Purslane is the popular name by which the Purslane Oleraceaa plant native to India that is highly appreciated for its shape. Other names by which it is known is Day Flower or Cat Flower. But, How to have a purslane and what care does it need?
If you are thinking about having a plant and you need to know what care it needs, then we give you the keys to achieve it.
Purslane characteristics
Purslane is a plant that does not grow too large. It normally reaches 30 centimeters in height and is creeping, that is, it will not grow too high. It is characterized by having smooth red stems, from which leaves grow on both ends. These are wide, thick and strong green, easily measuring 3 centimeters.
It gives flowers in spring, of a different color, although the usual is yellow (red, orange, white, purple …) and little ones. But the most striking of these, and that is the reason why they are known as Day Flower, is that the flowers open only in the morning and remain open for a few hours, but then close until the next day.
Purslane that
Now that you know purslane a little more in depth, it is time for you to know what you have to take care of so that it always stays healthy and contributes, either to your garden or to your pot, a unique color.
To do this, you should pay attention to the following:
Lighting
In order to grow well, one of the care of purslane is that it has a lot of light. In fact, it is one of the plants that should be in the sun directly. If you have it in a pot and indoors, you should place it in a place where it can be exposed as much as possible to sunlight.
Of course, keep in mind that a purslane indoors will flourish more when it has not only natural light, but also artificial light.
Temperature
Purslane adapts well to different environments and tolerates heat and cold relatively well. Now as for the cold, if the temperatures drop below 10 degrees the plant suffers a lot. To the point that it rots and dies.
Earth
When planting, you need to provide a substrate that is poor in organic matter. Unlike other plants, this one does not need it, but it must have good drainage.
Does that mean that it does not tolerate other substrates? You can try with others, because it adapts well to them, but really the needs of purslane go through land with little organic matter. Keep in mind that it is capable of growing in rock crevices.
Both in the garden and in a pot this will give you a lot of play, since you not only have to plant it in the ground, but you can create designs with stones or rocks that will give it more beauty.
Irrigation
Regarding irrigation, it is important to distinguish two seasons: winter and summer.
- In winterIf where you live is usually cool, it will be enough to water it once every fifteen days (twice a month). If the weather is rather temperate, you will have to do it once a week.
- In summerAs a general rule, you will have to water it twice a week, but if the climate where you live is very hot, then you may have to water it one day and one.
Fertilizer
It is important that, at the beginning of autumn, a liquid manure, to be able to be rich in phosphorus. This should be provided every 15 days for further development but also protection of the plant in the face of low temperatures.
Pruning
Purslane pruning is carried out throughout the year because it is very fast growing. It branches a lot on the stems and, in a short time, is capable of growing invading the space of other plants. That is why you have to be cutting it often.
When cutting it, it is convenient that only do a maintenance pruning in summer, fall and winter While, for early spring, do a larger one to heal the plant (remove sea branches, relieve the load on the plant, etc.).
Plagues and diseases
One of the advantages that purslane offers you is its great resistance to diseases. Nevertheless, pests can easily attack it, and make it go away. And is that the leaves are a succulent delicacy for these animals that do not hesitate to devour it. If you have pests of this type you will see that the leaves are nibbled, either with holes or the entire leaf.
What can really damage the plant, in addition to mollusks and birds, is rot, which can be caused by improper watering or by cold.
Multiplication
Purslane can be multiplied in two different ways:
- Through seeds, which are planted in spring and germinate after approximately two weeks. These are easy to find at nurseries or specialty plant stores.
- By cuttingscutting stems from an adult plant and planting them in the ground so that they develop roots and, with it, a new plant. In this case, using water to develop roots is not the most appropriate because excessive watering can rot it. It is better to plant it in the ground and, even if it takes longer, to leave it that way.
Curiosities of purslane
Something that you may not know about this plant is that it has many uses for health. They used it since ancient times, and it is used to treat urinary system infections, constipation, for homeopathy (relieving bites, sores, etc.).
It is rich in vitamin C, beta carotene, fatty acid and omega 3, which makes it a good ally to combat arteriosclerosis, the cardiovascular system, obesity, and as a cleanser and cleanser for the liver.
In addition to medical use, it is also used in the kitchenespecially in salads (raw) or as a garnish).
Now that you know the purslane and its care, would you dare to have one in your garden or in a pot at home?
