Common Purslane is an annual succulent in the Portulacaceae family. It has extensive distribution around the world, mainly thought to be human-caused. It is unclear whether it is native to North America but is generally considered introduced. Plant in full sun in well-drained soils. It is drought-tolerant once established. Propagation is by seed and stem cuttings. It has smooth, reddish, mostly prostrate stems and alternate fleshy oval leaves. Leaves tend to be clustered at joints and stem ends. Flowers are small, yellow, with five heart-shaped petals that can appear any time of year. They can be found in the cluster of leaves at the stem end and they open only briefly in the morning. After flowering, each flower is replaced by a seed capsule. The capsules will split open, releasing dark brown to almost black seeds. This plant has a taproot and fibrous secondary roots that are able to tolerate poor, compacted soils and drought conditions. Use in containers, on slopes and banks, in rock gardens or as edging along patios and walkways. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Insect problems include aphids, gnats, snails and slugs. In wet areas, it may be affected by stem or root rot. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti," a plant identification course created in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Portulaca .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Horizontal; Prostrate
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Oblong; Obovate; Ovate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Fleshy; Smooth
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Smooth, fleshy (thick and succulent) oval leaves that tend to be clustered at joints and stem ends. In bright sunlight, the leaves can take on a tinge of reddish-purple. Young leaves have a maroon tint on the underside.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow
Flower value
Edible; Long Bloom Season
Flower form
Cyme; Solitary
Flower shape
Star
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers are small (1/4 inch), yellow, and have five heart-shaped petals that can appear any time of year. They can be found in the cluster of leaves at the stem end and they open only briefly in the morning hours.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
An egg-shaped capsule that will scatter tiny, black, shiny seed when it splits open.
Stems are round, thick and succulent. They can be light green to reddish-brown in color. Each stem has multiple branches that create circular mats.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Western Asia, Europe and Africa
Distribution
Global, cosmopolitan
Wildlife value
It is a food source for wildlife. Varieties of sawfly mine the interior of the leaves or feed on the leaves. Sparrow eat the seeds, as well as the Prairie Deer Mouse. Pigs and deer also eat the leaves. The seeds, when eaten by White-tailed deer, pass through their digestive tract and remain viable.
Attracts
Bees
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Flowers; Seeds; Nuts; Stems
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Stems, leaves, and flowers are edible and have a slightly sour and salty taste. It cooks similar to spinach. It is eaten throughout Europe, the Middle East, and Mexico. Is edible and very nutritious because it contains high amounts of omega 3 fatty acids, significant amounts of vitamins A and C and anti-oxidants. Leaves, stems and flowers can be eaten raw, as in a salad, or boiled. Taste is sour or tart and salty. Mucilaginous quality works to thicken soups or stews. Seeds are also edible.Contains oxalates that can be toxic in if eaten in high amounts.