Fertilizer Recommendation
Apply fertilizer once every 30β45 days.
Recommended fertilizers:
- Vermicompost
- Liquid Seaweed Fertilizer
- Balanced NPK (19:19:19)
Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages foliage growth over flowering.
π± Propagation
Portulaca can be propagated easily through:
Stem Cuttings
- Take healthy 8β10 cm cuttings.
- Remove lower leaves.
- Plant directly into moist, sandy soil.
- Roots develop within a few weeks.
πͺ΄ Landscape Uses
- Ground cover planting
- Rock gardens
- Border edging
- Hanging baskets
- Terrace gardens
- Window boxes
- Container displays
- Vertical garden accents
π Benefits
- β
Continuous flowering during warm months
- β
Drought tolerant and water-efficient
- β
Easy to grow and maintain
- β
Excellent ground cover plant
- β
Attracts pollinators
- β
Ideal for beginners and busy gardeners
β οΈ Care Tips
- Ensure maximum sunlight exposure.
- Remove faded flowers to encourage fresh blooms.
- Avoid overwatering.
- Use well-drained soil mixtures.
- Prune leggy growth occasionally to maintain compactness.
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