The Home Growns
8. Purslane: The Edible Heat-Loving Succulent
Let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite container plants – purslane! I discovered this little gem completely by accident when I was searching for something that could survive the brutal heat on my south-facing patio. Not only did it thrive, but it completely transformed my container gardening game.
What Makes Purslane Special
First off, let’s talk about why purslane is such a superstar. This succulent ground cover isn’t just pretty – it’s practically indestructible! The fleshy leaves store water like tiny reservoirs, making it incredibly resilient during heat waves. I’ve seen mine bounce back from temperatures well over 95°F (35°C) without breaking a sweat.
The flowers are absolutely stunning, opening up like tiny jewels in the morning sun. You’ll get blooms in vibrant shades of yellow, pink, orange, and magenta, sometimes all on the same plant! What’s really cool is that they close up in the evening, giving you a daily flower show when they reopen each morning.
Growing and Care Tips
Here’s something most people don’t realize – purslane actually prefers poor soil conditions. I learned this the hard way after initially planting it in rich potting mix and watching it produce more leaves than flowers. Now I use a well-draining succulent mix with about 50% sand, and it blooms like crazy!
When it comes to watering, less is definitely more. I typically water mine:
- Once a week during peak summer
- Every 2-3 weeks in spring and fall
- Almost never during winter dormancy
The Edible Bonus
Did you know that purslane is actually a superfood? The leaves pack more omega-3 fatty acids than some fish oils! I love adding the slightly lemony, crisp leaves to summer salads. Just make sure you’re harvesting from plants you’ve grown yourself, not wild ones that might have been treated with chemicals.
Container Design Ideas
My favorite way to use purslane is as a spiller plant in container arrangements. It cascades beautifully over the edges and plays well with other heat-loving plants. I’ve had great success pairing it with:
- Upright salvias for height contrast
- Lantana for additional color
- Sedums for texture variation
The key is giving it enough space to spread – trust me, it will fill in quickly! A single plant can easily cover a 2-foot diameter area in just a few months.
Ready to discover another amazing heat-tolerant container plant? Click “next” to learn about Salvia, a pollinator magnet that brings both beauty and beneficial insects to your garden. I’ll share some fascinating tips about how these aromatic plants can actually help protect your other container plants from pests!
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