10 Plants That THRIVE in Full Summer Sun

3. Portulaca (Moss Rose): Tough & Beautiful Groundcover

Okay, let’s move on to a plant that I swear must have superpowers when it comes to surviving tough conditions. If you’ve got a spot where the sun just bakes all day long and everything else you’ve tried has sizzled, you have to meet Portulaca. You might also know it as Moss Rose!

I remember the first time I really paid attention to Moss Rose. It was growing in that dreaded “hell strip” – you know, that little patch between the sidewalk and the street? Nothing ever seemed to survive there, but this little plant was just covered in these intensely colored flowers, looking totally unbothered. Talk about impressive! It’s truly one of the toughest plants out there for hot, dry spots.

The Ultimate Heat & Drought Survivor

When we say Portulaca is extremely heat and drought-tolerant, we are not kidding around. This plant thrives in conditions that would make most others just give up. Think blazing full sun all day long, reflected heat off pavement, sandy soil – bring it on!

How does it do it? Well, take a close look at its leaves. They’re often kinda fleshy or succulent, sometimes almost needle-like.¹ The plant stores water in those leaves, which is its secret weapon for surviving dry spells.² It’s basically a flowering succulent! This makes it one of the best low water plants you can find once it gets its roots established. Just remember, like our friend Lantana, give it regular water when you first plant it until it settles in.

Jewel Tones & Interesting Habits

Now, don’t let its toughness fool you into thinking it’s not beautiful. The flowers are absolutely stunning! They come in these incredible, vibrant jewel tones – think shocking pink, electric orange, sunshine yellow, ruby red, pure white. They often look like tiny, ruffled roses, which is where the “Moss Rose” name comes from.³ These blooms bring such a trendy touch of intense color.

Here’s a funny little quirk about Portulaca flowers: they usually close up in the evening or on really overcast days. It used to puzzle me until I realized they really need that bright sun to fully open. It’s kinda neat, actually – like they’re solar-powered!

The plant itself is typically low-growing and has a spreading habit, making it a fantastic groundcover for sunny areas.⁴ The foliage itself adds a nice texture even when the flowers take a break.

Easiest Care Ever? Pretty Much!

Want to know the secret to success with Portulaca? Well-draining soil. And I mean really well-draining. This plant absolutely cannot stand to have its roots sitting in waterlogged soil; it’ll just rot. If you have heavy clay, you’ll definitely want to amend it heavily with compost and maybe even sand or grit, or better yet, plant Portulaca in containers or raised beds where you can control the soil mix. Think cactus mix – that’s the kind of drainage it loves.

Once it’s established, you truly water sparingly. Let the soil get properly dry before you water again. It’s one of those plants you’re more likely to kill with kindness (aka overwatering) than neglect!

And the best part? No deadheading needed! The flowers just kinda fade away gracefully, and the plant keeps churning out new buds. Talk about super easy care! It’s absolutely perfect for hot, dry spots, tumbling over walls in rock gardens, or spilling over the edges of containers and hanging baskets.⁵ If you’ve got a tricky sunny spot, Portulaca is your problem solver.

So, if you need a beautiful, tough-as-nails plant that brings vibrant color to the hottest, driest parts of your yard with almost zero fuss, Portulaca is your guy. It’s proof that you don’t need perfect conditions to have gorgeous blooms!

Feeling inspired by these tough beauties? Well, next up is a plant that combines prairie hardiness with stunning, distinctive flowers that butterflies just adore. Click the “next” button below to learn about the amazing Coneflower…