Portulaca grandiflora

RHS Plant Profile

rose moss

Other common names

eleven o'clock, Kentucky moss, large-flowered purslane, moss rose, sun plant, wax pink, Mexican rose

Annual Biennial Cactus Succulent

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A spreading annual, with prostrate to ascending reddish stems and small, linear, fleshy green leaves. Single or double flowers that open in the sun are produced in summer, in bright shades of red, pink, yellow or white

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 1 year
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Portulacaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Spreading branched, Bushy
Genus: Portulaca are slightly succulent annuals with fleshy leaves and cup-shaped flowers in shades of red, purple, pink, yellow and white
Name Status: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun; thrives in poor, sandy soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown at 13-18°C in mid-spring; plant out after frosts, taking care to minimise root disturbance. Plants may self-seed in place

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Deadhead if seed is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally disease-free, though seedlings can be susceptible to damping off