The Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora) is perfect for water-starved Bay Area gardens

Moss Rose (Portulaca grandiflora)

Here in the SF Bay Area we’re finding ourselves once again in a water crunch. So drought-tolerant plants such as California natives as well as succulents are back in style. One plant that never seems to fall out of favor here is the Moss Rose or Portulaca grandiflora.

Native to South America, Moss Rose thrives in the heat and we have plenty of heat to offer here in the bay. Portulaca grandiflora isn’t fussy about soil.

In fact, where other plants may struggle, Moss Rose performs brilliantly. Rock gardens, parking strips, abandoned lots; nothing fazes them. They also look great grow happily in hanging baskets, pots or as bank covers.

Moss Roses are low growing plants with narrow, succulent-fleshy leaves. They are about 6” high and have a trailing habit. Their flowers are pure in color and come in single or double-flowered varieties of orange, peach, yellow, pink, rose, white, and red. Their blooms seem to come non-stop from late spring until the heavy frost.

It’s easiest to purchase them in 6 packs form a local nursery; however you can start them as seed fairly easily. The seeds do like to be pre-chilled for a week before planting and need to be completely covered as they sprout best in total darkness. Sprinkle seeds directly into the bed or container that will be their permanent home.

Portulaca likes regular water when they're first planted, but once established they need only light watering (don't let them dry out all the way like cacti). Try these colorful ladies in the hottest parts of your yard such as on the hot cement in pots by the pool.

Interested in reading more gardening articles by Chris McLaughlin? Go to Vegetable Gardener and Home Gardening at Foodie Mama. Chris can be reached at sfgardeningexaminer@gmail.com or her website The Savvy Plant.