Green Purslane

Purslane is a superfood for your garden and kitchen! These succulent-leaved greens with tiny yellow flowers are chock-full of nutrition, packed with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Purslane can be cooked like spinach or eaten raw. Add purslane to salads, smoothies, sandwiches, and other culinary creations to add nutritious greens with a mild, slightly lemony taste. Purslane is easy to grow, able to thrive in dry and hot conditions, and its adaptability makes it a sustainable choice for gardeners who want to add an abundance of essential nutrients to their garden and table. Transform your garden into a source of vitality and nutrition with Purslane and promote well-being right in your backyard.

Also Known As: Verdolaga, Pigweed, Little Hogweed, Pusley, Wild Portulaca, Golden Purslane, Ma Chi Xian, Garden Purslane, Summer Purslane, Rose Moss, Time-weed, Kerengge.

Plant Name:	Purslane, Green
Latin Name:	Portulaca oleracea
Days to Germinate:	10-17
Days to Harvest:	28-45
Plant Height:	4 - 16 Inches
Spread:	2 Feet
Growth Habit:	Rosette
USDA Zones:	2-11
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 8-12 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots.

Plants grow best in soil with lots of organic matter. You may optionally add fertilizer or organic material such as compost, leaves, or rotted hay to mix into the soil at this point. For small gardens, scatter 2-3 tablespoons of fertilizer evenly and work into the top 2-3 inches of soil for each hill or 2 foot by 2 foot planting area. For larger gardens, scatter 2-3 pounds of a complete fertilizer for each 100 square feet of planting area. Work fertilizer or organic material into the soil and leave the surface smooth.

Form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 12 inches apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage.

Planting:

Purslane require high temperatures to germinate, optimally between 70F-85F. Purslane is sensitive to cold and may suffer in chilling temperatures.

Starting Indoors: For an earlier harvest, you may optionally start planting indoors in containers 2-4 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when the soil temperature is above 70F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the holes, burying roots in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant in spring when the soil warms to at least 70F. For fall crops, direct sow seeds outdoors 6-8 weeks before the first frost. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 8 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant about 5 seeds per hole or broadcast and separate once seedlings emerge. If choosing to thin to the strongest plant, determine the strongest and healthiest plant, then remove all other plants, narrowing to a single plant per hole. Cover seeds thinly with soil and water after planting. For a continuous harvest, plant successive crops every 2 to 3 weeks.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	8 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches

Care During the Season:

Watering: Water the plants deeply, soaking the soil to a depth of 6-8 inches, once a week. If there is no rainfall, water 2 times a week. Sandy soils may need to be watered more often than heavy clay soils. Mulching around the plants helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Weeding: Keeping plants weed-free improves production. If plowing or hoeing, do not dig deeper than 1 inch to prevent from cutting the feeder roots.

Fertilizing: Once seedlings are established, 3-4 weeks after planting, you may optionally apply 2 tablespoons of a complete fertilizer around each hole, or 1-2 pounds per 100 square feet, without letting the fertilizer touch the plants. Water plants after fertilizing.

Insecticides: Insecticides may be used to protect plants. Bt-based insecticides and sulfur are organic options that can be used for prevention. Sulfur also has fungicidal properties and helps in controlling many diseases. Before using a pesticide, read the label and follow cautions, warnings and directions.

Diseases: If spots or mold appear, treat plants with an approved fungicide. Neem oil, sulfur, and other fungicides may be used. When using fungicides always follow label directions.

Harvesting:

Purslane can be harvested once grown to about 4 to 6 inches tall, typically around 4 to 6 weeks after planting. For the best flavor and texture, pick the outer stems and leaves as needed, leaving the center to continue growing. If you prefer to harvest the whole plant, cut it near the base when it's still young and tender, but before it starts flowering, as the taste can become bitter once it bolts. The best time to harvest is in the morning, when the leaves are crisp and full of moisture. After harvesting, store your Purslane in the refrigerator in a sealed container or wrapped in a damp paper towel to keep it fresh for a few days.